Decorative lawn "porch geese" are in high demand across Canada, causing many retailers to run out of stock [1, 2, 3].
The surge in popularity represents a revival of a front-yard tradition from the 1970s. This trend allows homeowners to express creativity and connect with neighbors through seasonal decorating [1, 4].
In Regina, Saskatchewan, the demand has been particularly strong. Karen Van Duyvendyk, the owner of Dutch Growers Home and Garden, said the items have been popular throughout the current season.
"The geese have been flying out all season long. We’ve been selling hundreds and hundreds of them," Van Duyvendyk said [1].
Retailers have reported selling "hundreds and hundreds" of the decorative birds [1]. This high volume of sales has led to widespread inventory shortages as shoppers seek out the figures to decorate their entrances.
The trend is not limited to the prairies. Homeowners in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, have also adopted the practice, contributing to the national shortage [2, 3, 5].
While the items are simple lawn ornaments, the revival is rooted in a desire for community engagement. By dressing the geese in various outfits, residents create a visual dialogue with passersby, a practice that mirrors the nostalgic home aesthetics of several decades ago [1, 4].
“"The geese have been flying out all season long."”
The sudden demand for porch geese reflects a broader consumer trend toward 'nostalgia decorating,' where homeowners adopt vintage aesthetics to foster a sense of community and whimsy. This shift suggests that traditional, tactile forms of neighborhood expression are regaining traction over digital social interactions.
