Sure, cast-iron sculptures and fountains are beautiful yard accoutrements. But they lack affordability, portability, and a sense of humor. Is it any wonder, then, that sightings of plastic lawn flamingos are on the rise — even in tony Newton?

Brooks Morris, owner of Buckaroo’s Mercantile, says a piece or two of kitsch can help renters make their mark on an otherwise nondescript environment. "As day-to-day life seems more and more stressful," he adds, "it’s rather nice to come home to something that makes you smile."

At Buckaroo’s, you can buy a pair of plastic pink flamingos ($12) to get started. Then, if necessary, flesh out your flock with a pair of miniature lawn flamingos ($3.95) and pinwheel flamingos ($5.95/small; $7.95/large) from the Oriental Trading Company. If you’re home only after dark, opt for the Oriental Trading Company’s set of 10 light-up plastic flamingos ($14.95). Prefer your kitsch straight up, not on the rocks? The Oriental Trading Company’s dress-up lawn flamingo ($24.95) comes with nine articles of seasonal clothing, allowing you to dress it as a hula girl, Santa, the Easter Bunny, and (sadistically) a Thanksgiving turkey.

Even if you lack a yard, flamingos can still light up your life. At Joie de Vivre, you’ll find the traditional pink flamingo with a twist: a flamingo lamp ($40). Meanwhile, Buckaroo’s Mercantile has flamingo and palm-tree string lights ($14/set) and flamingo light-switch plates ($6/single switch; $8/double switch; $8/outlet plate; $10/triple switch).

Of course, flamingos aren’t for everyone. After seeing the French movie Amˇlie, I found myself yearning for a garden gnome. My quest led me to the Mill Store, which offers yard kitsch galore, including resin garden gnomes ($5–$28) in a variety of poses: holding rakes, sitting on toadstools, smoking pipes, and the like. However, there are plenty of other options. Newbury Comics has the pink flamingo’s polar opposite: a plastic yard penguin ($9.99). Target has assorted gazing balls ($19.99). And Ricky’s Flower Market has a donkey-and-cart planter ($136).

Where to find it:

• Buckaroo’s Mercantile, 1297 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, (617) 492-4792; www.buckmerc.com.

• Joie de Vivre, 1792 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 864-8188.

• Mill Store, 56 Broadway Street, Malden, (781) 321-1600.

• Newbury Comics, various locations; www.newburycomics.com.

• Oriental Trading Company, (800) 526-9300; www.orientaltradingcompany.com.

• Ricky’s Flower Market, 9 Union Square, Somerville, (617) 628-7569; www.rickysflowermarket.com.

• Target, various locations; www.target.com.