Santa's Gone Full-Size
Wed, 12/10/2025 - 3:52pm
admin
By:
Rachel Riley TPD Editor
CRESCO - If you’ve ever driven down 3rd Ave East in December and suddenly been greeted by a humongous Santa towering over a front yard full of inflatable holiday cheer, congratulations — you’ve found the Gosch house.
David and Daniell Gosch are well known around town for many reasons, but in recent years, one thing has truly set them apart: an ever-growing Christmas inflatable display anchored by what locals lovingly refer to as the Santa. For about five years now, their front yard has transformed each winter into a larger-than-life holiday spectacle that stops cars, sparks smiles, and occasionally causes jaws to drop.
Interestingly, Christmas wasn’t where it all began. Halloween holds a special place in the Goschs’ hearts, and when they first went big with spooky decorations, neighbors and passersby started asking the inevitable question: “Are you going to do Christmas too?” Already drawing attention with an upside-down Christmas tree hanging in their front window, the couple decided to go for it—and the Christmas collection began to grow.
Some of the most meaningful pieces in their early display were a smaller Santa and nutcracker gifted by Dave’s dad. Those inflatables eventually met the natural fate of most inflatables—deflation—but their sentimental importance still looms large. Like many of the Goschs’ decorations, the memories tied to them matter just as much as the display itself.
Putting together the festive front yard is a true team effort. Dave serves as the creative placement director, while Daniell supports whatever is needed. “He knows where he wants everything to go,” she said with a laugh. “And I let him do his thing.”
Of course, doing his thing isn’t always easy—especially when weather enters the picture. Wind, snow, and extreme cold all seem to conspire against the inflatables, particularly the biggest challenge of all: Santa. Sometimes it’s too windy, sometimes too snowy, and sometimes it’s simply too cold to keep everyone standing tall. Maintaining the display takes constant attention, but for the Gosch's, it’s worth every minute.
Why? Because the smiles say it all.
Despite having a love-hate relationship with the giant Santa, it remains their favorite decoration—and the heart of the entire setup. In fact, everything is built around Santa. Well… not that Santa.
The towering figure currently standing guard is actually HUGE Santa number 2. The first didn’t survive a series of mishaps, despite friends joining in a valiant rescue attempt. In the end, Santa had to be replaced.
As for the inflatable that makes them laugh the most each year? The campfire. If you haven’t noticed it before, the Gosch's recommend taking a closer look next time—you might just catch the joke.
“I got the want to decorate from my parents,” Dave said. “My mom used to go all out.” Daniell agreed, adding, “We both got it from our folks.”
When asked why they keep doing it year after year, Dave answered honestly: “Because we’re crazy.” Daniell didn’t miss a beat. “He’s right,” she said, “but we also love that people enjoy it so much.”
Dave recalls the first year they put up the huge Santa, “We looked like the Macy’s parade” because the ropes were too short to connect to the ground and everyone was just standing there holding ropes hoping not to float away. Daniell adds, “It’s been a learning experience”.
“Christmas is amazing because we get thank you’s, just the buzz we get”, states Dave. Daniell adds, “The kids are just enthralled by it all.”
The Goschs love to drive around and see others displays. Dave puts it bluntly, “I love when people decorate. The thing I hate to hear is when people say ‘you have competition’, there’s no competition, I love to see when other people decorate”.
One moment in particular makes it all worthwhile for Dave. He recalls overhearing a young girl visiting Santa at their house quietly say she didn’t want anything for Christmas—that she wanted her presents to go to a friend who needed them more. Moments like that, Dave says, make every dollar and every challenge worth it.
