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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:
minifingers · 21/12/2013 20:11

I have a lovely bush - all bright and glittery.

I know my neighbours appreciate it because they've told me.

Smile
Philoslothy · 21/12/2013 20:13

Our house is all lit up, we are rather uncouth and brash and possibly have more money than sense.

We also raise a lot of money for charity through running a competition in our village for best decorated house. We also host the village Christmas fete which also raises money .

AmazingBouncingFerret · 21/12/2013 20:16

minifingers Grin

Joysmum · 21/12/2013 20:18

I live looking at the lights and like to think that my neighbours (who aren't strangers) and passers by (who are) feel happier from seeing them.

My hubby assures me there's nothing nicer than a nicely trimmed and decorated bush.

loveolives · 21/12/2013 20:18

No idea but it is incredibly tacky and embarrassing.

ilovepowerhoop · 21/12/2013 20:20

I like seeing them on the dark nights. Sometimes we drive about looking for nice bright decorations. We have blue icicles and a multicoloured rope light along the gutter and some lit silhouettes at the front windows (star, tree, bell and bauble)

starsandunicorns · 21/12/2013 20:28

We have solar fairy lights on the flat balaocny its pretty in the dark all year round

On xmas eve me and dp drive around the area looking at the lights

Gluezilla · 21/12/2013 20:29

I have a lovely bush so bright and glittery

Howling !!!!!!!! Grin

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2013 20:30

I think there is a fine line between tasteful and tacky.

DeWe · 21/12/2013 20:31

Probably because their dc moaned "Why don't we have lights outside? it's not fair! Everyone else has them..." until they'd had enough and gave in for a peaceful life.

I won't give in!

HermioneWeasley · 21/12/2013 20:32

I think it's incredibly generous, I appreciate our neighbours who do it

Pagwatch · 21/12/2013 20:34

Its to make your house look pretty isn't it?
The same reason you paint your front door etc - surely?

HarrietSchulenberg · 21/12/2013 20:38

I quite like other people's outdoor lights.
But, the people who live at the back of me have put flashing lights on their shed. Facing, not their house, but mine. Flashing. Fucking. Lights.
All night. Every night.
My bedroom is like a bad disco.

aquashiv · 21/12/2013 20:45

Christmas lights are the new zeitgeist.
I succumbed this year as they were half price in B&Q last week.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 21/12/2013 20:46

very nice to brighten up depressing horrible long dark winter days....

we are on battery, sono big enegery here and also small lights.

Philoslothy · 21/12/2013 20:49

Mine are not flashing , although we don't have immediate neighbours. I hope they are tacky though, is that not the point?

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2013 20:49

When I was little it was quite rare to see outside lights. Now they are everywhere, it doesn't seem special to see them any more.

mrscumberbatch · 21/12/2013 20:54

We do it. I love it as does Dd.

Most houses on our street put something out and it makes the whole place look friendly and inviting.

Very cheering when it's dark by 4pm

VikingLady · 21/12/2013 22:26

I used to loathe them (vaguely goth/depressing tendencies) but n ot I have a toddler DD I am a huge fan! The number of tantrums I've headed off by pointing out sparkly lights!

That said, our ndn was burgled last week, and the police said burglars tend to target houses with a lot of outside Christmas lights. The thinking is that these are people who clearly do a lot for Christmas, so will have a lot of presents already, and who have money to burn, so they will be expensive presents! Spot on with our ndn.

womma · 21/12/2013 22:26

I miss it. We used to have someone near us who had all singing, all dancing completely lit up house with a really bad fake Santa on a ladder as well, I loved it, even when it was still there in February.

Now we've moved south of the river, no one near us does it. I'm not volunteering to step up mind you.

MidniteScribbler · 21/12/2013 22:28

Christmas is summer here, so everyone heads outside. Lovely to go for a walk in the evening and see all the lights on. It's also nice to head out the front of the house and hose the garden while saying hi to everyone who is having their evening walks.

NewtRipley · 21/12/2013 22:29

DS1 has been obsessed by lights since he was tiny. It is the highlight of his year - adding exterior lights to the interior ones he has in his room all the time.

Why assume competitiveness?

Philoslothy · 21/12/2013 22:34

Well any burglars will be disappointed with our house, lit up like Blackpool on crack but no presents

Kellylesley · 21/12/2013 22:35

Because I want to, it looks lovely and I love Christmas, the rest of our street do too and it's really nice, no one goes crazy just a little string of lights across the front of each house.

stillenacht · 21/12/2013 22:43

HarrietSchulenberg

Snap. My neighbours have done the same. Its dreadful. Instant migraineShock