A festive father-to-be in south-west London has found himself at the centre of a Christmas controversy after an anonymous neighbour branded his giant inflatable decorations "cheap and tacky" in a scathing poison pen letter.
The Accidental Festive Display
Dave Goodings, 31, from Chessington, inadvertently ordered a 20ft inflatable Santa from B&Q last year for £24.99, mistakenly believing it was only 4ft tall. Embracing the festive spirit, he decided to install the colossal Father Christmas outside his home regardless.
The display proved so popular, with crowds stopping to take selfies, that Dave decided to expand it this year. He added a 20ft snowman, costing £179, to create an imposing inflatable family on his property.
A 'Bah Humbug' Letter Arrives
The holiday cheer was shattered when an anonymous local critic posted a letter through Dave's door on Monday. The missive, delivered without a knock and in an unmarked envelope, launched a formal complaint against the festive giants.
The writer stated they were "absolutely horrified" by the decorations, describing them as "cheap, tacky and completely out of place." The letter argued the inflatables were an "eyesore" that "ruin the character of the road" and make the area look "ridiculous rather than the nice tidy street it usually is."
The disgruntled neighbour threatened to report the display to both the council and the residents' association.
Defiance and Festive Spirit
Dave, who runs a DJ business, has chosen to stand his ground. With his partner expecting their first baby early next year, he saw this Christmas as an opportunity to celebrate extravagantly.
"We are expecting our first baby early next year, so this really felt like the Christmas where we could go completely over the top, and why not," he said. "It has become a bit of a tradition now. And let's be honest, it would not feel like Christmas on our street without a giant inflatable. We have somehow become known for it."
While initially upset, Dave now sees the humour in the situation. "I get that they're big, but it's Christmas, not a crime scene. If I'm being honest, the letter has only made the whole thing even funnier," he remarked.
He noted that his home, close to Chessington World of Adventures, is "becoming the new tourist attraction in town", with people slowing down for photos and making detours to see the display.
Metro has contacted Kingston upon Thames Council for comment regarding the festive neighbourhood dispute.
