So this is the 3rd year I've done lights. The first year was awesome, and the whole street was really on board. Most of my street is fairly well lit including the house directly opposite me (but neither on each side of me). I had a couple of minor issues with neighbours but it was easily managed by a friendly chat.
My street is fairly well known and attracts a lot of visitors but to quote the non-grinches in the street 'my house put the street on the christmas light map'.
The second year was a little more intense and I had 2 of my neighbours expressing significant displeasure with the lights due to traffic/noise (I only use an FM transmitter so i'm not making the noise). One of my neighbours came at me with a shovel, another called the cops because he could not get to his driveway for a few mins and another threatened physical violence.
Now this year, it's just getting worse. I have so much support from the rest of the street (even those that do not do lights at all) but I have 2 (same) neighbours getting quite vocal about their displeasure with the lights. Further police threats and tonight being told 'This is the last year you will be doing this, i'll make sure of it'. I'm not sure what he can/thinks he can do to stop it but that's where its at.
They have been deliberately parking their cars on the road in awkward spots so as to block the flow of cars (it's a pretty narrow road), abusing and heckling visitors and having a go at me every time I see them. I have only ever been polite and calm when talking to them. I have reduced my show to only 2 hours instead of 3 but this does not seem to have appeased them at all.
Part of me thinks bugger it all - Just don't bother (and they win) but the other part of me thinks no, stuff them.
This is causing a lot of stress and anxiety for my wife and I at a time of the year everyone is trying to relax and have fun which I'm trying to promote. Has anyone else come across this? Had to deal with it? Shut down because of it? Did you win your neighbours over? Am I a prick for pushing on with it?
Really wondering if it is all worth it....
My street is fairly well known and attracts a lot of visitors but to quote the non-grinches in the street 'my house put the street on the christmas light map'.
The second year was a little more intense and I had 2 of my neighbours expressing significant displeasure with the lights due to traffic/noise (I only use an FM transmitter so i'm not making the noise). One of my neighbours came at me with a shovel, another called the cops because he could not get to his driveway for a few mins and another threatened physical violence.
Now this year, it's just getting worse. I have so much support from the rest of the street (even those that do not do lights at all) but I have 2 (same) neighbours getting quite vocal about their displeasure with the lights. Further police threats and tonight being told 'This is the last year you will be doing this, i'll make sure of it'. I'm not sure what he can/thinks he can do to stop it but that's where its at.
They have been deliberately parking their cars on the road in awkward spots so as to block the flow of cars (it's a pretty narrow road), abusing and heckling visitors and having a go at me every time I see them. I have only ever been polite and calm when talking to them. I have reduced my show to only 2 hours instead of 3 but this does not seem to have appeased them at all.
Part of me thinks bugger it all - Just don't bother (and they win) but the other part of me thinks no, stuff them.
This is causing a lot of stress and anxiety for my wife and I at a time of the year everyone is trying to relax and have fun which I'm trying to promote. Has anyone else come across this? Had to deal with it? Shut down because of it? Did you win your neighbours over? Am I a prick for pushing on with it?
Really wondering if it is all worth it....