A festive father-to-be in Greater London has vowed to keep his towering Christmas decorations on display after receiving a scathing anonymous letter from a neighbour who branded the 20ft inflatables an "eyesore".
Oversized Santas Spark Street Spat
Dave Goodings, a 31-year-old DJ from Chessington, was left stunned when a venomous note was slipped through his letterbox on Monday, December 2. The letter condemned his two massive festive inflatables—a Santa and a snowman—as "cheap, tacky and completely out of place" on their quiet street. The irate writer threatened to report the display to the council and residents' association if it was not taken down immediately.
A Festive Mix-Up Becomes a Tradition
The festive saga began last year when Dave mistakenly ordered what he thought was a 4ft inflatable Santa from B&Q for £24.99. Upon discovering it was actually a colossal 20ft figure, he decided to embrace the error. The decoration proved a hit with passers-by, prompting him to add a second giant—a £179 inflatable snowman—this past Sunday. "We are expecting our first baby early next year, so this really felt like the Christmas where we could go completely over the top," Dave explained.
He noted that the display has become a local attraction, with people slowing their cars and taking detours to see it, especially given the proximity to Chessington World of Adventures. "We have somehow become known for it," he said. "It brings so much joy."
Standing Firm Against the 'Unhappy Neighbour'
Despite the harsh criticism in the anonymous letter, which claimed the inflatables "ruin the character of the road", Dave has stood his ground. While initially concerned about upsetting a neighbour, he now finds the situation somewhat amusing. "It's the time of year when you can let your hair down, but someone doesn't feel the same as us," he remarked.
The DJ emphasised that no one had spoken to him directly about the display, and he does not know who sent the complaint. He remains defiant, stating the letter has only made the situation funnier. "I get that they're big, but it's Christmas, not a crime scene," Dave concluded, confirming the giant Santas will stay up for the festive season.
