Thread: How to Combat the Neighbors?

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So our direct next door neighbors HATE Halloween and Christmas. They don't decorate, turn their lights off on Halloween, and are general fuddy duds.

A Few days ago, the Wife told my Dad that she didn't care for our setup, and was even less thrilled by the idea of our party since LAST YEAR she is now claiming that someone threw cigarette butts over their fence.

Honestly I find it hard to believe, because they are not the kind of people who don't complain. They would of made a point of coming over with the butts in hand and insisting some sort of cleanup... I told my partners what she told my dad and they were as astonished as I was.

We KNOW they are unhappy with the idea of a big halloween party, and honestly this years will be BIGGER. The neighbors behind us on the hill and on the other side all think it's totally awesome what we do, and know we are respectful of their properties...

This party is GOING to run until 2am, no doubt about it this year, we have about 100 confirmed RSVP's, and it's completely outdoors... We are scheduled to have lots of sunshine, so we aren't worried about weather for one. We are handing out flyers to the neighborhood letting them know about our party, but my question is this... How do you counteract a neighbor whom you KNOW is going to cause problems? Is there a fruit basket we can send her that says "please don't call the cops on our party!"?? We are putting up signs this year (which I'm creating TODAY) that say "no butt, cups or trash over fence"... Hopefully that will keep whomever did it last year from doing it this year (if it ever happened)

Some people are just ********, no matter what you do and please don't let them interfer with your having and celebrating the holidays. All you can do is try to reason with them and offer to clean up their yard the next day. And maybe bake them some "thank you" cookies afterward. Be aware of the noise ordinance in your city, though, as the law will be on their side. Bummer.

I personally would kill them with kindness.

Invite them to the party. Tell them that you are making signs to make sure that no one tosses ANYTHING over the fence. Keep the noise levels contained after 10pm (that's a biggie for getting the cops out - usually it's noise complaints or public drunkeness). Don't block their driveway or damage their lawn or other property.

Good luck!

Ugh.... some people.

I'm sorry that I really don't have any advice for you, I just wanted to say that I think your neighbors are lame.

Noise is a big issue that they would have grounds to complain about...that said, it would be an added expense, but could you chip in and offer to get them a nice hotel room to stay in for the night?

Enjoy your party, don't worry about the neighbours. It's your property, not there's. They seem like the type of people who have nothing better to do than moan.

It sounds like you're doing a lot of pro-active things and I commend you for that. There's not much besides that you can do, some people are just going to be cranky and complain, however you can at least walk away knowing you did everything you could to ease the situation. Good luck!

I wouldn't go as far as to give them a fruit basket, they sound like the kind of people that wouldn't let freebies stop them from being awkward.

I'd write a letter, apologizing if there was trash on their property last year, but that this year you are combating it. Include a copy of the sign your making for your guests, and like someone suggested tell him if there is any of your guests mess on their property in the morning you will take care of it ASAP.

Other than that like everyone else says, enjoy your party. It's your property and if they're gonna complain you can't stop em. As long as the music isn't 'too' loud then there's nothing the police can (or will even care about) doing, or the neighbors.

Originally Posted by halloween_sucks_in_the_uk

Enjoy your party, don't worry about the neighbours. It's your property, not there's. They seem like the type of people who have nothing better to do than moan.

well said. If it's not you party they're compaining about, it will be something else. Enjoy your party and forget about them.

Well, 2 am is awfully late to be having 100 people outdoors with neighbors in close proximity. If you tried that in my neighborhood, you'd have about 20 people calling the police on you. Though I am a nightowl and it wouldn't disturb me in the least, many people will be trying to sleep, even on a Saturday night. I'd seriously consider either confining the party to inside or ending at an earlier time.