Couple Goes All Out Decorating For Halloween, Didn’t See The Neighborhood Drama Coming

There are plenty of exciting things that you can finally do once you become a homeowner. You can choose whatever countertops you like for the kitchen, put a pool in the backyard if you so choose and go all out when decorating for the holidays. 

While most homeowners tend to stick to Christmas lights, the occasional Easter egg or their nation’s flag, some prefer to go all out for spooky season. Zombies in the yard, spider webs hanging from the trees and jack-o’-lanterns adorning the front door can make a house more inviting for trick-or-treaters. As long as their neighbors are fine with the decor, that is… One woman reached out to Reddit detailing how her neighbor threw a fit over her and her husband’s Halloween decorations. So below, you’ll find the full story, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.     

This woman was thrilled to go all out when decorating for Halloween

Halloween decor with pumpkins, ghost figures, spider webs, and candles decorating a house porch in festive style.

Image credits: rawpixel.com (not the actual image)

But a neighbor decided that her decor was way too scary to be on display

Couple with Halloween decorations faces neighbor threat to take it down after going all out for the holiday celebration.

Halloween yard decorations with tombstones, skeletons, fake webbing, and large spider hanging from tree limbs.

Neighbor threatens couple to take down their Halloween decor after going all out with spooky decorations.

Text excerpt from a neighbor discussing the threat over Halloween decor in a residential neighborhood.

Angry neighbor threatening couple over Halloween decor, raising fist with a frustrated expression near a brick wall.

Image credits: koldunova_anna (not the actual image)

Text from a neighbor threatening a couple to take down their Halloween decorations due to arachnophobia and distress caused.

Couple faces neighbor threat after going all out with Halloween decor featuring purple fuzzy spiders with big googly eyes.

Neighbor threatens couple who went all out with their Halloween decor, demanding they take it down or face consequences.

Couple’s Halloween decor sparks neighbor threat, causing tension over elaborate yard decorations during Halloween season.

Woman decorating house with Halloween decor including spider webs and jack-o-lanterns, facing neighbor threats over Halloween decorations

Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

Neighbor threatens couple to take down their Halloween decor or face consequences, sparking a tense dispute.

Couple refuses to take down Halloween decor despite neighbor’s threat, highlighting the holiday decoration dispute in their yard.

Update text about installing a ring doorbell and documenting neighbor threats over Halloween decor dispute.

Image credits: PlsHelpmeThrowRA

Later, the author responded to several readers and provided more information about the situation

Online discussion about a neighbor threatening a couple over their elaborate Halloween decorations.

Neighbor threatens couple who went all out with Halloween decor after dispute over spooky decorations.

Neighbor threatens couple over Halloween decor in a dispute about decorations and neighborhood rules enforcement.

Comment thread discussing a neighbor threatening a couple over their Halloween decorations and phobia concerns.

Screenshot of online comments about neighbor threatening couple over Halloween decorations featuring spider phobia and decoration disputes.

Neighbor threatens couple over elaborate Halloween decor featuring large spiders and purple color theme in their yard.

Homeowners typically have free-range when decorating for holidays

Just like when it comes to decorating for Christmas, homeowners are typically allowed to do whatever they like (within reason) to deck out their homes for Halloween. There’s no limit to how many pumpkins they’re allowed to carve, how many skeletons they can hang in the front yard or how many buckets of candy they can put out for trick-or-treaters.

But logic and reason have never stopped neighbors from getting upset about little things in the past. So Halloween decorations are certainly no exception. The specific rules will vary depending on where you live and whether or not you must adhere to the rules set by a homeowner’s association, but Kuester Management Group notes that there are a few decorations that might land residents in hot water.

First, they mention that any yard decor that makes noise might be considered a disturbance, and it might lead to some complaints from neighbors. Lights can also be disruptive if they’re shining into everyone’s windows all night long. 

Depending on the neighborhood, “yard art” might be prohibited too, which some Halloween decorations might fall into the umbrella of. And if your HOA happens to find any of your decorations offensive or disturbing, they might request that you remove them immediately. 

