Bristol family sent letter calling Halloween display 'too scary'

Ms Adams-Steele and her two children had fun creating the display

A mother was left upset after being told her Halloween display was "too aggressive and scary" in an anonymous letter posted through her door.

Lia Adams-Steele, 35, lives on the edge of Bristol, and decorated her front garden with cobwebs, pumpkins and three witches with her two young children.

The letter said "images of witches are offensive and scary to some and give nightmares to their children".

Miss Adams-Steele said she thought the letter was scarier than her display.

"I was upset to receive this letter, that was personal.

"I understand that not everyone celebrates Halloween but I don't see our display as aggressive.

"I am truly sorry if I have offended or I have caused some person's children's nightmare with our display - but I think this letter was uncalled for," she said.

Miss Adams-Steele added she thought her display in Longwell Green was "kid friendly", and not frightening.

The letter was sent in the post from someone anonymously

The display outside her house has a wooden gingerbread house and three witches, all made with recycled materials.

The mum-of-two said her children, aged five and seven, enjoy arts and crafts and had a great time coming up with the idea.

She said: "I find myself coming up with ideas of things we can do that are low budget - using things we have got at home and trying to use rubbish and upcycling to show the kids that out of recycling, you can create something amazing.

"Me and the kids spent days, hours, painting and putting this all together.

"It was a really special period of time for us working together as a team and seeing how the display was forming a shape."

Lia Adams-Steele display was made from recycled materials

The mum said she was encouraged by some neighbours during the build, who said they thought it was a fun thing to do with the kids.

She added: "I think it's more scary someone went to the effort of typing up the letter to be honest.

"In 2023 I feel a little bit scared that I had to receive a letter like this."

Ms Adams-Steele posted a picture on a local Facebook group asking neighbours if they felt her display was too scary.

'I'm not evil'

She said she received more than 300 supportive comments, adding if people had told her it was too much, she would have considered taking it down.

One comment read: "You're Halloween display is too scary?! I'd say mission accomplished!"

Ms Adams-Steele said "I'm not a bad person, I'm not an evil person - I'm just a mum who wanted to make their kids happy with creating something special so I am keeping the display.

"I don't mind whoever has written the letter but I think I deserved a name to the letter, so at least I can say to this person I am truly sorry I've offended you or caused a nightmare.

"I don't think an anonymous letter was fair."