(This post was previously published on December 19, 2016.)
“We’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas!” (Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation).
Whenever I see Christmas lights, I think of one of my favourite movies, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
This holiday comedy is all about the high standards and expectations many of us have for ourselves, and perhaps for others, at this time of the year.
Clark Griswold, the central character, is in good company as Christmas approaches.
Social media sites are full of photos of exquisitely wrapped gifts under trees, homemade pies and cookies and other delightful sweets coming out of the oven, shopping and more shopping, decorating…
It is high season for frazzled nerves and complete breakdowns. How can one ever be as happy as Clark Griswold when there is so much to do?
The bar is set very high at Christmas
And it’s not just that there is so much to do. The fact is, it has to be done to perfection.
(wreath completed with Micron pens and Sharpie coloured pens and a touch of watercolour for bow).
My favourite part of the movie occurs as Clark works on the outdoor lighting determined that his house is going to be better than anyone else’s.
“Little knot here, you can work on that…” (as Clark hands over a huge mess of twisted, tangled Christmas lights to his less than enthused son).
“I dedicate this house to the Griswold family Christmas.” (as Clark prepares to test his lights with the whole extended family present).
And then we reach the point where Clark becomes disillusioned with Christmas and with the lack of enthusiasm his family has shown for the celebrations he has so anticipated.
“Where do you think you’re going? Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No. No. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here.” (when the lights do not work and the family is ready to abandon Clark and return to the warmth and their drinks in the house).
“Is your house of fire, Clark?”
“No Bethany, those are Christmas lights.” (the lights are finally turned on).
We are almost there my friends! And then, we can relax once more until next Christmas.
Find a few hours in your busy schedule to watch one of your favourite holiday classic movies.
Don’t forget to wrap those presents, turn off the lights, and find a quiet moment of relaxation before all hell breaks loose!
Cheers!
For me it’s the Santa Clause with Tim Allen. We used to watch it with the kids and my parents. Make a night of it. It was so great. Hot chocolate, home made sweets and 3 generations under the same roof. The magic came alive for all.
Oh yes, I remember that one…also a great movie to watch. But you are right, it is the memories of time spent with loved ones that makes the movie special. Merci Thérèse. Joyeux Noël!
Just love that movie, a must watch even if seen many many times before ????
Sally, I used to show it to the students who came to class on the last day of school before Christmas. For some odd reason, students stayed home on that last day and teachers only had maybe a handful of students so we would get to watch about an hour of the movie together. This year, it looks like I will be watching the movie with youngest son and his girlfriend tomorrow night. Have a merry Christmas Sally!
There are so many great Christmas movies! I’ll have to top 5 that we HAVE to watch each year.
1. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
2. The Polar Express
3. Home Alone (the first one)
4. The Grinch
5. Charlie Brown Cheistmas
I have never seen The Polar Express but I love the others. I own the first movie but not the others. I have a Charlie Brown Christmas (interactive) story book on my iPad. The gchildren love hearing the story and playing with the characters. If you don’t have it, it’s worth buying for the kids. Merry Christmas to you and your family.