So sorry our holiday spirit offends you!

[Felica]

A lot of folks in my neighborhood have outdoor decorations during the holiday season. No one goes completely overboard and no one's yard is garish or anything, just lights, a few reindeer here and there, a blow-up santa or two. Not a big deal.

It's been this way ever since we moved here and no one has complained. But recently our neighborhood has had a lot of 'turn-over' and evidently this now offends someone.

See, I just went out to check my mail. Somewhere between checking it yesterday and today, someone found time to stick a note in the box. This is what it says:

Dear Neighbor,

We have noticed that many of our neighbors elect to put out christmas decorations each year. While you have every right to practice your religion, we would like to remind all of you that not everyone practices a religion that participates in such holidays as christmas.

Because this is the country of freedom of religion, we would ask that you allow those of us that do not follow the christian tradition of christmas the ability to not be confronted with it at every turn. Please do not put out these decorations this year. We can not avoid them when leaving our house and they are an affront to our eyes. Also, if you could refrain from placing christmas trees where they can be seen from the street, it would be greatly appreciated.

We know that you will comply with our requests in the name of good neighborliness.

We thank you,
A neighbor


 

I also know now that every neighbor on our street got this letter. (One of my neighbors called and asked and informed me that several others got it at well. She's a bit of a busy body, but it comes in handy in this situation)

I don't even know what to say about this. I'm not sure I have an etiquette question, since I know beyond a shadow of a doubt this is over the top. I guess I just wanted you folks to share my shock at the nerve of some folks.

[Flora Louise]

What next? Will they write to all the Christian churches in town and demand that those offensive crosses be taken down? After all, they can be seen from the street.

[jimithing]

 

Can you say, "entitled?"  One neighbor wants everyone to accommodate them and they decide that they want to foist their beliefs on everyone else?  This is a situation where someone is choosing to be offended. 

I never say this, but this is one of those situations where if you don't like something that is a tradition in a country that is 80%-85% Christian, perhaps that neighboorhood wasn't the best place to live in. I live in a condo complex, where decorations are minimal.

Foxxy, I really hope you aren't considering her request. These situations make me really angry, so I have to bite my tongue before I say anything more.

[cicero]

they had this on roseanne once. and roseanne's family went out and did the garishiest, tackiest, neon lights blaring, christmas decorations you could ever imagine....

[JocelynCS]

Okay, that is ridiculous and rude.  (And for the record, I am not Christian either.)  If you were trying to bully those neighbors into decorating *their* houses, that would be different, but you have every right to put out Christmas decorations, advertise for a political candidate you support, or decorate your home as you wish.

Pay it no mind, or if you feel a response is necessary, you and your Christmas-decorating neighbors could circulate a response that everyone has a right to decorate their homes as they see fit, whether the decorations be Christmas, Hannukah (sp?), or none at all.

Then again, it is so over-the-top that it may be a cheap joke trying to start outrage (a "Real World Troll" if you will--they do exist!), and it might be best to just ignore it and not react--and decorate as usual.

[EeyoreCorbie]

Freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion.  

[jibby]

Isn't it a federal offense to put non-stamped mail in someone's mailbox?  I would call your local Post Office and ask.  

And ignore their request.  Some of us who don't celebrate Christmas *enjoy* looking at your decorations!!  

[Bibliophile]

Well, I would put the letter into the garbage and go about my holiday decorating without another thought to the letter.  

[wyozozo]

Evil zozo says it time for the neighbor to do the "garish" displays of holiday cheer!!!! And bigger trees in the houses!!!

<she's now been shoved back in the trunk>


How is a blow up Santa offensive? And do they know using a mailbox for anything other than mail is a federal offense???

[Mammavan]

My Christmas decorations run to candles in the windows, a wreath, and some white lights on the lamp post and some shrubs.  This letter would have had me at Costco buying the biggest blow-up Santa, life-sized plastic nativity scene, reindeer for the roof, a legion of snowmen and clearing out every light of every size and color from their shelves.

[Felica]

On rosanne? Really? That's funny because I've often told people I live in an never ending episode of it. Heh.

And no, no way will we not put up our christmas lights. And my tree is going front and center of the window, just like always.

[Brentwood]

Dear offended neighbor,

No.

[IWish]

And how dare you wear that cute Christmas sweatshirt outside while you're working in your yard! I can see it from my window and it OFFENDS me! 

[ShadesOfGrey]

Dear offended neighbor,

No.

This had me laughing out loud. Thanks Cathy! 

[allygmail]

So I guess your neighbors never shop in oh, say Walmart Target Lowe's HomeDepot Big Lots Hobby Lobby Kroger's Jewel Osco K-Mart Michael's Dollar Tree because they might be offended by the massive Christmas displays?

I would ignore them.  Or go the Roseanne route with extra ornaments.