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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas lights

53 replies

Mumof368 · 03/12/2020 19:28

I live in a bungalow with my ds2 whos 14 he has special needs. A few days ago I put lights up was round my bungalow as ds2 loves to see them flash .but today a neighbour knocked on my door and asked if I could turn them off because she works nights and she said she cant get to sleep when she comes home but the only window I can see is her landing and bathroom.but its different when there security light keeps flashing on and off at night lighting my bedroom up.i was gobsmacked.

OP posts:
Lockheart · 03/12/2020 19:31

Gobsmacked? Really? If so, you're very easily surprised.

Put some flashing lights up indoors instead.

SerenityFlowers · 03/12/2020 19:31

Tell her to draw her curtains.

Mrgrinch · 03/12/2020 19:32

Just turn them on to a setting where they don't flash.

PinkiOcelot · 03/12/2020 19:33

I would turn them off during the day anyway. You can’t see them properly in the light.

Elouera · 03/12/2020 19:34

I used to work nights and would always use a face mask when sleeping during the day! Even so, flashing lights when trying to sleep can be extremelly annoying.

Do you normally get on with that neighbour? What did you say?

A few options here depending on how good you get on and if you want to remain on good terms in the future with the neighbour. Change them to non-flashing and put something flashing on your tree inside, limit the flashing till a certain time or do nothing.

Original poster
Mumof368 · 03/12/2020 19:35

Ive had them up since I moved here 3 years they only just moved across the road from me.no body has ever complained about them before only have lights outside dont have inside lights have cats that like to chew things.

OP posts:
41weekswithno2 · 03/12/2020 19:36

I'd only have them on from around 4pm-10pm tbh. Do you have them on all the time?

Ronia · 03/12/2020 19:36

There have been several threads on here lately from the other side and the response has unanimously been that the posters should talk to neighbours and ask them to stop the lights flashing (and turn off at night). I get that this is daytime but of they're annoying her then you really have to do something about it.

Original poster
Mumof368 · 03/12/2020 19:37

They gave never spoke to me since day one ive lived here for 3 years and only one neighbour speaks to me the rest look down at me.my other old neighbours would not of said anything at all

OP posts:
WhatAreWordsWorth · 03/12/2020 19:39

Personally I love Christmas lights but I hate the flashing ones. I find them annoying, and based on a similar thread recently I think a lot of other people do too.

My solution would be to put some flashing lights up indoors and change your outside lights to a static setting that won’t annoy your neighbours.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/12/2020 19:41

Surely he’d enjoy flashing lights inside more?

Neighbours diagonally a way across from us have flashing lights on and they’re driving me nuts when I walk past, I’d be livid if we were opposite and could see them from inside. Curtains don’t stop something overly bright or flashy.

Original poster
Mumof368 · 03/12/2020 19:42

Yes they are on static now they dont really speak anyhow but for the sake of it less hassle just gonna leave on static.gonba ask my son in law to charge settings because I cant reach the buttons to change them.

OP posts:
Notapheasantplucker · 03/12/2020 19:44

I didn't even know it was a thing for people to tell others how to have their Christmas lights Confused

MrsMigginsMate · 03/12/2020 19:45

Someone posted the exact reverse of this scenario from the neighbours perspective a day or two ago!

ForeverInADay · 03/12/2020 19:45

Just leave them off until 3pm. They look best then anyway.

That said, I love Christmas lights and would be thrilled if my grumpy neighbours put some up to complement ours! I certainly would not be taking them down or not having them just because they objected.

It's lovely for your son Op.

ForeverInADay · 03/12/2020 19:47

@MrsMigginsMate Oh no. Probably my neighbours! One passively aggressively said that her children liked them. I think that was her way of saying she thinks they are hideous 😂

AlrightTreacle · 03/12/2020 19:48

I love Christmas lights, but flashing ones are annoying as fuck.

june2007 · 03/12/2020 19:49

No poiint having them on during the day.

Sherin18 · 03/12/2020 19:51

Yeah there’s not really any point them being on during the day time, you can’t see them very wel

Jenstar123 · 03/12/2020 19:59

What is the relevance of your child having special needs? Hmm

Original poster
Mumof368 · 03/12/2020 20:01

He loves anything that flashers etc.

OP posts:
41weekswithno2 · 03/12/2020 20:02

Honestly, just set them to come on for the evening until 10pm so you're not disturbing people's sleep.

BogRollBOGOF · 03/12/2020 20:04

I'm surprised that the light given off is that intrusive during daylight hours. Surely if you work night shifts, you'd have decent blackout cutains/ blinds anyway. How will they cope in the summer?

ForeverInADay · 03/12/2020 20:06

@Jenstar123 that wasn't really necessary. Lots of children with special needs are stimulated and captivated by lights, the twinkling in particular.

41weekswithno2 · 03/12/2020 20:09

@BogRollBOGOF it's dark in the morning and that's when the neighbour is likely trying to get to sleep after night shift