They crop up on lawns everywhere around here, just like a bad case of crabgrass or a disease that spreads. They come in about 300 different types and varieties. Sometimes there can even be three or four to a yard. They can be lighted, or not. It can be snowing inside them, or not. What are these alien life forms you ask? Inflatables! Also known as “airblowns.” They have a constant flow of air keeping them inflated. Just plug them in and away they go! Hey-ho! Many people only leave them plugged in at night for display purposes so that during the day they just lay on lawns like spent bladders. Splat. Flat on the ground in one big puddle of plastic and fabric, and not very attractive.

Before moving to New Jersey, neither Rick or I had seen this form of holiday decoration before. They just haven’t caught on in Colorado I guess. But they are big here, very big.

I couldn’t resist photographing them when I went by a local nursery and saw their huge selection. It was just too funny to pass up. So, I’m sharing with you some of the different varieties.

Here are the snowglobes, complete with snow and waving snowmen.

And then there are the carousel kind where the gingerbread men go round and round inside. Oh, and one of the guys on the lot who was curious about what I was doing taking all these photos assured me that all the macho guys want either Santa on a chopper [second photo behind the soldier], or maybe Mickey Mouse.

Okay, have you seen enough? I know I have. Hmm…tacky? Yes, definitely. But they at least show that people have the spirit of the holiday season in their hearts, even if the don’t have any taste in outdoor holiday decorations. Let’s just say that the whole inflatable situation around here is…well…overblown.

P.S. If you haven’t quite had your fill of inflatables, check out their website www.gemmy.com
They are based in Texas, which somehow doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Texas does everything, uhm, well…big.