A family in Kingstanding, Birmingham, has transformed their home into a festive landmark by installing a 25-foot-tall inflatable Santa Claus on the front of their house.
A Festive Ambition Takes Flight
Gemma Webb, a mother of four living on College Road, initially planned for a display of twinkling lights this Christmas. However, she felt it wasn't quite enough and wanted to create something more spectacular. Her inspiration came from a friend's impressive Halloween and Christmas displays in the Yew Tree area.
The giant Santa was a gift, and despite arriving compactly, "the size of a bin bag," according to Gemma, it revealed its true scale once inflated. The installation wasn't without its dramatic moments. During the initial setup, the colossal figure nearly made a break for it. "When we first blew him up, he started to blow away over our garden wall and up College Road and we had to catch him," Gemma recounted.
Securing the Jolly Giant
To prevent Father Christmas from taking an unscheduled trip along the nearby dual carriageway, the family had to get creative with their securing methods. They now use heavy-duty car straps to firmly attach him to the wall, ensuring he stays put to spread joy, not cause traffic incidents.
The Santa, which takes just minutes to inflate and deflate, is gently lit by a strip of light. His arms are designed to wave in the wind, much to the delight of onlookers, though this initially led to him "smacking the window" until he was fully stabilised. On particularly windy days, the family deflates him for safety.
Spreading Community Joy
The reaction from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive. Schoolchildren squeal with excitement, drivers shout compliments from their cars, and people regularly stop to take selfies with the mega Santa.
"We've had people shout 'he's a big one' out of their windows, kids scream 'Santa' and people take pictures," said Gemma. For her, the display holds special significance in keeping the magic of Christmas alive for her children, particularly her youngest who still believes.
"All my friends have messaged saying they have seen Santas," she added. "My youngest is the only one who believes in Santa and it is nice for us adults too." The 25-foot figure, too large for any chimney, has successfully become a beacon of festive spirit for the entire Kingstanding neighbourhood.
