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The Milam family turned its front lawn into a holiday-themed putt-putt course. Going all out on Christmas decorations has become a tradition for the Dallas family.

For the holiday season, the front lawn of the Milam family’s house in Dallas has transformed into a mini golf winter wonderland.

Visitors stop by from nearly sunrise to sunset to admire the Christmas decorations — and to borrow a club to play a round of putt-putt themed around Santa, candy canes, snowflakes and more.

“You can see not just the excitement and wonderment of kids, but also of adults,” said Mike Milam, a firefighter and father of two.

Decking out the front yard has become an annual tradition for the Milam family since the Covid pandemic. The family of four’s elaborate decorations capture a trend that many retailers, including Home Depot and Walmart, have sought to capitalize on in recent years: Some customers are going bigger on seasonal decor, even as they watch how much they spend on other discretionary items.

Consumers are prioritizing decorations and experiences over gifts this holiday season, according to an annual holiday spending survey by consulting firm Deloitte. The survey found that respondents expected to spend a little less on gifts this year – down about 3% year over year. But they planned to spend about 9% more on nongift purchases, with most of that jump coming from holiday decorations.

The Milam family turned its front lawn into a holiday-themed putt-putt course. Going all out on Christmas decorations has become a tradition for the Dallas family.

Courtesy: Mike Milam

Holiday decor is providing a boost for retailers, even those like Target, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree, which have noticed a pullback in other categories.

Target’s Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez said on an earnings call in late November that customers are “looking for ways to add a little bit of seasonal decor,” which drove higher sales of accessories including frames, candles and vases in the most recent quarter.

Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said on the company’s earnings call in early December that the retailer was pleased by customers’ response to “the discretionary side of Halloween.” He said shoppers’ reactions to that seasonal decor offered “some glimmers of hope” as the dollar store chain headed into the peak of the holiday season.

Decor may not save the holidays

Yet holiday decor sales may not look as as jolly as some companies wish.

For example, National Tree Company CEO Chris Butler said sales have been slower in the past two years. He said the New Jersey-based company, which sells online through retailers including Kohl’s, Amazon, Macy’s and Home Depot, expects sales to be flat year over year.

Maximizing decor

Though the Milam family created a holiday spectacle, it also wanted to find value along the way.

Instead of buying a lot of decor, the Milam family made most of it. The family spent about $1,000 on its front yard decorations to make the mini golf course, Mike Milam said. Most supplies came from Home Depot, where he bought lumber, paint and other tools. The family of four — Mike; his wife Katie; 12-year-old daughter Merrick; and 10-year-old son Nash — built the putt-putt holes together on nights and weekends starting in the fall.

This year, the family also bought an eight-foot real Christmas tree from Home Depot for $129 and a festive, plastic Christmas chicken for $20 on Amazon.

But most of the Milams’ decor is recycled from past years, Mike Milam said. In his neighborhood, he said most families have put up the same decorations and inflatables in the yard as last year.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Milam family’s holiday decorations are a testament to the joy and creativity that can come from decorating for the holidays. By making their own decorations and finding value in the process, the family has created a holiday spectacle that brings joy to those who visit.

FAQs

Q: How much did the Milam family spend on their holiday decorations?
A: The family spent about $1,000 on its front yard decorations to make the mini golf course.

Q: Where did the family buy most of its decorations?
A: Most supplies came from Home Depot, where Mike Milam bought lumber, paint and other tools.

Q: What is the most popular decoration this holiday season?
A: According to Deloitte’s survey, respondents planned to spend about 9% more on nongift purchases, with most of that jump coming from holiday decorations.

Q: How does the Milam family plan to celebrate the holidays this year?
A: The family will continue to decorate their front yard and host visitors who come to play the mini golf course.