Holiday Decorating

Each year, a member will ask the board about decorating the association property for the holidays. I am personally opposed to this for a few reasons. First, the members request Christmas decorations and that takes the "association" to a place of endorsing a religion. Second, it costs money to purchase decorations and properly install them (and maintain them once you have a theme going). Third, it costs money to run holiday lights and I think it would be doubly offensive to ask someone of a different religion to not only have their neighborhood decorated for one faith but to also have to fund the light bill for that decoration.

As such, I was wondering if that issue every come up for anyone and how they resolved it.

This is how we handle it also.

I did think about the perspective that Christmas is common. However, what if the Indian residents want to decorate for Diwali? And, how about for Haunnukah? It would seem to me that an association making effort AND charging residents to run decorations for any holiday is selective to one group. Since we live in America, perhaps the national holidays like 4th of July or Thanksgiving might be something I could support, but not something connected with some residents religion (even if it were to be the majority).

Absolutely! There are still pagans who are upset that early Christians stole it from them, and used it for themselves. Why couldn't they have just celebrated their Savior's birthday in the spring, when it actually occurred? Why did they have to steal winter solstice?

Sorry. Can't help but ask. Did you press charges? Would that be considered a hate crime? What was his excuse?

In regards to the original post. I think it is very hard to avoid holiday lights arguments (especially when many feel very strongly about Christmas) but feel the right thing to do is continue not endorsing a particular faith. If they want to live in a religious community they can join a cult. I do like the idea of celebrating American holidays, like 4th of July, or maybe even New Years (that's close enough to some other holidays that maybe some will be pleased).

Because the director (who currently boasts on his online resume on Indeed that he handles "the property's finances, budgets, contracts, and legal issues" even after losing 3 out of 3 court cases) also stole the real estate for sale sign, it was hard to show exactly why he targeted our unit. He was warned by the police that this was very close to being a hate crime.

The directors did indeed make a show by putting up a Christmas-oriented handmade decorations on the community board in December, but I didn't take photos of the wreaths etc. on the doors for Christmas. According to that director they had a holiday party and not a board meeting just before Christmas (they took down notification of the meeting after we asked about the meeting...the notification didn't have the place). Further I am not a member of a major religious community which is to say that although people of my religion are being persecuted in other areas of the world, it is not a major concern of any major American organization, celebrity or political figure.

No one asked the real reason why this person was targeting us. As a result, we moved, but the HOA lost three small claims court cases in less than six months and the insurance paid out tens of thousands (most of which went to the attorneys). Further, while I am not an attorney, I am a woman and in all cases, my views on legal liability were dismissed by not only the board of directors, but by all the men who were the main speakers during meetings.

I believe, however, that the reason the insurance agent was willing to settle out of court and paid for two full days of mediation at a very high-priced place was because the insurance agent understood that the HOA did not have good standing and could not justify any of its actions. That included the action of petty theft. We now had two police officers as witnesses and yet that didn't shake the faith of the HOA members in this particular board director. He still serves in that capacity.

I've actually posted online about our legal journey, mostly because few people know how to challenge a judge's decision in small claims court (as plaintiff/claimant) or how to bring a contempt of court charge in small claims court and do so successfully.

Decorations can build a form of community spirit, but only if the community steps forward and does the work. I'd not waste a dime of HOA dues money in the setup of seasonal lighting, but I can't say such "Christmas lights" would place any burden on HOA utility bills. They simply would not. In our society, for the time being, most people support the end-of-year religious and cultural observances. No, I'm willing to suppress these outreaches of spirit to serve a handful of agnostics. Their opinions and beliefs are no more superior to any other person in our community. An HOA should not necessarily endorse nor hinder expression; it should try to accommodate those living within it without allowing tyrannies of the very small minority to lead legislative decisions.

Yes, but the religious event was the celebration of the Roman Emperor's birthday on the Winter Solstice, about December 22 or 23 on the modern calendar. The early Christians used the occasion to secretly celebrate the birth of Christ. Somewhere along the line differences in calendars set the date for Christmas a few days after the solstice.

I agree. If you decide on limits (such as on the door) and size of banners and then allow for diversity (meaning not everyone has to agree on what is good taste) and allow for people outside of the mainstream (e.g. Non-Christians and Non-Jews) to express their holiday/holy days in a similar manner, the HOA is spared the expense and controversy.

Got to have some limits is size and scope. My pagan friends like to have a big bonfire and dance around it naked and singing as their major holiday event. I suppose in CA this would be peachy cream fine......LOL

Awww; it's OK JM. John46 gets snarky about Cali from time to time. But John, You're invited to our HOA's clothing optional Winter Solstice bash. Come on out and hang with us!

We do not decorate common areas at all.. this is not appropriate giving our community has athiest, christian, jewish, muslim etc.... any decorations in my eyes is poor taste.

Let the individual decorate their own home.. and leave it as that.

I just looked back at this because I am now faced with this issue. I must argue that tyrannies of the minority is exactly what our society was set up to deal with. In fact, that's what the pilgrims were -- a small minority wanting freedom from other people's religion. An HOA is not a social club -- it is a business.

Remember, a lot of cultural holidays are in Spring. So, will decorating only be allowed for certain holidays? As a board member, I did not support taking positions on holidays because you are there to manage a business. Social aspects should be handled by committees so they can discover and debate the feelings on those issues. An HOA is not a social club and there seems to be a tendency for people to make it as such. How about allowing people to decorate for their "holiday" or "cultural event" for 30 days and leave it at that. When it's gay pride, they can fly a flag. When it's Diwali, they have have lights, etc.