The trend of decorating lawns with inflatables for the holidays has grown significantly over the years.

Outdoor decorations have grown over the years, not just in theme but in size. Outdoor Christmas decorations have shifted from more straightforward, hand-painted or classic decorations like blow-molds and icicle lights to LED-driven light shows, animated figures, and the extremely popular inflatables that grow in height with each passing year.

Inflatables are easy to set up and take down. They require little storage space and feature bright, large, whimsical designs with popular characters that create a visual impact in holiday light displays.

The recent history of inflatable decorations

In 2001, Gemmy Industries, a Texas-based company once known for creating “Big Mouth Billy Bass,” launched its first airblown inflatable: an 8-foot-tall Santa. Gemmy has been the leader in innovating seasonal and holiday products since 1984.

The designs have come a long way since then; they have improved and gotten bigger. Gemmy started licensing large amounts of brands, from Disney and Star Wars to Peanuts, "Elf," "The Grinch" and "National Lampoon's Vacation."

Just how big are the outdoor holiday offerings?

Here are some of the large inflatables you might catch while you are taking an evening drive to see the holiday lights in your area:

Keeping safety in mind when choosing an inflatable

Flying inflatable: Poorly secured inflatables can become projectiles in windy or severe weather, posing a risk of injury to people and property damage.

Overheating motors: Operating blowers continuously or for extended periods can cause the motors to overheat, which may lead to fires.

Obstructing views: Ensure that your large inflatable does not block the views of pedestrians or drivers from sidewalks or driveways.

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Gemmy

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See how large inflatable Christmas decorations are this year

Reporting by Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect