Holiday Lights and Decorations: A Guide for West Winds Residents

The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and the beloved tradition of decorating our homes with festive lights and displays. At West Winds, we embrace the spirit of celebration while maintaining the neighborly atmosphere our community is known for. To help everyone enjoy the holidays harmoniously, here's what you need to know about our holiday decoration guidelines.

When You Can Display Your Holiday Magic

Christmas Decorations: The earliest you can start spreading Christmas cheer is November 1st. Whether you're planning a simple string of lights or an elaborate winter wonderland, mark your calendar for the first day of November.

Other Holiday Celebrations: For holidays throughout the year—from Valentine's Day to Halloween—you can display decorations up to four weeks before the special day. This gives you plenty of time to show your holiday spirit while keeping displays timely and relevant.

Being a Thoughtful Neighbor

The beauty of holiday decorations lies not just in their visual appeal, but in how they bring our community together. When planning your display, consider your neighbors' comfort and peaceful enjoyment of their homes. Bright lights shouldn't shine directly into bedroom windows, and decorations should maintain the reasonable residential character we all value. Remember, the goal is to spread joy, not create disturbances that might attract unwanted attention (from space) or excessive foot traffic (unless maybe it's Halloween) to our neighborhood.

Important: Timely Removal Required

While we love seeing our community come alive with holiday spirit, it's equally important that decorations come down in a timely manner. All holiday lights and decorations must be removed within 30 days after the holiday has ended—this isn't just a suggestion, it's a requirement outlined in our CC&Rs (Section 13.36 Exterior Holiday Decorations)

Just a Reminder: All exterior holiday lights and decorations must be stored away within 30 days after the holiday has ended

We understand that taking down decorations can feel like a chore after the excitement of the holidays, but prompt removal serves several important purposes. It keeps our neighborhood looking fresh and well-maintained throughout the year, prevents weather damage to decorations left up too long, and ensures that each holiday season feels special rather than becoming a year-round fixture.

Please mark your calendars: If you put up Christmas decorations, they need to come down by January 25th (30 days after Christmas). For other holidays, count 30 days from the holiday date and set yourself a reminder.

Community Standards

Our Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) help preserve the character and value of our neighborhood. These decoration guidelines are designed to balance individual expression with community harmony. By following these simple rules, we can all enjoy beautiful holiday displays while respecting our neighbors and maintaining the standards that make West Winds a desirable place to call home.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about what constitutes appropriate holiday decorations or need clarification on timing, don't hesitate to reach out to the HOA board. We're here to help ensure everyone can celebrate the holidays while keeping our community the wonderful place we all love.

Happy decorating, and happy holidays from your West Winds HOA!

The content provided in this blog/news story is intended for informational purposes only. It is designed to offer a simplified and reader-friendly overview of pertinent sections of the West Wind HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as the relevant city of Bozeman regulations, ordinances, or laws. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this content should not be considered a substitute for the actual governing documents, applicable city laws, ordinances, or legal advice. Homeowners and residents are advised to consult the full, legally binding governing documents and city regulations or seek professional legal counsel for official reference or legal purposes.