How do you change the bulb in blow mold decorations?

There are two types of light bulbs that are used in blow mold decorations. The first is a C7 bulb that's commonly used for night lights. If your blow mold uses this, you'll find it on a single light cord with a clip. Take out the burnt bulb and replace it with a new one. Blow molds also can use regular incandescent bulbs, which can be changed out just like a regular light bulb. Consider replacing the bulb with an LED for a long-lasting solution.

How do you fix holes in blow mold decorations?

The great thing about blow mold decorations is that they are long-lasting and stand up to weather nicely. If you do discover a hole or crack in your blow mold, you'll find that it's a quick and easy project for anyone to handle. Find a strip of plastic and place it inside the hole. Attach it with an epoxy adhesive from the inside and allow it to dry. Any excess glue can be scraped away.

The 10 Best Blow Mold Christmas Decorations of 2022

Because they're built to last and are often functional to this day, many blow molds have become quite collectible. They offer a vintage and retro aesthetic that has resurfaced in recent years, causing an uptick in reproduction.

We spent hours researching the best blow mold decorations available, considering factors like size, material, and power types, and LED illumination. Our favorites include an adorable snowman from Alpine Corporation, Santa striking a pose from General Foam Plastics, and Santa's reliable reindeer from Holiday Accents.

To add a bit of flair to your decor, here are the best blow mold outdoor holiday decorations you can find online.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

4.2

Alpine Corporation

View On Amazon View On Unitedslickmart.com

What We Like

No assembly required
Long-lasting
Detailed character design

What We Don't Like

A bit short

Four warm white LED lights make this snowman super bright. Thankfully, he doesn't require assembly—just pop in two AA batteries and he's good to go. No more worrying about finding long extension chords and outlets that reach to the perfect spot for this piece. You can set the lights on the included 6-hour or 18-hour time to save energy when not in use.

Use this adorable snowman indoors or outdoors to add holiday cheer to any part of your house. The robust frame is built to last, so you can guarantee to see this cheery decoration year after year. Happy customers love the detail on the small, but mighty statue. The snowflakes have a shining light in their center to bring attention to the festive features and add even more light and magic to your holiday season.

Price at time of publish: $125

_{Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 25 inches | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: 2 AA batteries | Indoor and outdoor use}

General Foam Plastics Santa blow mold. Amazon.com

View On Amazon

What We Like

Fun pose
Vintage feel
Lasts for years

What We Don't Like

Some found flaws in the painting

If this isn't a replica of one of General Foam's vintage blow mold Santa decorations, it sure looks like one. Santa Claus is posed while waving and goes pretty much anywhere—just not behind a giant inflatable Christmas decoration.

Price at time of publish: $249

_{Dimensions: 25 x 40 x 19 inches | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

Holiday Living

View On Lowe's

What We Like

Fun phrase
Festive colors
Great for entryways
Affordable

What We Don't Like

May be too tall for some spaces

Transform your house in Santa's workshop with this blow mold sign from Holiday Living. The red and white striped sign reads "welcome to the North Pole." It's the perfect addition to a front porch or entryway to transport guests to a winter wonderland. It also collapses for easy storage.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 42 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

Mr. Christmas

View On Maisonette.com

What We Like

Lights up
No chords required
Can line a pathway or driveway

What We Don't Like

A bit pricey to buy multiples

Bring back the glowing visuals you remember seeing decades ago with these blow mold candles. You can even buy multiple and line them along your front pathway or stairway. Each candle stands at 42 inches tall and features festive red and white candy cane stripes.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Dimensions: 24 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Battery | Indoor and outdoor use}

Holiday Accents

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What We Like

Hand-painted
Realistic features
Durable plastic

What We Don't Like

Lights could be brighter

Bring one of Santa's reindeer to your own front yard with this reindeer blow mold from Holiday Accents. The durable plastic can outlast rain and snow, while the LED lights shine through the night, perfect for guiding Santa's sleigh. The yard sculpture is hand-painted with realistic and festive details.

