Thousands of people love to drive to see the biggest and best Christmas displays each December while next door neighbors can hate the blaring lights and congested traffic. Some irate neighbors have even called the police or pushed ordinances through local government.
What are some ideas to improve relationships with nearby neighbors?
We do several things. The first thing we do is take a letter by all the neighbors houses' in October explaining that we will be doing a display again this year and letting them know if they have any issues to please call us first. We also drop off an invitation to an open house that we host right after the lights turn on. The open house is a great way for the neighbors to see the indoor decorations and learn more about our family and how we strive to help our preferred charity. Finally after the season we take another letter thanking them for another great season by their houses' and let them know how much was raised for the charity and how they were instrumental in our success.
Always be open to suggestions of the neighbors and seek their input.
Jeff
I also agree with early communication, but I start with talking about them while I am building items, like in JUNE! We had a new group of neighbors right across the street. They are the only one's I haven't talked with yet, as they just moved in. I will be going to talk with them shortly do the meet and greet thing... and work in to talk about the display. We have never had bumber to bumber traffic like some places have had, so some problems that others have had I have never had to encounter. The best thing about the street, is after dark there is an "unwritten rule" that traffic only moves East bound. Not sure how it started, but it works out great for us.