So, with all the snow (at least here in the Chicagoland region) and Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to drive around and see all the decorations.
I’m sure most people have done it, either gone out of their way to do it or taken a longer way home to see what people had done to their houses. But I take this one step further.
Some people out there put a lot of effort into decorating their houses. Years ago I figured it would be fun to acknowledge this effort and came up with a little certificate I printed that basically said we (I conned the gf and some friends into doing this with me) had driven by, really thought they did a wonderful job, and wanted to let them know. We printed a bunch and as we drove around took a vote as to whether or not each house was worthy of our acknowledgment. We’d then slip a certificate into their mailbox and drive off.
Last year I upgraded to 4x6 images that I printed of a nice winter scene I had captured at the zoo with a little photoshop work and the addition of some text that said Merry Christmas. We put them in an envelope that was printed to inform people that we enjoyed their decorations. It was kind of like a little postcard if you will.
Without specifically asking people to acknowledge my certificate/postcard, I signed our names and underneath included my email address. The first year I did this I did get one couple to email me and thank me for stopping by and noticing their decorations. It was kind of fun. Other than that I’ve never heard from any of the 40-50 people that we’ve given it to over the years.
Is this creepy at all? I for one think it’s kind of fun and would have to assume some people enjoyed it and thought it very festive for the season. Others may not I suppose. What would you think if you went to your mailbox and saw this? Any suggestions on how to improve the idea before we head out tomorrow night?
I think stuff like this is more creepy than anything… or possibly a sign of a mental disorder. No matter what, they’re not normal… And not in a good way by any definition of the word.
(link to that crazy Christmas light display set to music that is broadcast for some distance by a FM broadcasting station set at the house).
I don’t think it’s creepy, and I’d be flattered to receive a card like that, but I’d also think to myself, “Do they realize they’re technically breaking federal law by putting stuff in my mailbox, not mailing it through the system?” Then I’d ask myself, “If I email them, will I end up on a huge spam list?”
Yeah, that was my first thought. The first two years I did it I created an email address just for this occasion that wouldn’t easily be traced back to me. Last year I figured, what’s the worst that could happen and used my main email address. Never really thought about people being concerned about emailing thinking they would get put on a spam list. I did a nice job on the certificate and post card but not so nice that one would think it was a massively coordinated effort to collect email addresses.
Sorry, if it included an email address, I would think it was spam. I would assume that after emailing you, I’d get a response about how to MAKE MONEY FAST or something. I’d toss it. The nicer your post card looked, the stronger my assumption would be. “They’re professionals”, I’d think to myself.
Why do you even include your email address anyway? Is this like the thing where one only enjoys doing something nice if they get recognized for it, or something?
I like the idea of what you’re doing, but I think you should just keep it totally anonymous. People will think its more genuine if it is anonymous. Maybe just come up with some name for your group of voters, and just put “sincerely, local town anonymous decoration admirers” or whatever at the bottom.
That way, people will think it’s actually genuine. Seriously, why do you need them to send an email to you? Would you feel it validates or justifies what you’re doing? I dunno, I think you should just enjoy the random anonymous act of kindness and the fun you have rating decorations with your friends.
The only reason I put the email address in the first place was to see how people would react. I didn’t so much need personal validation I guess, I just wanted to know if people even read it or if most of them got tossed at first glance. It seems at least a couple here so far think their spam radar would be going off like crazy so maybe that can just be removed all together.
I know of a couple people who go around and look at lights and secretly rate them and have a contest for the best. I don’t think they do anything other than entertain themselves with it, and see who voted for what house, and if they like the same things.
I like your idea actually and see nothing creepy about the note.
I do agree that you should probably leave off the e-mail address, however.
Just sign your first names, or initials or something.
