Neighbour asked us to stop our Christmas lights flashing

[SuddenlyISee]

Outside Christmas lights got put up on Sunday morning going around a couple of the windows at the front of the house (we live end terrace on a close).
We were out till late on Sunday evening so they were only on for probably an hour that day and then I switched them on when I got home from work at about 3:30 yesterday. Within an hour, my opposite neighbour knocked on my door and said that although he really likes the "Christmas cheer", could we not have them flashing all the time as they are disturbing him at night. They are turned off no later than 10pm as that is when we go to bed. There are multiple settings and I can't control that my children keep changing them when I'm not in the room where the plug is. I just feel like I'm going to spend the next few weeks worrying that our lights are offending him and wonder if I should just take them down. The neighbours either side of the neighbour that complained have both got the same lights as us so I have the same view as him, if not more so, and I can't see how it would affect anyone

Ask what they suggest and try to comply (at least turn the flash off).
Grinch moment - the government and energy companies are introducing energy saving measures and there are concerns we might run out. People are freezing in their homes whilst their neighbours who can afford have these lights blazing day and night. Solar lights are good for Christmas cheer, but if you are using the mains power is this xmas cheer or just wasteful excess?

I'm literally all about Christmas, hence the name. I adore twinkly lights. I can't stand the flashing lights though and can't understand, for the life of me, why that is even an option on the list of settings! I can't tell you the level of frustration I feel when get home fro work when I have one rogue set of lights just flashing away madly. I can totally empathise with your neighbour and it is your responsibility to ensure your children do not mess. Your other option is to buy static lights.

As someone who suffers migraines from flashing or bright lights I can see from both sides, is there no way to block off the plugs from the kids? I certainly wouldn't expect anyone to take their lights down but would massively appreciate finding a middle ground.

Treat the neighbour with kindness - he has asked you a favour and it’s no real hardship for you to oblige. And you never know when you might need a favour in return.

This is hilarious. We were told as kids never ever to mess around with electrics (so much so that I was nervous around plugs for a while).

What if there’s a fault with the plug and electrics (lights) and there’s a fire? I’m sure I recall fairy lights can cause a fire too.

I can’t believe you can’t control your kids and teach them consideration for others it’s more like you don’t want to do either of these things.

Flashy light patterns are one of the triggers for DPs migraines, to the extent that if she needs to go anywhere in the car after dark in December I have to ferry her around while she sits in the passenger seat with her eyes shut to avoid them.

About 5 years ago we had to ask the neighbours over the road to put theirs on static because DP was getting migraines every time she went into the kitchen. Luckily they were absolutely lovely about it, to the extent that when they had new next door neighbours the following year they passed on the no flashing lights rule.

Christ this would piss me off! A neighbour opposite me did this a few years ago but thankfully one polite mention of it and she put them to static.

I never really understand this as the person who is putting them on can't actually see them the majority of the time, so not sure who they're for really....nice, static warm white lights can look gorgeous on a house as you pass by on a winters evening, but flashing, coloured lights just look tacky.

This.

Just ignore them. They can use their curtains.

If you entered the room and saw the lights flashing, would you change the setting to steady? If you do it’s because you know on some level that flashing is annoying.

If lights are flashing then my initial instinct is some sort of emergency. Luckily my neighbours have it on steady so I don’t have to panic.

If the neighbour said no lights then I would agree with you but they are saying that flashing is not ok. Flashing is at best uncomfortable for many people and at worst could make someone have an epileptic fit.

Take down the lights or the children?! 🤣

Flashing lights outside are horribly irritating. I don't blame him! Glad to read you are being understanding OP.

The lights catty corner to us at the back flash and are totally annoying - blue then white then green - ugh! My daughter's bedroom overlooks it and it's only because we are not directly opposite that she survives.
Just teach your kids not to fiddle with it - tell them they will come down if they do and Santa will not be pleased!

Turn them off and tell your kids that they can only have them back on again if they stop messing with them.

It's that simple.

YABU
and you can control your children playing with plugs

That’s nice and understanding of you @SuddenlyISee

Flasing lights put me on edge they are absolutely awful. Do all your neighbours a favour and just leave them on constant not flashing. As for your children, if you can't control them that says an awful lot about your parenting.

Flashing lights are much more irritating than steady lights. It's to do with how your eyes and brain are wired.

Why do people even want to put up these garish, tacky things? It's not like you're sitting out in your front garden at 8pm admiring them.

Save your irritating flashing Christmas tat for INSIDE your house, please. Better that it's enjoyed by you than inflicted on everyone else.

I am hearing you all and will definitely stop them from blinking from now on. It's the first time I've had lights outside and I hadn't realised it would be such an issue.

To answer a few questions/comments:

• No, none of his household work shifts and it is their kitchen at the front of their house not their living room.
• I didn't question why he didn't mention to the neighbours either side of him. It was just for context to make it clear I'm not the only person on the street who has decorated.
• We have a street lamp outside and there is no way that my lights overpower that.
• Of course I can control my children.

He’s not being unreasonable.

Every time I drive/walk by homes with flashing lights, I absolutely feel for the neighbors that have to endure that. Honestly, it should be illegal.

it’s incredibly unneighborly and unnecessary. If you want to see flashing lights, set them up inside your home, where you spend most of YOUR time, but you should not subject others to that.

You’d have those flashing lights off within an hour if you had to live with it right in your face, and if not, then something is wrong with you because it’s not normal to like or love that type of light pollution.

Flashing lights are really annoying, put them on a constant setting or one that is more of a slow twinkle then tape the switch down and read the kids the riot act.

Santa doesn't bring presents for kids that dick about with switches.

Smacked handies (the kids, not the neighbours).

Yabu sorry. Flashing lights are awful sensory overload for some people and as a parent you should be able to tell your children not to play around with the settings. My Christmas tree could be set to flashing lights but I've told my child not to touch the button on the plug.

You absolutely can control your children using the plug. “touch it again and they go back in the box” and follow through.

Also you go to bed at 10pm, how entitled are you? Your neighbours should stay up until then too?