Price at time of publish: $228

_{Dimensions: 52.75 x 15 x 48 inches | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

Gemmy

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What We Like

Recognizable character
Festive costume and wreath
Bright lights

What We Don't Like

A bit small

The Grinch is ready to celebrate (and not ruin Christmas this year) with a Santa Clause costume and a festive wreath. This adorable blow mold features Dr. Suess' classic Christmas character with his signature smile that is sure to delight neighbors and guests alike.

Price at time of publish: $72

_{Dimensions: 24 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

National Tree Company

View On Walmart

What We Like

Good size
Over 20 lights
Nostalgic design

What We Don't Like

Pricey for a basic blow mold

This year, get a Christmas tree for your living room and your front lawn with this gorgeous blow mold from National Tree Company. The 3-foot Christmas tree is decorated with 21 multicolor bulbs with a bright star shining on top.

Price at time of publish: $178

_{Dimensions: 36 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Not Listed | Indoor and outdoor use}

Ace Hardware

View On Amazon View On Ace Hardware

What We Like

Can be used indoors or outdoors
Durable
Classic look

What We Don't Like

Expensive for one decoration

Coming from a brand known for making durable blow molds, this Santa includes a cord and lights for quick setup time and a bright display. He stands at 43 inches tall, and his resin material allows him to be used inside the house or for outside display.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 43 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

Union Products

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What We Like

Affordable
Classic design
Tall

What We Don't Like

Not very bright

Sweeten up your front yard with a delectable candy cane blow mold from Union Products. The sweet treat stands tall at 40 inches, making it perfect for next to stairs or a doorway. Buy a pair for around your entryway to make guests feel like they're entering a wintery candy land whenever they come over.

Price at time of publish: $54

_{Dimensions: 40 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

Holiday Living

View On Lowe's

What We Like

Adorable character
Unique colors
Suitable for all winter long

What We Don't Like

Not specifically Christmas-themed

Say hi to this adorable penguin blow mold that waves at guests when they arrive. The lovable penguin comes adorned with a blue and white scarf and Santa hat with a bough of holly sticking out. He matches perfectly with other winter decor in December and beyond.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Dimensions: 24 inches tall | Includes lights: Yes | Power source: Plug-in | Indoor and outdoor use}

Size

Blow molds really vary in size, from about 2 feet and up. You'll see smaller ones that are meant to be used indoors and larger ones that can be used in or out. If you're decorating with outside blow molds, you'll want to make sure it fits within the dimensions of your yard and can be seen from a distance.

Material

Before there were Christmas inflatable holiday decorations, there were wonders of plastic known as blow molds. The technique of creating hollow objects out of plastic became popular in the 1930s. These pieces are put together to form the blow mold decorations that we've all come to love.

Plastic is the most popular material for these molds, but you'll also find additional materials like resin or polyester. Most brands will list whether or not your blow mold can be left outside in various weather conditions, but note that hand-painted blow molds will often need to be placed on a covered area or porch.

Lights

More modern Christmas blow molds will feature LED lighting, but few older vintage ones won't. When a blow mold does include lights, you'll see that some require a simple plug-in (which is usually included) or will run on batteries.

FAQ

How do you change the bulb in blow mold decorations?

There are two types of light bulbs that are used in blow mold decorations. The first is a C7 bulb that's commonly used for night lights. If your blow mold uses this, you'll find it on a single light cord with a clip. Take out the burnt bulb and replace it with a new one. Blow molds also can use regular incandescent bulbs, which can be changed out just like a regular light bulb. Consider replacing the bulb with an LED for a long-lasting solution.
How do you fix holes in blow mold decorations?

The great thing about blow mold decorations is that they are long-lasting and stand up to weather nicely. If you do discover a hole or crack in your blow mold, you'll find that it's a quick and easy project for anyone to handle. Find a strip of plastic and place it inside the hole. Attach it with an epoxy adhesive from the inside and allow it to dry. Any excess glue can be scraped away.

This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more. Additional research for this article comes from Stacy Fisher, a writer specializing in crafting, DIYs, and other home topics.