Outdoor decorations have grown over the years, not just in theme but in size. Outdoor Christmas decorations have shifted from more straightforward, hand-painted or classic decorations like blow-molds and icicle lights to LED-driven light shows, animated figures, and the extremely popular inflatables that grow in height with each passing year.
Inflatables are easy to set up and take down. They require little storage space and feature bright, large, whimsical designs with popular characters that create a visual impact in holiday light displays.
In 2001, Gemmy Industries, a Texas-based company once known for creating “Big Mouth Billy Bass,” launched its first airblown inflatable: an 8-foot-tall Santa. Gemmy has been the leader in innovating seasonal and holiday products since 1984.
The designs have come a long way since then; they have improved and gotten bigger. Gemmy started licensing large amounts of brands, from Disney and Star Wars to Peanuts, "Elf," "The Grinch" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Here are some of the large inflatables you might catch while you are taking an evening drive to see the holiday lights in your area:
