Sofia Martinez
Plastic yard decorations are a popular way to decorate gardens and outdoor spaces. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small garden stakes to large figurines. These decorations can be found in many materials, including plastic, aluminum, and ceramic. Plastic yard decorations are often referred to as blow moulds or lawn ornaments and are usually hollow with lights inside. They are typically used for holiday displays, such as Christmas and Halloween, and have been collected and displayed by many enthusiasts. With the rise in popularity of vintage and nostalgic items, plastic yard decorations have seen a resurgence, with some collectors paying top dollar for rare and antique pieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Blow moulds |
| Description | Hollow, hard plastic lawn decorations that light up from the inside |
| History | Have been around since the mid-20th century; their origins may be traced back to the 1950s |
| Popularity | Once considered tacky and outdated, blow moulds are now trendy and in demand |
| Price | Vintage blow moulds can be expensive, with prices ranging from $125 to several hundred dollars |
| Customization | Can be customized to represent different characters and themes, such as Christmas, Halloween, or garden animals |
| Availability | Available for purchase on websites like eBay and Etsy, as well as in vintage stores |
| Community | Dedicated groups and communities on social media platforms like Facebook exist for enthusiasts to connect, share photos, and trade items |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic yard decorations are called 'blow moulds'
Plastic yard decorations are called blow moulds. These are hollow, hard plastic lawn decorations that light up from the inside. They are usually shaped like reindeer, toy soldiers, Santa Claus, gingerbread men, and even Arctic locomotives. They have been around since at least the 1950s, having arrived around the same time as the plastic pink flamingo.
Blow moulds are made by inflating melted plastic inside a die, in a similar way to how water bottles are created, and then trimmed and painted. They are often used for Christmas decorations, with some people collecting vintage models. These vintage blow moulds can be valuable, with a light-up "Giant Santa Face" blow mould from the early '70s being valued at $300 to $400.
Collectors of blow moulds often join online communities to share photos and videos of their displays, brag about rare finds, and post items for sale. People enjoy displaying these decorations as they bring back memories and are nostalgic. While they were once considered tacky and outdated, blow moulds are now making a comeback, with people across Canada and the United States including them in their holiday displays.
Blow moulds can be time-consuming to set up, with some people taking up to three weeks to strategically place each decoration in their yard. Despite the effort involved, many people enjoy the process and the joy it brings to others.
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They are hollow, hard plastic figures that light up from the inside
Plastic yard decorations that are hollow, hard, and light up from the inside are called blow moulds. They are also sometimes referred to as blow molds (without the "u"). These decorations have been around since at least the 1950s, with some dating back to the 1960s. They are made by inflating melted plastic inside a die and then trimming and painting it. Blow moulds are often shaped like reindeer, toy soldiers, Santa Claus, gingerbread men, and even Arctic locomotives.
Once considered tacky and outdated, blow moulds are now making a comeback, with people across Canada and the United States displaying them during the holidays. They have become highly sought-after collectibles, with some rare pieces fetching several hundred dollars. Social media groups dedicated to blow moulds have also emerged, where enthusiasts share photos and videos of their displays, brag about rare finds, and buy and sell items.
Collectors seek out original vintage models, which can be quite expensive. For example, a 36-inch light-up "Giant Santa Face" blow mould from the early 1970s may have cost $65 in 2018, but its asking price in recent years has increased to the $300 to $400 range.
Setting up a display of blow moulds can be a time-consuming process, requiring strategic placement and the use of hundreds of extension cords. Despite the effort involved, many enthusiasts enjoy the joy their displays bring to others. Blow moulds have become a beloved tradition for some, with families putting them up annually and adding new pieces to their collections.
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They are popular as Christmas lawn decorations
Plastic yard decorations, also known as blow moulds, are popular as Christmas lawn decorations. These decorations are hollow and hard plastic lawn ornaments that light up from within. They are often in the shape of Christmas-themed characters such as Santa Claus, snowmen, nutcrackers, and reindeer. They can be placed on the roof, hung overhead, or simply positioned in the yard.
