You’ve probably seen them. Hanging out in your neighbors yard, or holding an absurd sign on the side of the highway. Some of them are dressed up in normal clothes, some posed in costumes,some not, or dressed only in a Hawai’ian shirt and sunglasses.
Yard skeletons have steadily become part of the American way of life recently, within the last five years. I remember seeing my first yard skeleton, in Elberfeld. During the pandemic. He was dressed in overalls and a straw hat, and held up a sign- “That wasn’t moonshine, it was HAND SANITIZER!”
It was totally ridiculous, and hilarious.
Then, I saw more. Some in Jasper, some in Evansville, just sitting on their benches or on plastic patio chairs (You know what I’m talking about). As the year went on, and the pandemic ended, I expected this funny bit to taper off, but to my surprise, they stayed out.
Now it’s 2024, and the trend of lawn skeletons has subconsciously become an American Tradition. Why? Why is this absurd and nonsensical decoration considered normal now?
In 2020, Home Depot released the giant skeleton. You’ve seen them, no doubt. A massive, 12-foot giant towering over someone’s driveway, or leaned up against their carport. They are huge, head turning, attention grabbing statements- “I own a giant skeleton. Gaze upon his glory, and weep, for you are not so affluent.” Something like that.
It only makes sense that if you drop 300 dollars on what amounts to a spooky christmas tree, you will want to make the most out of your investment. Unlike Christmas trees, however, it’s less of a hassle to justify a skeleton. Skeletons are timeless, they’ve always been around, and they’re not explicitly seasonal. So the giant skeletons stayed up longer.
This phenomenon was just what America needed to realize that skeletons are really cool, actually- Why shouldn’t I have a skeleton in my yard? It’s just taking space in the garage most of the year. And they’re human shaped (obviously), so they can make decent mannequins for dressing-up in funny and seasonal clothing.
And, hey, why not make it seasonal? Now, joining door hangings or window stickers, you can adorn your property with quirky displays of skeletons lounging on pumpkins, or standing next to your Grinch cutout with a comically loose santa beard and hat. Spread him out on a beach chair with shades, a hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and a glass of appropriate beverage.
Kids love ‘em, too- Look at that, the skeleton’s watering the flowers! That’s so silly. Skeletons don’t do that. Why is he doing that?
There’s always a bit of a melancholy undertone to the yard skeletons. Even if the majority of the time they are silly, funny, irreverent yard ornaments, skeletons serve as a memento mori regardless. I think that’s for the best. The culture surrounding death in the United States seems to be changing constantly. If yard skeletons become a major part of this change, not only do I think it’s hilarious, but also somewhat nice.
I think yard skeletons started as a funny bit, but have turned into a genuine American tradition thanks to their versatility as a decoration, ability to turn heads and make a statement, and the sheer absurdity of them.
Skeletons are pretty cool.
