December brings festive lights, inflatable Santas, and—if you’re a community manager—more than a few emails about what’s allowed, what’s not, and why someone’s neighbor has a 12-foot reindeer on the roof.
Holiday decorations are a great way to build community spirit, but they can also lead to confusion, complaints, and even violations if expectations aren’t clearly set.
Here’s how to navigate the season with clarity, consistency, and a little cheer—so everyone enjoys the holidays without the drama.
🎄 1. Review Your Community’s Current Decoration Policy
Why it matters: Many HOAs already have a holiday decor policy—but it may be vague, outdated, or misunderstood.
What to do:
-
Revisit the CC&Rs or community guidelines to find the section on holiday decorations
-
Note specifics about timeline, placement, size limits, noise, lights, or inflatables
-
If there is no formal policy, draft a temporary notice using general best practices (see #2)
Be sure you’re enforcing actual rules—not personal preferences.
📆 2. Send a Friendly Reminder With Dates and Guidelines
Why it matters: Most residents want to follow the rules—they just need clear guidance.
What to include:
-
Allowed dates (e.g. “Decorations may go up after Thanksgiving and should be removed by January 10”)
-
Restrictions on roof displays, lawn inflatables, flashing lights, or audio/music
-
Safety reminders (e.g. cords not across walkways, no blocking fire lanes or exits)
-
Note whether decorations are allowed on common areas, balconies, fences, etc.
Use a warm tone—reminders feel better when they don’t sound like citations.
🕊 3. Promote Respect and Inclusivity
Why it matters: Not every resident celebrates the same holidays, and that should be acknowledged respectfully.
Best practices:
-
Encourage boards or committees to allow reasonable, tasteful decorations for all recognized holidays
-
Consider highlighting multi-holiday displays in newsletters or community social media
-
Avoid restricting decorations to “Christmas-only” unless your policy is very clearly defined and enforceable
Celebrating diversity helps avoid conflict and builds a stronger sense of belonging.
🛠 4. Prepare for Enforcement (But Lead With Courtesy)
Why it matters: Sometimes, residents go overboard or ignore rules—be ready to respond fairly.
How to handle it:
-
Document the issue with photos and note the specific guideline being violated
-
Start with a polite written reminder—many issues can be resolved without escalation
-
For ongoing violations, follow the standard enforcement process set by your HOA or management company
Avoid subjective enforcement (e.g. “It just looks bad”) and stick to the policy.
✅ 5. End the Season With Positivity
Why it matters: How you handle holiday issues now will shape resident tone going into the new year.
Ideas:
-
Share “Best Decorated Balcony” or “Most Creative Display” awards to celebrate participation
-
Thank residents for their cooperation and positivity during the season
-
Remind residents that winter cleanups and vendor walkthroughs will begin in January
A little appreciation can go a long way in building goodwill.
🎁 Celebrate Without the Chaos
Holiday decorations should bring joy—not headaches. With clear communication, consistent enforcement, and a respectful tone, you can help your community celebrate safely, fairly, and festively.