Abominable Snowmen:The War on Lawn Decorations

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 20 Dec 2007 | SARA SCHAEFER MUÑOZ

[BGHater]

Over-the-Top Displays Inspire Loud Complaints, Even Rage; An Inflatable Santa Beheaded

Jim McDilda's holiday display last year included a 28-foot lighted arch, a 50-foot tree, 50,000 lights and dozens of animated silhouettes. The spectacle -- he needed a crane to set it all up -- lit up the sky and drew thousands of gawking visitors to his Redding, Calif., house.

But nearby neighbors weren't so thrilled. Cars, limos and tour buses clogged the cul-de-sac, and trash was strewn across lawns. Christmas music blasting from Mr. McDilda's display kept neighbors awake. They complained to the city, which required that Mr. McDilda get a special-events permit and demanded that he remove the nearby cargo containers he used to store the display most of the year. After months of sniping between Mr. McDilda and the city, he decided to throw in the towel. This year, his house is unadorned.

"They gave me so much trouble, they took the fun out of it," he says.

Look out, Santa: There's a backlash brewing against over-the-top holiday displays. With community associations ramping up holiday decorating contests (some in the hopes of attracting potential home buyers) and manufacturers pitching an increasing variety of yard decor -- think 8-foot inflatable snowmen -- some homeowners and cities have had enough.

Disgruntled neighbors complain of everything from traffic to wasted electricity. In places like Redding and Aurora, Ill., people called for the city to crack down on loud music or decorations that linger after holidays. Police in some areas of the country even report that the growing number of blow-up Santas adorning people's yards are targets for stabbing and other forms of violent

[ErnBatavia]

Anybody know why people who hang those icicle lights on their homes, leave them up year round, never taking them down?

Around here, without exception, it's the white-trashy people who do that. And the really lazy ones let the timer have 'em go on every night of the year.

[LetsRok]

Al Gore and the global warming freaks must be going nuts right now. Think of all the electricty being wasted on this.

[Petronski]

But somehow all the dinosaurs died.

Then, the Arabs came...

[lowbridge]

"I'm a little bit turned off by all the energy waste," she says. "We've got global warming. It just doesn't seem appropriate to blow up a snow globe."

The world is ending! And its due to christmas decorations! Arrrgghhh!!!!!!

[DoughtyOne]

I expected a difference of opinion on this, and I appreciate you explaining yours. I can see some circumstances where I’m sure I would agree with you, but I’d sure try not to if at all possible. Take care.

[Bernard]

All this going on in residential neighborhoods? It would be far wiser to put a creche in a public park, where there would be plenty of parking, concession stands for refreshments, public bathrooms, .... That way, the taxpayers could share the burden of the displays, electricity, etc.

Along with large secular displays of Santa Claus, snowmen, and so on.

[BGHater]

Some people do that because they celebrate Christmas year round.

[ASOC]

There is a guy about two blocks from us that (snow permitting) makes a 40ft snoman - has for the last 3 years.

Not illuminated, so all the traffic is during the day light hours (such as there is). Quite the fun things for the kids to see.

We stay off that street in Spring, last year the snoman collapsed and mashed the guys car pretty bad.

But, it's all for fun and "Art".

Pics from 2005 can be found here

[upchuck]

Anybody know why people who hang those icicle lights on their homes, leave them up year round, never taking them down?

'cause you might be a Redneck if?

[upchuck]

If you removed all the decorations in the last photo in reply #1 and left just the star, the star rays and the manger, that would be a striking display.

[mylife]

I really dislike those huge made in China inflatables.

Last year some clown had inflatable Spongebob stuff on his lawn L0L

Oh well. L0L

[tob2]

Over the top with everything seems to be the trend these days, not just with exterior Christmas decorations. Remember as a kid - a long, long time ago - we would go out on Christmas Eve to see the holiday decorations. Nothing much was over the top then.

[BGHater]

Thanks for the monster snowman. Your in Alaska? Seen this about the wolves?

http://www.ktva.com/topstory/ci_7773269

[freekitty]

I always loved going to see the lights at Christmas.

[alicewonders]

Different strokes for different folks! Have a Merry Christmas!

[Popman]

If it gives children and adults pleasure and it’s not against the law,

I'm the first to enjoy a nice Christmas display in the neighborhood, but some people take it to the extreme and make it a nuisance and distraction

Those are the ones I'm talking about

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your clarification. I appreciate it.

[Ol' Sox]

There is a family in our town who have well over a half million lights in all the trees of their two acre property. Pretty much every cartoon character ever to appear on TV has been painted on plywood cutouts and planted all over the yard. Speakers in the trees play Crosby and a complete North Pole village lies along a path through the property. All of the sheds (Santa's workshop, the North Pole post office, sleeping quarters, etc.) are all big enough for kids to climb into and pose for pictures. Of course, Santa himself shows up on Christmas Eve.

On a cloudy night, you can see the glow of their home for miles. The neighbors, rather than complain, have taken advantage of the situation. Their enterprising their kids set up the hot chocolate and Christmas cookie franchise each year, which contributes greatly to their college fund!

[Age of Reason]

Who was their architect—the same guy who designed Disney World?

[ASOC]

yup

I carry a 45ACP most of the time - if I am out of town, I carry the 12 ga pump in addition to the 45. I am thinking of getting a Bushmaster 45 to replace the shotgun, but the prices are a tad high right now.

I can’t wait for the greenies and woldhugger to react when someones child is killed and eaten. I work on base now and see ‘yotes fairly often, bears almost always on the backside of the base..

The base will not let you use a single projectile weapon to hunt with on the base/post - only shotguns.