Apparently, scary Halloween decorations can sometimes even lead to homeowners being fined. Newsweek published an article discussing this, where they mentioned that some Halloween enthusiasts have even been fined thousands of dollars for their spooky decorations.  

Image credits: chris robert (not the actual image)

But it’s wise for neighborhoods to set some ground rules to prevent conflicts

“We had it all—a fog machine, an elaborate graveyard setup and eerie sound effects,” one veterinarian told Newsweek. “We were fined for breaking the community rules, which was a bit disheartening, especially for the kids. It certainly put a damper on our Halloween festivities.”

It’s also important to consider how your decorations might later impact the community. If you cover your front yard in hay, for example, it’s best to make sure that hay doesn’t end up all over the sidewalk until Thanksgiving. And, of course, any particularly dangerous or terrifying decorations might not be a good idea for a neighborhood full of children.

To avoid encountering any issues between neighbors, Mulcahy Law Firm suggests that HOAs set clear rules defining exactly how residents can decorate for holidays. It might be wise to set a reasonable time limit for Halloween decorations to be displayed. For example, they can go up on the first of October, and they must be taken down by November 30th.

It may also be helpful to set designated hours when holiday lights must be turned off, as well as a maximum decibel level for any spooky sound effects or decorations that make noise. And if the neighborhood has a designated area where residents can set up communal decorations, that might reduce how many people will go all out in their own front yards.   

We would love to hear your thoughts on this story in the comments below, pandas. Would you be bothered if your neighbors put up fuzzy spiders and spooky decorations in their front yard? Feel free to weigh in. And then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing Halloween decor right here! 

Image credits: Nathan Anderson (not the actual image)

Some readers sided with the homeowner, noting that her decor sounds great

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about Halloween decor where a neighbor threatens a couple over their yard display.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a neighbor threatening a couple over their Halloween decorations.

Comment text from user meezerbear9 expressing intention to report neighbor making threats over Halloween decor dispute.

Neighbor threatens couple over Halloween decor with aggressive demands to take it down or else.

Screenshot of an online comment urging the couple to file a police report after neighbor threatened them over Halloween decor.

Comment text on a forum discussing a neighbor threatening a couple over their Halloween decorations.

Screenshot of an online comment advising to install a doorbell camera to record threats from a neighbor over Halloween decor.

Screenshot of an online comment about a neighbor threatening a couple over their Halloween decorations.

Comment highlighting severe arachnophobia but saying purple fuzzy spider with googly eyes is not scary in Halloween decor debate.

Comment from an online discussion warning about possible threats to a Halloween decor display and suggesting precautions.

Comment discussing neighborhood dispute and threats related to couple's Halloween decor and neighbor complaints.

Neighbor threatens couple over their elaborate Halloween decor display in a residential neighborhood.

Screenshot of an online comment defending a couple’s Halloween decor against a threatening neighbor complaint.

Neighbor threatens couple over their elaborate Halloween decorations after going all out with spooky decor display.

Comment on neighbor threatening couple over Halloween decor, discussing conflict and aggressive warnings.

Advice on handling neighbor threats after going all out with Halloween decorations in a dispute over yard displays.

Neighbor threatens couple with Halloween decor in dispute over elaborate outdoor decorations on their property.

Red and green Halloween spider decoration hanging outside a house, part of elaborate Halloween decor.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing neighbor threats over elaborate Halloween decorations and property rights.

Comment discussing how fake webbing used in Halloween decor can harm birds and small animals by trapping them.

Screenshot of a comment discussing a neighbor threatening a couple over their Halloween decor within HOA rules.

User comment discussing fear of spiders and opinion on Halloween decor despite phobia, linked to neighbor threatening couple over decorations.

Comment explaining a neighbor threatening a couple over their Halloween decorations due to differing opinions.

However, some thought she was being insensitive by refusing to accommodate her neighbor

Red and black Halloween spider decoration with a spider web covering the porch, showcasing spooky Halloween decor.

Neighbor threatens couple over Halloween decor displayed in their yard with intense decorations and spooky props.

Screenshot of an online discussion where a neighbor complains about Halloween decorations causing a phobia concern.

Comment discussing neighbor conflict over large realistic fake spiders in Halloween decor causing phobia triggers and petty spite.

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!