his week’s question (Have your own? Submit it here.):
My neighbor has started decorating for Halloween. There are six skeletons in the yard, jack-o’-lanterns hanging around the whole front of the house, fake tombstones that have punny names (I.P. Freely), and I know a lot more is coming. Halloween is more than two months away and it’s still 90 degrees outside. Is it too early for this or am I being a Grumpy Gus?
Elizabeth Wellington, Features Columnist
Yes, you are being a Grumpy Gus, but I’m right there with you. I’m one of the people who get sad on June 21 on the Summer Solstice when the days start getting shorter.
People who rush autumn get on my nerves. That goes for the stores that stock back-to-school supplies in July, and the pumpkin spice lattes available the second week of August.
Stephanie Farr, Features Columnist
I just said last weekend “I can’t wait for Christmas,” so I’m about doing whatever you need to do to get you from now until the end of the year. That being said, part of what makes decorations special is that they’re only up for a limited amount of time every year.
If this person wants to approach their neighbor about these decorations, how would you suggest they go about it, Elizabeth?
Elizabeth Wellington
Ugh... you are one of those I love Christmas people... (I guess I’m a little bit of a Grinch, too).
Honestly, I don’t think a person has the right to approach their neighbor about their decorations. Their house. Their skeletons. But perhaps the offended — and I do count myself in this group — can do some self care to soften the blow. Perhaps you sit by your window and drink margaritas. Maybe you just close your eyes tightly when you walk by? Maybe retaliate and decorate your home with sunflowers and “Welcome Summer!” banner in March?
Stephanie Farr
I’m down with that retaliation plan, Grinchy McGrinch. Honestly, when I moved to this region I was shocked by how many holidays people decorate for. I didn’t even know that there were Thanksgiving decorations, and now everybody has a dang inflatable turkey in their front lawn in November! Heck, there are already fall and Eagles decorations around me in Delco, which should definitely get their time in the sun before folks start exhuming their Halloween decorations.
There’s one person in my neighborhood who keeps their 12-foot skeleton up all year around, but just takes the legs off in the offseason. I think I’d definitely have to say something to them if I lived next door.
Elizabeth Wellington
Only you can call me Grinchy McGrinch.
But what do you say to a person about their decorations? I hate your pumpkins and cornucopia, please take them down until Sept. 1? That’s wrong, too. I think we McGrinches have to grin and bear it.
For the record, I think Eagles decorations are about Philly pride and sportsmanship (and I’m not even a sports fan). They don’t make me grimace. They are allowed to be up year round just because. That’s contradictory, isn’t it?
I think First Amendment rights extend to holiday decorations, even though it makes me crazy.
Stephanie Farr
Bringing in the founding principles of our country, that’s some heavy fire power!
It’s very admirable of you to grin and bear it in silence. But I also think there’s a growing portion of the population who do whatever they want and don’t care how it affects others and that does bother me.
Elizabeth Wellington
I just don’t think putting up holiday decorations rises to the level of infringing on my rights. It’s infringing on my personal joy, yes. But not my rights. Why should I be forced to think about my future because you don’t want to deal with your present?
Stephanie Farr
I guess it depends on whether you put your decorations out early to bring yourself joy or to bring joy to others. In the end, the only person you can make happy is yourself, so if you find putting skeletons up in August humerus, go for it.
But if you put your Halloween decorations up in August to bring joy to others, they’re going to lose their luster by the time October comes.
Elizabeth Wellington
Yeah, if you like getting all gussied up for the holiday, go for it. Nobody can stop you. Just know you might be triggering Scrooges... Your joy isn’t someone else’s.
Stephanie Farr
One person’s treat could always be another person’s trick — or ick.
