Bunnings under fire for its controversial and 'tacky' Christmas decoration

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration where families come together, enjoy the holidays, and remember all the things we have to be grateful for.

Decorations flood the market as soon as the calendar hits October. But with several modern Christmas decorations hitting the shelves, there’s one particular item that drew flak online.



This item is making headlines for its polarising nature rather than its festive cheer. We’re talking about Bunnings' Outlaw Santa ($119), an inflatable figure bearing an uncanny resemblance to Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.

At first glance, the figure looks like your typical Santa Claus. He's seated atop a chestnut pony while carrying a large sack of toys and wearing the usual Santa hat.



Screenshot 2023-10-27 at 10.16.44 AM.png
Bunnings received comments online for its controversial Outlaw Santa Christmas decoration. Credit: Bunnings



However, Santa's helmet is not the traditional one we’re used to seeing, but rather one modelled after the one made famous by Ned Kelly himself.

This naturally caused an uproar among the Aussies online who saw the item as 'tacky and insensitive'.

'It is a no from me, it is losing the goodness of Christmas,' one user commented.

'No, it is tacky and in poor taste. It is one thing to include him in our history and another to celebrate him in this way. I think it is insulting,' another wrote.

A commenter online also mentioned that Ned Kelly was a murderer, specifically a police killer, and he shouldn’t be celebrated.

This comment was in reference to Ned Kelly being convicted of murder in 1880 when he and his gang ambushed and killed three police officers at Stringybark Creek, Victoria.



However, other users online thought it was fine.

One person said, ‘I would call him Neddy, I like him.’

‘Ned is a big part of our culture, he has just as much right to be part of Christmas as the kebabs and octopus! I'd say it's a descendent of the constable (can't remember his name right this second) who has a beef with it,’ a woman pointed out.

'That is one of the most Australian things I've ever seen good on them,' another commented.

Some people responded that they prefer any Aussie or Outback theme over snow-topped mountains, which doesn’t represent Christmas in Australia.



Despite the controversy, Bunnings revealed that the Outlaw Santa will still remain on sale in-store and on their website.

According to Adrian Pearce, Bunnings General Manager of Merchandise, ‘The inflatable Santa is part of our promotional items for Christmas that includes a wide range of festive inflatable designs this year.’

This is not the first time Bunnings received backlash on social media. Recently, Bunnings received comments online that the big retailers are putting up holiday decorations for sale, such as huge nutcrackers, earlier every year. You can check this story here.

Key Takeaways

  • Bunnings Warehouse is facing criticism for its Outlaw Santa Christmas decoration, which resembles notorious Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.
  • Many customers have expressed their displeasure over the decoration, with comments ranging from it being 'tacky' to 'insulting' to the spirit of Christmas.
  • Conversely, other customers appreciate the uniquely Australian aspect of the decoration, commending the retailer for straying from traditional snow-themed decorations.
  • Despite the controversy, Bunnings has confirmed that the Christmas decoration will remain on sale and is only available in-store due to 'low stock' online.

What do you think of the Outlaw Santa? Would you consider getting one? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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People have too much time on their hands if they are going to find offence in everything. If you don't like it then don't buy it ... simple. These are the same whingers who complain about a lack of Aussie-themed Christmas decorations. How about embracing the spirit of Xmas by being kind and helpful to others instead of finding fault around every corner?
 
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Christmas is a time for joy and celebration where families come together, enjoy the holidays, and remember all the things we have to be grateful for.

Decorations flood the market as soon as the calendar hits October. But with several modern Christmas decorations hitting the shelves, there’s one particular item that drew flack online.



This item is making headlines for its polarising nature rather than its festive cheer. We’re talking about Bunnings' Outlaw Santa ($119), an inflatable figure bearing an uncanny resemblance to Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.

At first glance, the figure looks like your typical Santa Claus. He's seated atop a chestnut pony while carrying a large sack of toys and wearing the usual Santa hat.



View attachment 33212
Bunnings received comments online for its controversial Outlaw Santa Christmas decoration. Credit: Bunnings



However, Santa's helmet is not the traditional one we’re used to seeing, but rather one modelled after the one made famous by Ned Kelly himself.

This naturally caused an uproar among the Aussies online who saw the item as 'tacky and insensitive'.

'It is a no from me, it is losing the goodness of Christmas,' one user commented.

'No, it is tacky and in poor taste. It is one thing to include him in our history and another to celebrate him in this way. I think it is insulting,' another wrote.

A commenter online also mentioned that Ned Kelly was a murderer, specifically a police killer, and he shouldn’t be celebrated.

