A festive father-to-be in Greater London has defiantly refused to take down his towering Christmas decorations after receiving a scathing anonymous letter from a disgruntled neighbour.
Accidental Order Leads to Festive Feud
Dave Goodings, a 31-year-old DJ and business owner from Chessington, never intended to become the centre of a neighbourhood dispute. The saga began last year when he accidentally ordered what he believed was a modest 4ft inflatable Santa from B&Q for £24.99. To his surprise, a colossal 20ft figure arrived instead. Embracing the error, he erected it and was delighted by the positive reaction from passers-by.
Encouraged by the festive cheer it spread, Dave decided to expand his display this year. On Sunday, he added a second 20ft inflatable – a snowman costing £179. The duo quickly became a local spectacle, with crowds gathering to take photographs of the giant festive figures.
The Anonymous 'Poison Pen' Complaint
The Christmas spirit was abruptly punctured on Monday, December 2, when an anonymous letter was pushed through his letterbox. The typed note, in an envelope with no name or address, launched a fierce attack on the display.
The writer, identifying only as "an unhappy neighbour", claimed the inflatables looked "cheap, tacky and completely out of place in our quiet street". They branded the display an "eyesore" that "ruin[ed] the character of the road" and made the area "look ridiculous". The letter concluded with a threat: if the decorations were not removed immediately, the matter would be reported to the council and the residents' association.
Defiant Response and Community Joy
Despite the harsh criticism, Dave remains unswayed. With his partner expecting their first baby early next year, he sees this as a special Christmas to celebrate extravagantly. "My heart sank a little bit at first," he admitted, "but when you re-read it, it's kind of funny."
He emphasised that the display brings significant joy to the community. "It has become a bit of a tradition now," Dave said. "We are becoming the new tourist attraction in town." He noted that people slow down their cars to look and some make detours just to see the giants, especially given their proximity to Chessington World of Adventures.
Addressing the anonymous nature of the complaint, Dave pointed out that the neighbour had not spoken to him directly. He stands by his festive stance, quipping, "I get that they’re big, but it’s Christmas, not a crime scene." For now, the 20ft Santa and his snowman companion will continue to loom large over Chessington, much to the delight of many – if not to one secret Scrooge.
