All of these work the same way. A small electric fan inflates the fabric and keeps it under gentle pressure while the power is on, and built-in LEDs light the figure from the inside, so it glows rather than needing a spotlight. Turn the power off and it settles back into a flat shape on the lawn, which is why most people run them on a timer in the evening rather than all day.

Size is the decision that matters. A 1.5m to 1.8m figure suits a townhouse front garden, a courtyard or a porch, and it still reads clearly from the footpath. The 2.4m to 3m range is the sweet spot for a standard suburban front yard, where the figure has to compete with a driveway and a parked car. A 3.5m climbing Santa is a statement piece for a double-storey facade, and it needs the height of the house behind it to look right rather than oversized.

Archways are the one shape people underestimate. At 2.8m to 3m they span a front path or a driveway entrance, so guests walk under the display rather than past it, and they photograph far better than a single figure. Giant 60cm baubles work in groups of three or more along a garden bed or a fence line, and they give you a display for well under the price of one large figure.

Anchoring is where displays fail. On grass, use the supplied ground stakes at every tether point and add guy ropes on anything over 2m, angling the stakes away from the figure. On concrete, pavers or decking, stakes are useless: tie the tethers to sandbags, weight plates or a fixed rail, and keep the fan unit clear of any spot where water pools. Melbourne gets summer storms through December, so deflate and pack the figure away when a severe weather warning is issued, rather than trusting the pegs.

A few habits make them last. Choose a spot clear of rose bushes, brick edges and anything else that can rub a hole in the fabric. Run the power through an outdoor-rated extension lead and a timer, so the fan is not running unattended overnight. Before packing up at the end of the season, run the fan until the fabric is completely dry, then fold it loosely into a tub rather than compressing it into the original box, because damp fabric packed tight is what causes mould and staining.

Inflatables cover the big pieces. For the lighting that ties a display together, see our Christmas decor range, and for indoors, our Christmas trees. Browse everything in the full Christmas range.

Every inflatable in this range ships Australia-wide with fast dispatch and is available for 1-hour Click and Collect from Mitcham. All orders are covered by our 30-day returns policy.