This comment was in reference to Ned Kelly being convicted of murder in 1880 when he and his gang ambushed and killed three police officers at Stringybark Creek, Victoria.



However, other users online thought it was fine.

One person said, ‘I would call him Neddy, I like him.’

‘Ned is a big part of our culture, he has just as much right to be part of Christmas as the kebabs and octopus! I'd say it's a descendent of the constable (can't remember his name right this second) who has a beef with it,’ a woman pointed out.

'That is one of the most Australian things I've ever seen good on them,' another commented.

Some people responded that they prefer any Aussie or Outback theme over snow-topped mountains, which doesn’t represent Christmas in Australia.



Despite the controversy, Bunnings revealed that the Outlaw Santa will still remain on sale in-store and on their website.

According to Adrian Pearce, Bunnings General Manager of Merchandise, ‘The inflatable Santa is part of our promotional items for Christmas that includes a wide range of festive inflatable designs this year.’

This is not the first time Bunnings received backlash on social media. Recently, Bunnings received comments online that the big retailers are putting up holiday decorations for sale, such as huge nutcrackers, earlier every year. You can check this story here.

Key Takeaways

  • Bunnings Warehouse is facing criticism for its Outlaw Santa Christmas decoration, which resembles notorious Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.
  • Many customers have expressed their displeasure over the decoration, with comments ranging from it being 'tacky' to 'insulting' to the spirit of Christmas.
  • Conversely, other customers appreciate the uniquely Australian aspect of the decoration, commending the retailer for straying from traditional snow-themed decorations.
  • Despite the controversy, Bunnings has confirmed that the Christmas decoration will remain on sale and is only available in-store due to 'low stock' online.

What do you think of the Outlaw Santa? Would you consider getting one? Let us know in the comments below!
At first, I wasn't sure what I was looking at, but I wasn't thinking Ned Kelly!
 
Why is it that the Christian celebrations always seem to be the ones made fun of?
I don't see fun being made of other religious traditions.
The Grinch character is mean spirited. I suppose Ned Kelly might be seen as the Australian Grinch character, but he was a criminal. This item probably made in China.
 
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celebrating a murderer is obscene. Father Christmas is a corruption of Saint Nickolas and I hardly think that replacing a saint with a murderer is something we want our children identifying with. There is enough trauma in our world. Glorifying criminals is a no, no.
👍I actually hate it it’s nasty.
 
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Why is it that the Christian celebrations always seem to be the ones made fun of?
I don't see fun being made of other religious traditions.
The Grinch character is mean spirited. I suppose Ned Kelly might be seen as the Australian Grinch character, but he was a criminal. This item probably made in China.
Isn’t everything these days🤔
 
Just my opinion but instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus and Santa (because you can do both ) this thing is kind of like celebrating what’s wrong with the world fighting, war and the crime going on with the kids everywhere. Overthinking it ? well maybe 🤔
Well said👍😈
 
Christmas is a time for joy and celebration where families come together, enjoy the holidays, and remember all the things we have to be grateful for.

Decorations flood the market as soon as the calendar hits October. But with several modern Christmas decorations hitting the shelves, there’s one particular item that drew flack online.



This item is making headlines for its polarising nature rather than its festive cheer. We’re talking about Bunnings' Outlaw Santa ($119), an inflatable figure bearing an uncanny resemblance to Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.

At first glance, the figure looks like your typical Santa Claus. He's seated atop a chestnut pony while carrying a large sack of toys and wearing the usual Santa hat.



View attachment 33212
Bunnings received comments online for its controversial Outlaw Santa Christmas decoration. Credit: Bunnings



However, Santa's helmet is not the traditional one we’re used to seeing, but rather one modelled after the one made famous by Ned Kelly himself.

This naturally caused an uproar among the Aussies online who saw the item as 'tacky and insensitive'.

'It is a no from me, it is losing the goodness of Christmas,' one user commented.

'No, it is tacky and in poor taste. It is one thing to include him in our history and another to celebrate him in this way. I think it is insulting,' another wrote.

A commenter online also mentioned that Ned Kelly was a murderer, specifically a police killer, and he shouldn’t be celebrated.

This comment was in reference to Ned Kelly being convicted of murder in 1880 when he and his gang ambushed and killed three police officers at Stringybark Creek, Victoria.



However, other users online thought it was fine.

One person said, ‘I would call him Neddy, I like him.’

‘Ned is a big part of our culture, he has just as much right to be part of Christmas as the kebabs and octopus! I'd say it's a descendent of the constable (can't remember his name right this second) who has a beef with it,’ a woman pointed out.

'That is one of the most Australian things I've ever seen good on them,' another commented.

