My neighbours say I’m the ‘laughing stock’ of my street because of my ‘tacky’ Christmas decorations – they’re Scrooges
NEIGHBOURS on a street in Somerset are in for a surprise with one resident taking a sparkly approach to the festive season.
Hannah Cape, 32, has been dressing up her front door celebrating the comings and goings of the seasons for years.
But a simple wreath and a string of fairylights simply won’t do and Hannah has made a name for herself by going all-out at Christmas time.
The florist who specialises in faux flowers, and lives in Minehead, Somerset, has ruffled feathers previously with her gingerbread and nutcracker-themed displays which have been deemed “tasteless and tacky” by neighbours.
In 2022, her bright pink door decor was slammed by a local who said it had turned the street into ‘a laughing stock.’
One angry neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said at the time: “I understand that people want to celebrate Christmas but this is totally over the top.
“Why can’t people just put up a simple wreath on their door – that would be more in keeping with the neighbourhood.”
While another disgruntled neighbour added: “This latest creation is just making the neighbourhood a laughing stock.”
Hannah, who changes her door decorations with the seasons, spent £685 decorating her front door for Christmas that year.
The Nutcracker cost £250, while the wreath and festive arch cost £435 to put together and took five hours to complete.
She explains: “All I’m doing is trying to brighten the estate up and at the same time advertising my business.
“It’s no different to a painter and decorator having a sign outside his home – although I think that this is a bit more tasteful.
“When the neighbours knocked on the door, they asked what the display was and why I was doing it
“Their complaint was along the lines of ‘it’s a bit over the top’ and ‘tacky’ for a neighbourhood such as ours.”
Last year, Hannah went for a gingerbread theme which went down better with onlookers.
Neighbour Caroline Cape, 63, said Hannah’s 2023 Gingerbread-themed front door was one of the best she had produced.
Caroline said: “Hannah is amazingly talented and what she produces not just at Christmas but throughout the year is fantastic.
“It’s her way of brightening up her street as well as showcasing her business.
“Anyone who has a problem with it should come and have a word with me and I’ll put them straight.”
Another neighbour Tony Belvoir, 66, said: “Why can’t people just accept that here is a young woman who is doing her best to make her neighbourhood fun?
“My grandchildren love coming around every year to see what Hannah has created and as far as I’m concerned she can carry on decorating.
“Those having a go at her efforts are just Scrooge-like figures who don’t know the meaning of the word Christmas.”
She hopes that her theme this year of disco and glitter will win over her disgruntled neighbours.
Nine Christmas decor mistakes that make your home look cheap
AN interior designer has insisted there are nine ways your Christmas decorations could make your home look cheap.
Paulina Wojas, interior designer at Stunning Chairs, reveals what to avoid and how you can create a tasteful, festive atmosphere at home instead.
- Mixed themes – Displaying Christmas decorations that don’t flow together can lead to a horrible appearance, making the home look cheap.
- Novelty Decorations – These also lack timelessness and therefore are a poor investment.
- Wrong-sized Christmas tree – A tree that’s too large or too small can disrupt the room’s aesthetic and make the space look cheap.
- Overdecorating – Following a less-is-more approach is key to achieving a beautiful home for Christmas.
- Lighting – While colourful lights in white, red, blue, or green may seem festive, they can often make your home look cheap.
- Low-Quality Faux Greenery – Artificial greenery that looks obviously fake or too shiny can cheapen your overall decor.
- Cluttered Christmas Tree – A tree overloaded with mismatched ornaments can look less elegant and more like a mismatched collection.
- Overusing Tinsel – An overabundance of it can give your decor an “outdated, kitschy feel” making your space look like a cheap shop display.
- Using Too Many Glittery Items – Glitter, while festive, can easily create an overly flashy, tacky aesthetic when overused, making decorations look more like party favours than refined Christmas decor.
“My husband and I got married earlier this year – our wedding theme was pink [and] orange with disco balls, so I wanted the challenge of creating a Christmas door with the same theme,” says Hannah, who is also known as ‘Artificial Hannah’ online.
“[I want] it to bring fun into Christmas.
“It’s not to everyone’s taste but the colour and fun should make people smile.
“[I think] the majority will say it looks pretty but I’m sure I’ll have a few neighbours who hate it.
“Or find it distasteful – but only five neighbours drive past to see it.”
This year’s glitter ball theme might be Hannah’s brightest yet – and she’s been savvy with her spending by recycling products from previous decorations.
All in all, the amazingly festive door cost her just £200 to create.
Hannah says: “I’ve re-used all the pine from last year’s display.
“The nutcracker is from three years ago.
“But he’s had a makeover from the local paint shop, so he matches the door perfectly.
I think the majority will say it looks pretty but I’m sure I’ll have a few neighbours who hate it
Hannah Cape
“All I had to buy was the baubles and flowers, which came to around £200.“
The waste will be minimal, too.
Hannah said: “After the display is finished, the flowers will all be reused.
“The only waste will be a few cable ties.
“Nothing gets wasted [except for] maybe a few floppy orange slices!
“I’ve had zero time to decorate the door for other events this year, because wedding planning and work took up all my time.
“So I just focused on Christmas.”