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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people put Xmas lights OUTSIDE their house?

75 replies

Scarletohello · 21/12/2013 17:33

Now don't get me wrong, I love Xmas lights ( and the more OTT the better) but considering the fact that the people inside don't get the benefit of them, it's only strangers that do, and how expensive energy is at the moment, what motivates people to put these lights up outside their house...?

OP posts:
AnnoyingOrange · 21/12/2013 17:35

We put lights on the trees in the garden and can see them through the windows

DaveBussell · 21/12/2013 17:35

I only put a single string of lanterns - it's nice for the little children in the street and I like coming home and seeing them.

BohemianGirl · 21/12/2013 17:35

In the case of our neighbours, it is competitive showwy offyness. Just like the competitive my-rocket-is-bigger-than-yours on bonfire night

Binkyridesagain · 21/12/2013 17:36

Some do it to raise money for charity.

RodneyTheChristmasElf · 21/12/2013 17:36

I love driving up to my house and being greeted by my illuminated polar bear. He's only a baby. I wanted a grown up full sized one :(

BohemianGirl · 21/12/2013 17:36

What I want to get in the sales are solar ropes or lights, that stay out all year, next door but two has these and they look lovely on a dusky summers evening

MagnifyingGlassSearch · 21/12/2013 17:38

I do it for other people's benefit because I feel I benefit from other people doing it
It's all in the Christmas spirit!

MidLifeCrys1s · 21/12/2013 17:38

It's welcoming to come home to and a good land mark for visitors; we have ours up all year.

DorothyGherkins · 21/12/2013 17:39

I think it should be obligatory to have outdoor Christmas lights! It s an absolute joy at a dark dismal time of the year to see pretty lights when on the school run or out shopping. Always makes me smile. Thank you to all those people with lovely outdoor displays. Its lovely to come home to your own house in the dark and see the prettiness awaiting you.

LambinsideaDuckinsideaTrout · 21/12/2013 17:39

I do it and I like to see it outside other houses. The street looks all lovely and welcoming and festive. LOVE IT! Xmas Grin

Salmotrutta · 21/12/2013 17:41

We do it.

And leave the curtains open to see them!

All very blingy tasteful of course Wink

HECTheHeraldAngelsSing · 21/12/2013 17:44

Because they like how it looks? Because they want it to look nice and festive outside their house? Because they can afford it?

I don't do it but I do like driving past and seeing those that have bothered. It looks nice.

Maybe they do it for people like me to enjoy?

So can I take this opportunity to say to you - thank you. It makes me feel all festive. Grin

wonderingsoul · 21/12/2013 17:44

i love seeing the lights and wondered this for a different reason.

i took my two dc out about 5ish, it was dark to go have a look around houses near ours. it was free, festive and we enjoyed it.

we got to one house which had out done themselfs.. their meduim sized garden..even the walls of the house was covered with moving santas//reindeers.. big inflatable glob with snow.. every inch was covered.

we where looking when one of the owners arrived home and asked why we where looking at their garden..

ill admit i was a bit speechless for a second before answering we where looking at their lovely decorations.. to which he he replied "well dont"

we left,, but i really couldnt help but think why the fuck go to all that trouble if you dont want people admiring the fucking things. if i was to do that i would expect people to stop and have a look or am i bu.

Original poster
Scarletohello · 21/12/2013 17:44

What lovely replies! I love them too. My parents were pretty
mean frugal so we never had them as a child so it's bit something I would ever do myself. Really appreciate all those who do tho, they are so pretty and welcoming ( and some of them look pretty dangerous to put up too..! )

OP posts:
Preciousbane · 21/12/2013 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Scarletohello · 21/12/2013 17:47

Wow can't believe the Scrooge who told you not to look at their lights. What a tosser! And totally missing the point...

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 21/12/2013 17:52

I don't understand what confuses you about them. You know councils and shops put decorations up for people to look at? It's the same thing on a smaller scale.

TeamSouthfields · 21/12/2013 17:52

I love lights!!

LynetteScavo · 21/12/2013 17:55

I love seeing nice lights on other peoples houses, and want to do the same.

There are a couple of really beautifully and tastefully decorated houses near me. My string of lights doesn't quite give back to the community as I would like.

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2013 17:56

I think they can be quite funny. Especially the competitive neighbours type ones. Don't like the awful piercing blue ones flashing all over the place.

The worst bit is in the daytime all you can see is wires trailing everywhere with waterproof boxes and stuff.

Salmotrutta · 21/12/2013 17:57

wondering - what an odd response from the man whose house it was! Confused

wonderingsoul · 21/12/2013 18:01

i know.. which is why i was a but uhhh when answering i thought it was really strange but maybe he was having a bad day...

Oblomov · 21/12/2013 18:02

I love lights. I love ours and I totally live other peoples.

steff13 · 21/12/2013 18:03

It's the norm here to put lights inside and outside. My daughter loves to go for a drive through the neighborhood looking at our neighbors' lights.

Lambsie · 21/12/2013 20:01

We have ones that dangle in front of our living room window. My son loves watching them twinkle. If we had anything like that in the house he would pull it down.