Two-Story Santa Sneaks onto Glendale, MO Lawns

A two-story tall inflatable yard decoration of Santa Claus is mysteriously sprouting in the yards of Glendale residents in what appears to be a pay-it-forward prank.

The larger than life Santa Claus has been traveling from yard to yard since Dec. 1. No one knows where the decoration came from, but residents are gleefully following its instructions.

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The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

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According to printing on the decoration, those who discover the inflatable Santa Claus are to set it up in a neighbor’s yard within 24 hours. Whoever has the Santa on Dec. 23 is to keep it until the new year when someone will pick it up.

Kirkwood High School English teacher Katie Meyers was pranked Dec. 8 when the Santa Claus appeared in the front lawn of her home on Brookside Drive without warning. 

Katie and her husband, Bill Meyers, were sorting through mail when they glanced out their window and saw what Katie describes as a flurry of activity. They recognized some neighborhood friends who were setting up giant Santa Claus.

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When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

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"We asked them what was going on, and they said, 'Well, it's your problem now,' and then they quickly dashed away," Katie said. "It's a hilarious prank."

The following day, the Meyers passed on the Santa Claus to friends from church when they spotted them at a Sunday service. Katie, Bill and their 10-year-old daughter Maddie left church after their friends were seated to execute the prank.

"I thought it would be a good opportunity to take it over to their house," Katie said. "We had as much fun delivering it to the next family as we had finding it on our lawn."

After the Meyers pulled off the prank, Katie posted a message on Facebook to the family that said, "Tag, you're it."

On the Santa Claus is the name of a website where people can upload photos. However at Secret Santa 2012, you'll find no information about the origins of the decoration.

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The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a ginormous Santa, inflatable and weird.

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The only thing that is certain about the two-story Santa Claus is that it’s causing Glendale residents to scratch their heads, smile and pass on some holiday fun. 

The Santa Claus was last spotted Wednesday across from North Glendale Elementary School.

This isn't the first time that Glendale, MO has experienced a surprise visit from a large inflatable object. There was .

Editor's note: This article originally was published by Kirkwood Patch in Missouri without the stanzas from "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" which have been slightly altered and sprinkled with snow.