CINCINNNATI — You've probably noticed Halloween decorations getting bigger and more expensive each year.
If you thought that trend would stop at Christmas, think again.
Those $250-plus skeletons at Lowe's and Home Depot may have seemed pricey, but one home improvement chain has just raised the stakes in holiday yard wars with its new Rudolph and Friends collection.
- The animatronic Rudolph with his glowing red nose costs $228
- Yukon Cornelius will set you back $398
- Herbie the Dentist costs $258
- The collection wouldn't be complete without Bumble (also called the Abominable Snowman or Abominable Snowmonster) for $498.
The total for all four figures is around $1,300, depending on whether there are any markdowns at your store.
See Lowe's new animated Rudolph collection come to life:
Lowe's shoppers we spoke with outside the store had mixed reactions to the elaborate display.
Arlett Brown loved the figures but balked at the price.
"It's too much because we're already on a tight budget," Brown said.
Another shopper called the prices too excessive for her.
"Probably a little over the top. I'm a little more traditional. Go with the blinking lights and the garland," she said.
These animatronics are part of a growing trend toward lifelike holiday figures that were once only seen in museums and town squares.
But you can still shop for Christmas at Lowe's and spend much less.
For budget-conscious shoppers, Lowe's offers cheaper alternatives. A basic, non-animated Abominable Snowman costs $139, while another smaller option is available for $64.
And the store still sells 100-count light sets for as little as $4 and many other decorations for under $10.
"I cannot afford the $300 Christmas items," Brown said. "They are nice to look at, but they won't be in my home."
The bottom line: you don't need to spend a fortune on holiday decorations. A few lights and a wreath can still create festive cheer without breaking the bank.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Follow John:
- Facebook: John Matarese Money
- Instagram: @johnmataresemoney
- X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese
Follow Taylor:
- Facebook: Taylor Nimmo
- Instagram: @tnimms
- X/Twitter: @tnimms
For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com