Blow moulds have been around since the mid-20th century and were once considered tacky and outdated. However, they have recently experienced a resurgence in popularity, with tens of thousands of people in Canada and the United States joining social media groups dedicated to sharing photos and videos of their impressive blow mould displays.
The process of setting up a blow mould display can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, requiring strategic placement and the use of extension cords for the lighting. Some enthusiasts, like Stewart from Bridgewater, NS, have extensive collections of blow moulds, with some pieces dating back to the 1960s.
The popularity of blow moulds as Christmas lawn decorations can be attributed to their nostalgic value and the joy they bring to people. They have become sought-after collectibles, with rare pieces fetching high prices in vintage stores and online. For many, setting up and displaying blow moulds has become a beloved holiday tradition, adding a touch of magic and cheer to the Christmas season.
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They are also used as yard signs for deterring smoking or vaping
Plastic yard decorations, such as vintage Christmas lawn decorations, are commonly known as "blow moulds". These hollow, hard plastic decorations often light up from the inside and are used to celebrate various holidays and seasons.
While plastic yard decorations primarily serve decorative purposes, they can also be used as functional yard signs to convey specific messages or instructions. For instance, "No Smoking or Vaping" signs made of durable plastic can be placed in yards or lawns to deter people from smoking or vaping on the premises. These signs are designed to be eye-catching and professional, featuring bold colours, prohibition symbols, and clear messages.
The effectiveness of these signs lies in their ability to attract attention and convey a clear message. Property owners or renters can install these signs to maintain a smoke-free and vape-free environment in their outdoor spaces. The signs are typically made from durable materials, such as heavy-duty aluminium or weather-resistant plastic, ensuring they last a long time without fading or rusting.
Amazon offers a range of "No Smoking or Vaping" yard signs, including the Signs Authority sign made of thick, weather-resistant metal. This sign measures 7.5 by 15 inches and features a bold red prohibition symbol and clear messaging. Another option is the SignMission sign, which is made of durable plastic with pre-drilled mounting holes for easy installation. This sign measures 12 by 8 inches and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
In addition to premade signs, customisation options are also available. For example, Etsy offers personalised metal yard signs that can be tailored to include specific names or messages. These signs can be staked into the ground and used to convey a range of information, including smoking and vaping restrictions.
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Plastic lawn decor can be purchased on Etsy
Plastic lawn decor, often referred to as blow moulds, can be purchased on Etsy. These decorations are usually hollow and hard plastic that light up from the inside. While they were once considered tacky and outdated, they are now making a comeback, with people across Canada and the United States displaying them during the holidays.
Etsy offers a variety of unique and custom plastic lawn decor items, including garden stakes, signs, sculptures, and yard art. Many of the items qualify for free shipping, and some shops even offer personalized, made-to-order pieces.
Some of the bestselling plastic lawn decor options on Etsy include large sun catcher garden stakes, fairy garden stakes, and glass jeweled garden stakes. These stakes can add a touch of colour and sparkle to any garden or lawn.
In addition to the decorative stakes, Etsy also offers plastic lawn decor in the form of signs. These signs can be personalized with family names, initials, or metal monograms and used as door hangers or housewarming gifts.
Whether you're looking for something colourful and eye-catching or something more subtle and personalized, Etsy's selection of plastic lawn decor has something for everyone. With unique, custom, and handmade pieces, you can find the perfect addition to your garden or lawn to add a touch of your personality and style.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic yard decorations are called blow moulds.
Blow moulds are hollow, hard plastic lawn decorations that light up from the inside. They are made by inflating melted plastic inside a die and then trimming and painting it.
Blow moulds are shaped like reindeer, toy soldiers, Santa Claus, gingerbread men, and even Arctic locomotives.
Yes, they are. After being written off as tacky and outdated, blow moulds are now considered trendy and are enjoying a resurgence in holiday displays across Canada and the United States.
You can find blow moulds at vintage stores, buy-and-sell websites, and online marketplaces like Etsy and eBay.
