Americans spend more than $6 billion on Christmas decorations each year. That includes indoor and outdoor decor. Inflatables are a huge portion of that expenditure as consumers look for easy ways to decorate without dangling from the roof like Clark W. Griswold.
While I love a good inflatable as much as the next person, there are some that leave me wondering, what are the designers thinking?
I was in Walmart last night and spotted the Santa in the Outhouse inflatable. Notice the toilet paper is on the outside. We know Santa needs to go the bathroom, like the rest of us, but do we need a visual?
Here are seven inflatables that left me scratching my head:
1. Santa in the Outhouse - $99 at Walmart. Notice the toilet paper is on the outside. The inflatable is animated with Santa opening and closing the door. What's really funny is that this inflatable is pictured in front of a pretty classy looking house for those of you purchasing it online. Go here.
2. Duck dressed in safety orange and camo - $19.98 at Home Depot. I'm not sure what ducks would hunt or if this is for duck hunters but the duck looks sad either way. Go here to check it out online.
3. Gospel Trio featuring Santa, Reindeer & Snowman- $199 at Home Depot. This is such a weird inflatable to me for a number of reasons but Santa's beard sticks out the most. It looks dirty. Go here to check it out online.
4. Beer Belly Nutcracker - $89.99 Go here to check it out. This creation was available in stores at Lowe's last year but I haven't seen it this year - yet. You can get it online. It's a little disturbing.
5. Camo Santa - $39.99 at Lowe's. While I get the idea behind this inflatable, the execution is lacking. You may be able to tell Santa is in camo during the day but at night this will probably translate into a Pilgrim Santa. The hat and giant belt buckle place Santa on the Mayflower instead of a sled. Go here to check it out.
6. North Pole Hold em Santa - $169 Amazon. So Santa likes to gamble? Maybe he's betting cookies and presents instead cash. I'm not sure, I just hope he doesn't have a gambling problem. It will stink if he bankrupts the North Pole. Go here to check it out.
7. Hippie Santa Make Nice Not Naughty - $120 Amazon. Whaaaaat did Santa just say? Mama, what does that mean? Go here to check it out.
Tell me, would you decorate with any of these? Am I missing the boat on some of these? Do you own one of these?