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AIBU?

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Original poster

Flashing Christmas Lights [Grumble]

123 replies

IceRebel · 13/12/2018 07:23

Now let me start off by saying I love Christmas, but my goodness after a shit nights sleep I could happily skip to January and be done with it all. My neighbours have some obnoxious blue and multi coloured Christmas lights, which they have set to stay on all night. Lucky me, I get a crappy lights show keeping me awake.

I bet they wouldn't enjoy them flashing in their living room, so why do they; and others like them, insist on having them on the outside of their house for others to suffer? Angry

TL:/DR AIBU to think that people with flashing Christmas Lights shouldn't inflict them on others?

OP posts:
Grace212 · 13/12/2018 18:16

this is worth a study

do people who put those lights up really think that others enjoy looking at them? Blue flashing emergency lights are def the worst and I don't even drive at the moment!

so if they like flashing lights so much, why don't they put them inside their own house? Likewise the huge Santa etc - presumably they see these things for all of 5 mins a day, so are they really thinking "oh lots of people will enjoy this so I'll spend lots of money and energy"?

Original poster
IceRebel · 13/12/2018 19:01

Oww lots of replies since I last posted I just wanted to update you all. I spoke to the neighbour in question, very polite explaining that they had kept me awake for most of the night and could she please turn them off. She said they couldn't be that bad as they hadn't kept her awake. (GAHHHH they're on the front of your house, of course they didn't bother you) However, she has promised to turn them off before she goes to bed, if she remembers. I mentioned a timer, so she wouldn't have to remember and she told me she didn't see why she needed to buy one as they weren't bothering her, just me.

Xmas Sad
OP posts:
Grace212 · 13/12/2018 19:03

"she told me she didn't see why she needed to buy one as they weren't bothering her, just me."

OP how did you not rant at her for being a selfish CF?

no...wait...I mean, why didn't you rant at her? she deserves to be ranted at for that statement.

go round and ring the doorbell before bed. She'll remember to turn them off.

Nomorechickens · 13/12/2018 19:07

I hate flashing lights too. They should be banned, along with noisy fireworks!
In case you were thinking of going to IKEA to get some blackout curtains - they have a new sort for £25, don't bother, they don't block out the light very much at all.

OneInAMillionYou · 13/12/2018 19:15

Such an appalling waste of electricity as well. Flashing lights should not be sold to the masses, people are just not bright enough to realise the impact they have on others. Migraine, epilepsy, sleepless nights and it's supposed to be the season of goodwill.
Your neighbour sounds vile.

CheshireChat · 13/12/2018 19:25

They're arses!

My tree lights can be used outdoor too and most of the modes are- 'migraine inducing', 'seizure inducing' and 'I'll just cut them, prison is better'. They're on steady, even the 4yo can't put up with the manic flashing.

HelenaDove · 13/12/2018 19:30

OP i would happily swap you your neighbours Christmas lights for the pungent strong smell of my downstairs neighbours skunk.

the lights will come down in January but my neighbour will continue to pollute my flat with his habit.

Original poster
IceRebel · 13/12/2018 19:45

go round and ring the doorbell before bed. She'll remember to turn them off.

You're braver than I, do you want to come round and do it for me. Xmas Grin

Nomorechickens Don't worry I have no intention of shelling out for black out blinds or an eye mask. They're her bloody lights and she should deal with it (plus wire cutters are cheaper) Wink

OP posts:
Grace212 · 13/12/2018 19:53

OP I don't have the flaps to cut the wires, so I'd have to confront in person.

Why is it we get teens puncturing car tyres round here, but can't get them to vandalise flashing lights?!

Original poster
IceRebel · 13/12/2018 20:03

Your neighbour sounds vile.

After tonights chat i'm inclined to agree with you.

Sorry to hear about your neighbours problems Helena Although I wouldn't count on the decorations coming down in January, I fear if I complain too much she might keep them up on purpose. Xmas Shock

OP posts:
Snowwontbelong · 13/12/2018 20:07

Op after the festivities are over may I suggest wind-chimes in the garden closest to her window?

Original poster
IceRebel · 13/12/2018 20:29

Why is it we get teens puncturing car tyres round here, but can't get them to vandalise flashing lights?!

Good question, I might find a group of suspicious looking youths and bung them some money to do the dirty deed for me. Wink

may I suggest wind-chimes

A great idea, however I would also have to endure the noise and I loath wind chimes (although slightly less than flashing Christmas lights)

OP posts:
Grace212 · 13/12/2018 20:36

you must tell us if she switches them off OP

I hope she does. Otherwise I might have to ask for her address Grin

HelenaDove · 13/12/2018 20:38

Ta Ice Rebel I do sympathize There is one up the top of our road whose lights are so bright they can probably be seen from space.

Original poster
IceRebel · 13/12/2018 20:38

Grace They're still on at the minute, it might be a late night.

OP posts:
CheshireChat · 13/12/2018 20:46

Still pretty early TBF, though I would've turned them off if I knew they bothered someone.

Mind you, we used to live across the street from Santa's Grotto wannabe, it was great as directions for delivery drivers Grin.

I like outdoor decorations, sadly I can't get any this year, but will try and nab some in January sales.

shortgreengiraffe · 13/12/2018 21:00

Wow she sounds a massive twat. Could you buy her a cheap timer pre-set to come on at 4pm and off at 10pm?

IncyWincyGrownUp · 13/12/2018 21:07

There’s a house on our walk home from school that has the softest turquoise lights around their door, they just slowly fade in and out. They’re glorious. They’re utterly spoiled by the house two doors down that looks like an homage to emergency vehicle lighting.

Grace212 · 13/12/2018 21:11

some great descriptors here

"jail would be better" lights

"homage to emergency services" lights - so many of those around.

8misskitty8 · 14/12/2018 00:41

Directly opposite me the neighbours have blue lights in the tree in their front garden.
They flash, chase then do a weird static buzzing effect like a strobe light.
They now have gold lights on the Christmas tree inside which do the same right at the living room window.
A few days ago white lights doing the same thing were strung up around their front door porch roof.
None of the lights are flashing/strobing in unison so the effect of all 3 is dreadful on the eyes.
They put them on in the morning when they get up (dark still here in Scotland) and then when they get home until they go to bed. So hardly any respite from them.
I’m just waiting on someone having a fit outside their house. If movies have flashing strobe effect lights they have a warning. That house needs one too !

Original poster
IceRebel · 14/12/2018 07:56

11.30pm people, they went off at 11.30 (well about 11.34pm to be exact. I was going to update you all, but I was just so pleased I could sleep that I just conked out.

OP posts:
Roussette · 14/12/2018 08:20

I think it's so selfish to put up massive strings of flashing lights. Bottom line is... you don't see them. All your neighbours do! You're sat inside totally oblivious whilst your neighbours have this flickering coming into their bedrooms/lounge.

But people generally have got more selfish and don't care. Thank god my neighbours don't have these monstrosities. One has a flashing star opposite me, but it's only on for a few hours in the evening so doesn't bother me. Everyone else who has lights have subdued static ones.

Grace212 · 14/12/2018 08:54

OP what time do you go to bed? I'm sensing she didn't do enough.

keep those wire cutters handy....

PoisonousSmurf · 14/12/2018 09:04

But, I've also noticed that new light sets have in built timers. I really don't know why anyone would want lights on all night. Have they not heard of digital timers? I know the old fashioned ones can be annoying (noise wise).

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