Devotees of Home Depot's colossal Christmas decorations are caught in a frantic scramble to find them this year, amid growing fears of a significant shortage across the United States. The absence of the retailer's oversized Santas, reindeer, and sleighs has ignited a fervent online discussion and created a booming grey market where items are selling for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars above their original price.
The Cult Following and the Disappearing Decorations
For many American families, the annual release of Home Depot's giant yard decorations has become a highly anticipated event. These massive festive figures, which can stand over eight feet tall, have developed what can only be described as a cult following. However, this year, the usual August and September online launch never materialised, leaving fans bewildered and empty-handed.
The confusion and concern quickly spread online, most notably within a dedicated Home Depot Halloween and Christmas Facebook Group boasting over 165,800 members. Landon Richard, a 30-year-old from Louisiana, typifies the disappointed fan. After seeing leaked photos from a Home Depot showcase in Las Vegas back in March, he had set his heart on an 8½‑foot reindeer, a towering Santa, and a matching sleigh. Like many others, he was left waiting for a product drop that never came.
Tariffs and Theories Behind the Shortage
A prominent theory circulating among the decoration community points to the impact of international trade policy. Many of the largest decorations, such as the popular 12-foot 'Skelly' skeleton and Santa sets, are manufactured by a Chinese company named Seasonal Visions International. Earlier this year, this supplier cited tariffs as a reason for making policy changes, including suspending its customer support operations.
When contacted for comment, a Home Depot spokesperson declined to specify the reasons for the products' absence. However, Aubrey Horowitz, the company's U.S. holiday decor merchant, previously suggested that tariffs would not be the sole reason for altering their product assortment and strategy. "The number one focus from my perspective is, we have to offer the best value and the best quality products," Horowitz stated. The spokesperson also clarified that not all items previewed at internal manager meetings are guaranteed to be part of the final retail collection.
A Frenzied Grey Market Emerges
Regardless of the cause, the perceived shortage has triggered a panic among collectors, giving rise to a vigorous resale market. Prices for the giant decorations have skyrocketed, at times reaching seven times their original retail value. Determined fans have turned to social media to hunt down leads and broker deals.
Photographer Derek Weeks, 44, from Enterprise, Alabama, enlisted friends and scoured online platforms before finding a listing for a giant reindeer about five hours from his home. "I thought about it for a few minutes and realized it may be the only chance I had," he said. He secured it with a $300 deposit—a relative bargain compared to some online prices exceeding $1,000.
Others have been forced to compromise. Amy Reed, a 37-year-old photographer from Paintsville, Kentucky, regretted passing on an 8½-foot reindeer in March. After discovering it wouldn't be released and seeing resale prices near $700, she settled for a smaller substitute, paying around $200 after a four-hour round trip. "It's definitely not as grand as the giants," she lamented.
Home Depot has encouraged decorators to explore their new collections for this year, hinting that past favourites may return in future seasons. For now, the hunt for the giant festive figures continues, underscoring their unexpected status as must-have, and increasingly elusive, holiday trophies.
