Overall, money spent on seasonal decorations last year totaled $16 billion, up 9% from 2004, according to Mintel International Group, Ltd., a market-research firm.
Inflatable yard decorations, like the ones displayed in front of this home in the Brook Forest community outside Houston, were the fastest-growing decorating category in 2006. People spent $500 million on inflatables last year, up from $100 million in 2003.
The decorating contest among residents of the Brook Forest community outside Houston has grown every year. Here's one contest entry in the neighborhood.
This 28-foot lighted arch was a part of Jim McDilda's holiday display last year. The Redding, Calif., resident used a crane to set up his decorations, which also included a 50-foot tree and 50,000 lights.
This year, for the first time, Gemmy Industries Corp., a manufacturer of nylon inflatables, sponsored a contest entreating people to send in photos of their decked-out yards. The prize: more Gemmy decorations. Here's one entry.
Kat Shumar, an Indianapolis homeowner, airs her grievances about gaudy Christmas decorations on tackychristmasyards.com, and challenges readers to send in pictures of yards with the most aesthetic "violations." Ms. Shumar dubs this Indianapolis home "The Brigade."
Ms. Shumar calls this photo, of a home in Greenwood, Ind., a possible "Intermingling Violation," which, she explains, "is when more than one theme is presented through décor in too close of a proximity. For instance, Jesus was not born in the North Pole, the reindeer didn't look into the manger, Santa was not one of the wise men... ."
