It's illegal to have your Christmas lights up for too long in one US city

It appears that many folks are putting up their Christmas trees and decorations earlier and earlier this year.

I don't want to be a Grinch here, but walking round your local neighborhood in mid-November and seeing the Xmas decorations out... I mean, really.

Well, one US city has already taken steps to prevent its residents from having their Christmas lights up for too long.

To be honest, the vast majority of us I feel take the festive lights down at the start of January.

Traditionally, it is believed that you should take them down on the 12th night after Christmas Day - meaning 6 January.

However, many religious groups do disagree on the exact date - but know for sure it is the start of January.

Pexels

But if you are a bit of a Christmas fanatic you may even decide to have Christmas lights up at other parts of the year, and dare I say into February and March.

While this is not illegal in the majority of US cities, you'll certainly get a few odd looks from your neighbors.

But in San Diego you are actually breaking the law if you have Christmas lights put outside your past a certain date.

To be fair, the city does give people well into the new year to take their lights down, with a deadline of 2 February set by local authorities.

If Christmas lights are found to be up outside your home past that date, then residents can be subject to a fine of up to $250.

Craig Anderson on behalf of Top Rated Law said: "Keeping your Christmas lights on inside your home for however long you want is naturally no issue at all, but leaving them on outside your home for a long period of time might cause conflicts with neighbours, as well as landing you with a pretty hefty fine."

Getty Stock Photo

San Diego is certainly not alone in being a city or state to have some rather strange Christmas laws.

In the state of Arkansas, it is illegal to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage on Christmas Day.

Of course, you can enjoy a drink or two in the privacy of your own home, but you'll have to make sure it's all purchased before the big day.

Meanwhile, in Michigan it is illegal to transport a freshly cut Christmas tree without proof of purchase, with the law in place to tackle illegal tree harvesting in the state.