'Neighbours hate my extreme Christmas display - this year it'll be even bigger'
A woman who received backlash from neighbours last Christmas over her Nutcracker door display is back – and she says this year's decorations will be 'even bigger'. Hannah Cox went all out for the festive season in 2022 with a show-stopping scene, much to the dismay of a disgruntled neighbour living on the same street in Somerset.
Eager to make a comeback, the 31-year-old has planned a 'gingerbread bakery' theme set to take centre stage. Hannah knows it will likely ruffle features once again – but she doesn't care in the slightest. "I know at least one household doesn't like it [my decorations] but that just makes me want to do it more," she said.
"Only three houses on the street can actually see my door as we're at the end of the road, so I feel [that] they are being a little petty. Christmas is meant to be magical and fun. [At first], I wanted to do the Grinch as a comeback. [I'm] quite stubborn and wanted to do it just a personal joke but my idea now is a Christmas gingerbread bakery.
"I'm contemplating painting the door brown, like a cookie, but not sure if this is too much – I'll decide soon. I want the display to be even bigger this year. It's not to everyone's taste but I put in a lot of effort to make it look super festive and fun."
Last year, the professional wreath-maker spent just under £700 dolling up her door, including a giant six-foot nutcracker at £250 and a jolly arch for £435. After spending five hours assembling the display, Hannah, who has 54,800 followers on her business account online (@artificialhannah ), was left bemused by her neighbours' comments.
Life-sized Shrek statue goes missing with police launching urgent searchShe said: "When they [the neighbours] knocked on the door, they asked what the display was and why I was doing it. It was along the lines of 'it's a bit over the top'." Previous displays have included spring flowers and a pumpkin spice theme. Hannah is also hitting back at people saying she wastes money and materials with her extreme decorations.
"The 2022 Nutcracker was raffled off to charity and the proceeds went to a Somerset cancer equipment charity," she explained. "All my odd flowers get donated to children's craft clubs as well. I always give back to the community after a big display.
"I just like to be different with decorating, it works great for advertising what I can do. I make the designs up In my head and change the door colour every year. It's faux and high quality, and it's all reusable." Hannah's show-stopping display is set to be revealed in November.