In the past few years, Christmas inflatables have become extremely popular outdoor decorations. They're big, bright, and full of holiday cheer.
Gemmy Industries
The primary manufacturer of Christmas inflatables is Gemmy. For more than 20 years, Gemmy has been the leader in seasonal décor, novelty products, and animated gifts. They create literally hundreds of Christmas inflatables, yard decorations, toys, gifts, and other items.
They have an extensive distribution channel. Many of the Christmas inflatables you'll find on other sites or in retail outlets will be Gemmy products. The Gemmy website lists all of their available merchandise and also the locations most likely to carry a particular item.
While you can't order directly from their website, Gemmy's customer service page offers helpful tips on operating and maintaining an inflatable and other yard decorations, and information on their other products.
Online Sources
Buy Inflatables
Buy Inflatables claims to be the largest online retailer of the Gemmy brand. It features an exclusive line of Christmas inflatables featuring Disney-licensed characters.
Westminster Fun
Westminster Fun's top three best-selling Christmas inflatables include the Frosty the Snowman and Christmas Mickey.
Creatable Inflatables
If you need a giant Christmas inflatable for your business or holiday carnival, or if you just have a desire to decorate as big as you can, Creatable Inflatables is the place to go. The company can manufacture a custom inflatable in as little as five weeks.
Retail Outlets
Some holiday shoppers prefer to see the inflatables up-close, so it's a good thing that many local stores stock a variety of Christmas inflatables. Home stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, All American, and Menard's often have entire Christmas decoration sections with all their inflatable merchandise on display and activated. Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, Costco, BJ's, Sam's Warehouse, Ace Hardware, and Garden Ridge carry a wide selection of products, too.
Many of these retailers also sell inflatables on their websites.
What You Can Expect to Pay
The average Christmas inflatable price is $100, with some as low as $20 and others as high as $350. Quality, design, number of components, size, and construction are all important factors to consider.
Setting Up Your Christmas Inflatables
A quality inflatable will be made of a weather-resistant nylon if it's to be put outside, and it includes the necessary setup equipment:
- Tethers
- Stakes
- Air compressor or fan
- In some cases, a deflator
Make sure to use a UL-approved outdoor extension cord and don't overload electrical sockets or cords with too many decorations. And avoid sharp tree branches!
If the inflatable is only to be used indoors, it still should have a weighted base and a fan. Once uplugged, it will automatically deflate.
External Links
If you need more interactive inflatables for a church bazaar, charity function, outdoor festival, or birthday party, visit Creatable Inflatables for ideas and products.
