'Do better': Angry note over Christmas tradition triggers outrage
A letter from a "passive aggressive" neighbour criticising a woman for not putting up her Christmas lights has triggered a wave of anger.
The letter was left in Alex LeBlanc's mailbox this week, which had her questioning the anonymous neighbour's audacity.
"We got this "awesome" letter in our mailbox along with at least 3 other neighbours, which means this person took time and money to shame neighbours," the Canadian said on Facebook.
The letter, which was later posted on Reddit, claimed the woman had "chosen to be a grinch, and not put up Christmas lights".
"You have disappointed all the children, young, and old in your community!" it continued. "LED lights are inexpensive to run and can be purchased even in second hand stores for reasonable prices! They can last years! I'm sure cost is not an issue as it is more about being too busy with your devices than anything else!"
The anonymous neighbour said the woman should "do better" next year to "bring a smile to those in need".
"It only takes a little effort to make a big difference! Putting lights up for other faiths counts too! Happy Holidays!!".
After reading the shocking letter, Ms LeBlanc shared that people should be spreading "kindness, not shame".
"There are so many reasons a house may not have lights up and frankly it's no one's business," she said.
Ms LeBlanc said the money spent on printing such notes, which included Christmas stickers, should have instead been donated to struggling local businesses.
Social media users react to strange Christmas letter
The post on Reddit was viewed by thousands and no doubt had people audibly-gasping and slamming the neighbour as "passive aggressive".
"Must be great to have all that available time and money to shame people on not having Christmas spirit," one person said.
"If the lights are so inexpensive, why not gift their neighbours who don’t have any?" another questioned.
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"If I had planned to put on decorations and got a letter like this I would put my Halloween decorations back up" a third person joked on Twitter.
Some also highlighted that not everyone celebrates Christmas or can physically put up lights.
"What if you worked away? Weren’t able bodied or didn’t celebrate Christmas… this is actually insane. Definitely a Karen behind this letter," one said.
"Imagine being Jewish and getting this put in your mailbox lol" another posted on Twitter.
Others also pointed out that the neighbour should have more understanding for other people's situations.
"My mom passed away the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 2010," one person shared on Twitter. "I barely felt like putting up a tree, I definitely didn’t put up lights. If I’d gotten a letter like that, I would have had a breakdown. You just don’t know what people are going through."
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