# When can I shoot a neighbor for putting Christmas lights up too soon? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269 "2015-09-23T04:25:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/21 "2015-09-23T14:47:28Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > If you have money to burn on this, or can borrow it from somewhere, add a large flashing “GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!” neon sign to the neighbor’s setup. You’ve been watching [Beetlejuice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qwSZY2_-6A) , haven’t you? ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/22 "2015-09-23T15:01:14Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > So this is how the War on Christmas starts? I’m not even prepared for the War on Thanksgiving yet! > [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s neighbor season. Bows or long gun? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/23 "2015-09-23T15:06:22Z")
My local Walmart is already pushing Halloween stuff off to the side and putting out Christmas stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/24 "2015-09-23T15:14:00Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Sever the cords, but don’t let them look cut - make them look _chewed_. Chewing live wires is going to be a pain.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/25 "2015-09-23T15:20:43Z")
I’d like to see one of [these](http://www.photos-public-domain.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/reindeer_christmas_lawn_ornament.jpg) on a rotating spit with a fire made of orange, yellow, and red lights under it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/26 "2015-09-23T16:40:10Z")
My gf’s cousin was shot at by a neighbor a few months ago. He was on a ladder cleaning out his gutters (which could be mistaken for putting up xmas lights) when the neighbor came out of his house, screaming gibberish. Neighbor fired his handgun twice, hitting the house but missing the cousin. Police were called and arrested the neighbor. Last I heard he was awaiting trial and his family is saying he is mentally ill. ETA: the whole reason I mention the story is because when we first heard about it, I posited the neighbor may have thought he was putting up xmas lights, and therefore the shooting may be justified. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/27 "2015-09-23T16:43:21Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t understand how being forced to glance every so often at colorful lights on your neighbor’s house can drive you to murderous thoughts. What has happened in your life to make you so angry? Really? I’m angry and I’m 2400 miles away. Christmas in one day (or maybe 12). Let’s wait until at least December 15th before we start thinking about it, ok? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/28 "2015-09-23T16:46:22Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > When can I shoot a neighbor for… Umm… never? #IMHO ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/29 "2015-09-23T17:25:27Z")
I’ve always wanted a nativity set with penguins. Mrs. Plant (v.3.0) thinks that the neighbors would burn crosses in our yard. Along that line, record some of [these prayers](http://www.sidduraudio.com/) and play them back very loudly. Or put a speaker under the bed room window and play the Doors [The End](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4) very quietly late at night. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/30 "2015-09-23T18:21:43Z")
I support your stance and I would be willing to contribute to your legal defence fund, should things get out of hand. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/31 "2015-09-23T18:41:33Z")
Are they Indian? There is an Indian festival of Lights (Diwali or something, google it yourself) that takes place in October. In the US they use Christmas Lights for it, as I am guessing it is hard to come by Diwali lights. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/32 "2015-09-23T18:52:01Z")
\*\*When can I shoot a neighbor for putting Christmas lights up too soon? \*\* You should wait until it is Christmas Season. And you should tag him with a valid Christmas tag for your hunting unit. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/33 "2015-09-23T20:49:33Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I’ve always wanted a nativity set with penguins. Well, they sell different “winter penguin” decorations, so why not arrange them into a nativity? If you put a roast turkey or goose in the manger and take a picture to post here, I’ll adore you forever. Hubby is even more anti-decorations than I am, but he says the only way we’re putting Xmas decorations on our house is if someone ever manufactures a 10-foot inflatable Jesus posed like Godzilla stomping on Tokyo. … It just occurred to me that I have a confession to make. There is one yard decoration that I adore enough to pester hubby to let me keep it up year round (he won’t but he did put it up on Labor day for me this year - smooch!). A few years ago I bought a Halloween decoration face for a tree. It’s actually two eyes, a nose and a mouth so you can position them on random branches to look right. The fake bark texture on them looks amazingly like the bark of the bradford pear tree in our front yard so they blend and it takes a double-take to notice it. The face is New-Yorker-at-5am-without-coffee-just-cut-off-by-a-taxi furious, so I adore it. I LOVE having an angry ent guarding our house. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/34 "2015-09-23T20:55:57Z")
Just load up the gas powered generator while they’re at work and plug the decorations into the 220vac outlet. Repeat as necessary until sometime after Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/35 "2015-09-23T21:17:59Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t understand how being forced to glance every so often at colorful lights on your neighbor’s house can drive you to murderous thoughts. What has happened in your life to make you so angry? Let me come over to your house and shine flashing lights in a random pattern in all of your front and side windows for 3-6 hours a night (or all night, if I forget) for the next four months. I like really bright lights, strobe effects, and devices that play the same two Christmas carols (loud and out of tune) over and over and over again. What’s your address? See, if was just glancing at colorful lights, when I wanted to look at colorful lights, it wouldn’t be bad. If your neighbor is a serious light fan, however, you will need blackout curtains on all your visible windows (including your front door). ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/36 "2015-09-23T21:36:56Z")
Do you have owls in your area? Maybe there’s a way you could tamper with the inflatable snowglobe such that an owl might mistake it for prey, and tear a substantial hole in it. If there are any animals in the neighborhood, you could maybe treat it with something tasty to encourage chewing during the daytime, while it’s deflated. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/37 "2015-09-23T21:59:28Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Not with a bang but with a glimmer? POINTS! (sorry, big @midnight fan) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/38 "2015-09-24T01:35:41Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > If you put a roast turkey or goose in the manger and take a picture to post here, I’ll adore you forever…Hubby … I am not enticed to do so. Remember the potential crosses on the lawn? > [@JcWoman](#): > > I LOVE having an angry ent guarding our house. That is cool. Where may we get one? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/39 "2015-09-24T01:50:34Z")
Seconded. I want a cranky ent, not some peaceful smiling hippy-dippy ent. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269/40 "2015-09-24T02:07:53Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > Let me come over to your house and shine flashing lights in a random pattern in all of your front and side windows for 3-6 hours a night (or all night, if I forget) for the next four months. I like really bright lights, strobe effects, and devices that play the same two Christmas carols (loud and out of tune) over and over and over again. What’s your address? Oh, is that what the OP’s neighbor is putting up? I didn’t see that in the post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-shoot-a-neighbor-for-putting-christmas-lights-up-too-soon/732269.md?page=3)