Houston inflatables display ‘lifts’ spirits of family and neighbors

This time year, of course there are brilliant displays of colorful lights, maybe some animatronics or light shows projected against the side of a home or business.

In Houston, not far off the Parks Highway, one family has taken a slightly different approach to spreading holiday cheer-a yard filled with giant, colorful inflatables. The colorful inflatable display just won 2nd place in the Matanuska Electric Association’s annual Holiday Lights Contest.

Houston resident Lisa Johansen says that the inspiration for using inflatables was found within her own home.

“When our oldest was 2, we found out he was deaf. I had always loved to decorate but when we learned this about our son, I decided if he couldn’t hear the sounds of the holidays, he was definitely going to experience the visual side of everything,” Johansen.

She and her husband began decorating with the inflatables when they were stationed in 29 Palms, California and as they moved across the country in support of his naval service as a Hospital Corpsman, she kept adding to the collection.

“In 1998, we moved to Groton CT, had our 3rd child, and I just kept adding to the display. Living in military housing, there were always a ton of kids, so we were always getting great feedback about our display and we enjoyed giving the neighborhood something to enjoy during the holiday season.”

She says that when they moved to Washington, they continued to build their display, much to the enjoyment of fellow service members and their families, so much so, that they were able to call upon their older children to help with the organization and input, making it a really family affair.

It’s not hard to find a favorite holiday character within the display-Santa and Mrs. Claus, Olaf, penguins, an adorable polar bear decked out in a snowflake sweater, and of course, what Alaskan holiday decorations would be complete without a few moose, to name a few.

“We add different things every year, and I always challenge the folks we chat with to see if they can find what’s new in the display. My husband and I each have favorites that we insist on putting out each year,” says Johansen.

After the military, they made their home in Houston and have been continuing on with the tradition, even if it comes with extra costs to light up the neighborhood.

“We’ve been here in Houston and decorating this home since 2008. There is a bit of an extra cost with the inflatables, and they are a lot of work in the snow, but we love the different characters available to put out and they are a big hit with kids and adults,” she says, adding that there aren’t any immediate plans to stop their displays.

“People stop by our house year round to let us know they look forward to the display. Knowing we help brighten someone’s day (no pun intended!) is worth any extra cost.”