Christmas decoration question

[Z-man]

So,
We got a couple of those fan-powered rip-stop nylon decorations.

So - should I keep the fan running 24 x 7, or put them on a timer and have them deflate in the middle of the night?

My reasoning for keeping them up and running 24 x 7 is that there will be less wear and tear on the fans, lights, and even the fabric. Keeping it running will probably run me an extra $2.00 in electric usage for December...

So - what does the Pelican braintrust say?

Here's a shot of my humble little Christmas lawn decor:



-Z

[bmcuscgr94]

I've got mine on a timer. The lights and fan noise "bother" some of the neighbors if they stay on too late or start too early. They come on at noon and go off at 9.

[Jim Richards]

You need to import some snow, Z-man. Ho ho ho.

[Rusty Heap]

The reindeer eye balls look like nipples and boobies, warning, the admins on this site are pretty picky about what "flies" and doesn't around here............(flying reindeer joke insert)


You sure that Inflate-a-things really spells out christmas spirit? e-gads, or Good Grief as Charlie Brown would say...


At home depot or Lowes, I see inflate-a-santa on a Harley, or with a motorized helicopter or outhouse door swinging open..........part of me think major time to break out the Red Rider bb gun........I just don't understand Inflate-a-spirit other than $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for stores

[CHICKS]

In highschool we use to drive around and shoot them with a tator gun. I wouldnt buy any, they are tacky as hell.

[Oh Haha]

We keep our Homer Simpson inflated from about 5pm until 10pm or so.

I absolutely hate having anything for ANY holiday on my lawn but when you're married w/kids apparently you have to compromise.

My wife has flags and decorations for pretty much every holiday. She puts them up and takes them down as she knows better than to ask me(except for the wreath on the second story).

The frikkin' sand filled Santa that WAS on the front door handle may have disappeared earlier tonight. Bye bye Santa.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by CHICKS

I wouldnt buy any, they are tacky as hell.

I know, but hey - at least I'm not putting up those awful icicle lights and keeping them up year round! (What are people thinking? "Geez - I can leave them up year round - no one will notice them unless I turn on the lights!!!")

I resisted buying such lawn ornaments for years, but I finally caved -- six stakes in the ground, plug it in, and I'm done. At least it isn't Santa riding on a Harley or somethin'

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

We keep our Homer Simpson inflated from about 5pm until 10pm or so.

I absolutely hate having anything for ANY holiday on my lawn but when you're married w/kids apparently you have to compromise.

My wife has flags and decorations for pretty much every holiday. She puts them up and takes them down as she knows better than to ask me(except for the wreath on the second story).

The frikkin' sand filled Santa that WAS on the front door handle may have disappeared earlier tonight. Bye bye Santa.

What are you, the Grinch or somethin' ??

The next house I buy is going to have the "outline of the roof" lights installed so I all have to do is flick a switch in the garage, hang a wreath on the front door, and voila - I'm done!

[Heel n Toe]

Run 'em 24/7, but I have a question; how difficult is it to move them? I think it would be funny to move them to a different part of the yard every day or so, transpose their location relative to each other, distance from each other, etc.

That would cause the peeps driving by at night on the way home from work to do a double take and ask, "Wasn't that thing... over there before?"

Maybe even move it to the roof at some point.

[Z-man]

John - they are very easy to move. I like your idea. Maybe I won't tell Mrs. Z-man - they may drive her a little batty. (like being married to me hasn't already driven her batty!)

[JavaBrewer]

Z-man, honestly, ditch the Home Depot blow up decorations...and the iron bar front door. A nice wood front door with a Christmas wreath, lighted tree visible from the front window, maybe some simple non-icicle lights on the house. Call it a day. I mean that in the best possible way.

[968rz]

The next house I buy is going to have the "outline of the roof" lights installed so I all have to do is flick a switch in the garage, hang a wreath on the front door, and voila - I'm done!

I use those LED rope lights to do that very thing, mine are blue and not too noticeable shoved way up in the corner; if you use white/clear it would be even better.

Sure is nice not going up a ladder 30' on those crappy 32deg rainy/snowy days to put up lights that will only be used for a few weeks.

[Gogar]

Z-man,

Please don't apply the "Low-Mileage" mentality to a $40 CHRISTMAS INFLATABLE.

Cmon, man.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Z-man, honestly, ditch the Home Depot blow up decorations...and the iron bar front door. A nice wood front door with a Christmas wreath, lighted tree visible from the front window, maybe some simple non-icicle lights on the house. Call it a day. I mean that in the best possible way.

That is eventually the plan - we hope to redo our front entrance, and in doing so, we would remove our 'prison cell' storm door. A nice non-wood door (too much climate fluctuation to use a wood door) with a wreath on it would certainly be more diginified than bambi and a bear plopped on our front lawn.

Until then, we'll just go with the cheezy look. BTW: if you think my lawn is tacky, you should see the neighbor's decorations. I'm talking light-up manger complete with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, with Santa and the Snowman standing guard. Beside that is a Mickey Mouse blow-up, and on the other side, a light-up metal frame choo-choo train. Plus lights, tinsel...etc.

So compared to them, I'm downright subtle in the decor!!

-Z-man.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by Z-man

That is eventually the plan - we hope to redo our front entrance, and in doing so, we would remove our 'prison cell' storm door. A nice non-wood door (too much climate fluctuation to use a wood door) with a wreath on it would certainly be more diginified than bambi and a bear plopped on our front lawn.

Until then, we'll just go with the cheezy look. BTW: if you think my lawn is tacky, you should see the neighbor's decorations. I'm talking light-up manger complete with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, with Santa and the Snowman standing guard. Beside that is a Mickey Mouse blow-up, and on the other side, a light-up metal frame choo-choo train. Plus lights, tinsel...etc.

So compared to them, I'm downright subtle in the decor!!

-Z-man.

We need pictures of this, Z-man!

[Oh Haha]

Nope, not a Grinch. I just don't care to have anything in my yard that doesn't belong.

It's just me. I also don't like the kids playing in fresh snow in the front.

Yeah, I know. I have issues.


Merry Chrismas, you guys!!

[Brian 162]

I had my halloween decoration going for 24-7 for 3 weeks with no issues. The second year I used it I read the directions. It stated not to run fan longer than 10 hours at a time. So now I leave it on a timer for 6 hours a day.