Some people responded that they prefer any Aussie or Outback theme over snow-topped mountains, which doesn’t represent Christmas in Australia.



Despite the controversy, Bunnings revealed that the Outlaw Santa will still remain on sale in-store and on their website.

According to Adrian Pearce, Bunnings General Manager of Merchandise, ‘The inflatable Santa is part of our promotional items for Christmas that includes a wide range of festive inflatable designs this year.’

This is not the first time Bunnings received backlash on social media. Recently, Bunnings received comments online that the big retailers are putting up holiday decorations for sale, such as huge nutcrackers, earlier every year. You can check this story here.

Key Takeaways

  • Bunnings Warehouse is facing criticism for its Outlaw Santa Christmas decoration, which resembles notorious Australian bushranger Ned Kelly.
  • Many customers have expressed their displeasure over the decoration, with comments ranging from it being 'tacky' to 'insulting' to the spirit of Christmas.
  • Conversely, other customers appreciate the uniquely Australian aspect of the decoration, commending the retailer for straying from traditional snow-themed decorations.
  • Despite the controversy, Bunnings has confirmed that the Christmas decoration will remain on sale and is only available in-store due to 'low stock' online.

What do you think of the Outlaw Santa? Would you consider getting one? Let us know in the comments below!
As Ricky Gervais has said.

" you may it offensive!
But, I find it funny!
That's why I'm happier than you"

The world needs to lighten up.
 
Xmas isnot Xmas as we are used to but each to his or her own what they like or dislike and don’t try to put us all in the same basket 🧺. Hopeless
 
It's getting more and more away from what is supposed to be the true meaning of christmas.

Have you ever wondered what Santa has to do with the birth of Jesus or a Xmas tree .

If you actually look into the real Santa's past, then maybe Santa as Ned Kelly isn't far off
If you had researched the genealogy of Santa Claus you would find this myth has mostly been derived from Saint Nicholas, a revered Christian Saint and the most revered Saint in the Greek Orthodox religion, they have more Churches in his name than any other Saint. At the time of the Council of Nicaea (which was actually convened to resolve a religious matter unrelated to the books of the Bible) he was considered to be an organiser/supporter of the discussions that took place.

So you simply cannot discount his Christianity nor his place in the Christian Church. There are some wild and woolly fables that have built up about him but there are serious facts too such as he being the youngest Bishop of his time. Though his day of birth had not been recorded, it seems that been around 279 AD, his death date was noted as 6 of December, 343 AD and that is still celebrated as his Feast Day in a number of European countries.

As a counterpoint, Father Christmas, who I and many of my generation of Australians, were bought up to love and enjoy, was clearly pagan. This myth grew out of a European tradition where, on the Winter Solstice, an old man of the village would go out into the woods, cover himself with twigs, leaves, mosses etc, and return to the village carrying a sack of gifts which had been made in secret over the winter months to be given to the poor or infirm of the village population. That is why early depictions of Father Christmas might have shown him in a green or brown costume to reflect his earthy forest background.

The differences between Father Christmas and Santa Claus have become blurred over the years so that Santa Claus in now mostly secular and not representing any specific religion but a Gift-giver to all at Christmas time.
 
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If you had researched the genealogy of Santa Claus you would find this myth has mostly been derived from Saint Nicholas, a revered Christian Saint and the most revered Saint in the Greek Orthodox religion, they have more Churches in his name than any other Saint. At the time of the Council of Nicaea (which was actually convened to resolve a religious matter unrelated to the books of the Bible) he was considered to be an organiser/supporter of the discussions that took place.

So you simply cannot discount his Christianity nor his place in the Christian Church. There are some wild and woolly fables that have built up about him but there are serious facts too such as he being the youngest Bishop of his time. Though his day of birth had not been recorded, it seems that been around 279 AD, his death date was noted as 6 of December, 343 AD and that is still celebrated as his Feast Day in a number of European countries.

As a counterpoint, Father Christmas, who I and many of my generation of Australians, were bought up to love and enjoy, was clearly pagan. This myth grew out of a European tradition where, on the Winter Solstice, an old man of the village would go out into the woods, cover himself with twigs, leaves, mosses etc, and return to the village carrying a sack of gifts which had been made in secret over the winter months to be given to the poor or infirm of the village population. That is why early depictions of Father Christmas might have shown him in a green or brown costume to reflect his earthy forest background.

The differences between Father Christmas and Santa Claus have become blurred over the years so that Santa Claus in now mostly secular and not representing any specific religion but a Gift-giver to all at Christmas time.
😮wow I’m impressed😍
 
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