Sticky one

[DavBro]

OK, I have a very nice neighbor who has teamed up with me to do lights for the last two years. Granted, he only has 16 channels (to my 192 channels), but it raises the cool factor when the second house lights up.

Anyway, he has a teenage son, who put the lights up and took them down quite promptly last year. This year, his son was away, and time was getting pretty close, so I put the lights up (the homeowner is not physically able to climb a ladder). They were very thanklful that I put them up, and very emphatic that the son would take them down.

Well, as is my my custom, all my lights came down on January 1. It is all a part of the illusion that my house goes from 'Times Square mode' to nothing in 24 hours. Meanwhile, his lights are still up. Several times in the last few weeks the boy has moved the cars out of the driveway so he could play basketball.

His is the last house on the street to have lights still hanging, and it is kind of annoying, because folks associate his house with my light show. So, do I say something? Do I take them down myself? Do I sit back and just watch to see when they come down?

(to complicate the story, I just had bi-lateral hernia surgery 10 days ago, so if the verdict is that I take them down, that is going to be another 2 weeks at least)

DavBro

[ChuckHutchings]

Are they just lights on the house or are there display elements out in the yard?

If it's just stuff on the house I wouldn't worry about it.

[dmoore]

I'd leave them up.

[Brandon]

You said that you put them up, maybe they think you are going to take them down?

[BaldEagleChristmas]

. . .and very emphatic that the son would take them down. . . .
DavBro

I'd leave them and not worry about it unless you want to develop the custom of decorating two houses every year. You might try to "bump into" the neighbor now while you Can't take the lights down and casually ask if his son needs any help with the ladder after you get well. And... get well!

[NH - Dave]

I agree, leave them up. You have gone above and beyond as a good "Light Neighbor". If the kid has time to play, he has time to take down the lights. If it bothers you that much, say something to the dad. Just be prepared for any fallout.

[Greg Young]

I would say the same as everyone else - let your neighbors leave them up.
It's not your home, so even though they are associated with your display, I would not worry, as I would think the other neighbors are aware of who the house belongs to.
If you push things, you might alienate your neighbor.

That being said - what you could do to push the issue is to inform them that the sun's UV will deteriorate the plastic in the wiring and sockets over time, so to avoid premature failure (and the need to purchase new strings), they should have someone take them down asap!
Seasonal lighting is indicated for 3 months, or less outside use....
Greg

[tfischer]

It's not your issue-- I wouldn't worry about it.

[Cajun Cheesehead]

If they are your lights, then I would tell them you are going to take them down to get them stored away. If they are his lights, don't worry about it.