Everyone enjoys a festive tipple at Christmas — a glass of wine or a cheeky Baileys.
But one man’s drunken mistake has made him the talk of the village as it manifested in the form of a giant Father Christmas.
Peter Routledge, of Upper Popple near York, spent more than £1,000 on a 26ft inflatable Father Christmas while in a drunken haze four years ago.
Every Christmas since it has made an appearance — and it has become a big hit with local residents.
Speaking to Yorkshire Live, Peter said: ‘Although it was a drunken purchase and my wife was not happy with me, it was something I thought was needed to get everyone to smile especially during Covid.
‘We did not think of doing anything with it until people started coming down to take pictures.’
It was at that point, Peter realised Father Christmas could actually earn his keep.
The Father Christmas now raises money for charities and Peter and his wife choose a different one each year.
Peter Routledge, of Upper Popple near York, spent more than £1,000 on a 26ft inflatable Father Christmas while in a drunken haze four years ago
This year the couple are raising money for York Inspirational Kids — a support group for families and children who have a disability.
Donations can be made by using a QR code or in the bucket.
Speaking to the BBC, one local said: ‘We live really locally so we’ve come to see him the last few years and the kids get really excited when we’re driving past.’
The Father Christmas now raises money for charities and Peter and his wife choose a different one each year
Peter got the idea to order the eight metre wide inflatable after watching the news about another man who bought one claiming a company had sent him the wrong size.
Not believing the story, Peter decided to order one for himself and got a surprise when a box from China was delivered to his house.
The inflatable took a little work to blow up as it came without instructions, Peter said.
Now, it stays up in most types of weather, and Peter has installed straps onto the wall to keep it tied down, but he does deflate it in strong gales.