Xmas Decs

[KatDa]

My brother was murdered on Xmas Eve 4 years ago, Since then we have never put up decorations, since we dont have anything to celebrate.

We moved to a new house in the summer in a small Close of 10 houses. All the other houses are decked out for Xmas and yesterday evening one of the residents of the Close knocked on our door and asked when we were putting up our lights and intimated that that we were letting the other homeowners down by not doing so.

I dont want to publicisize the reasons why, since the person who murdered my bro has not been cauught. So what should I do ?

Bloody hell!

I am so sorry for your loss.

But how DARE they assume you celebrate Christmas? I'd be soooo tempted to tell them that I was a member of the Satanist Church and we don't do decorations... Although we might put a goat on the lawn, if that's all right with the (incredibly intrusive) neighbours.

I mean, just how DARE they??

They can all fuck off

I can’t believe this. It’s like something out of a TV show.

They are so caught up in the “best village award” or whatever that they haven’t even stopped to think about whether what they’re doing is… normal! Let alone polite and welcoming. Or whether there might be a reason.

Knocking on doors and notes through letterboxes about Christmas lights!

I’m so sorry you’re going through this OP. I hope they get the hint and leave you alone soon.

It's very odd to ask anyone else about their Christmas decorations (or lack of) especially this early. Mine are still gathering dust in the attic. I can see you might feel pressured but they are BU in any circumstances. In your specific situation maybe a basic explanation might help get them to back off but you don't owe them one.

You don’t need to justify to anyone why you don’t put up decorations. If this is the biggest gripe in their life then they’re a lucky person. Sorry for your loss.

This is the plot of “skipping Christmas” including the street award

I honestly don't see the problem. Just give some non-committal answer, but be friendly. If someone asks you I'd just say "We don't celebrate Christmas that much, but yours look lovely". or "ha ha I'm not sure we'd go to all that effort, but yours are great!" It doesn't matter whether that's enough or not just a quick remark and move on.

If you get a direct question and they really push then the answer is just "No, we're not doing that this year"... (subtext - or any other year). If they respond with "Oh, but we've always done it and you're letting the side down" or whatever, just go with something like "Yes, looks like we are haha!" Keep it light, be evasive. It's not like they are going to ask you all year is it as it'll be over in a few weeks.