We’re just over two weeks away from the jolly old man making his big entrance into our house (and if you read John’s article last week, you know I’m not talking about him.) The guy on my mind is the one and only Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, played by Chevy Chase. I’ve loved this movie for years, but now that I’m married with two young kids, I find myself relating to Clark more and more each holiday season.
So what do I have in common with Clark? Well, he’s a man on a mission and that mission is Christmas lights. His frustration comes from the effort he puts in, the picture he has in his head, and then the not-so-perfect reality that follows. At least until his wife casually flips the right switch and suddenly the entire house is glowing like a beacon. It reminds me of how we all picture the holidays going: we pour energy into creating something magical, and when things inevitably get messy, we bottle up the frustration instead of asking for help. A good reminder that people might be carrying more than we realize this time of year, and sometimes a small gesture from someone else makes all the difference.
The supporting characters in the movie also get me every time. They’re completely over the top, especially Cousin Eddie, but let’s be honest… most of us have a Cousin Eddie in our own families. And if you can’t think of one, well — there’s a chance you might be the Cousin Eddie. Mine is my brother, Uncle Nate. Whenever he walks through the door, our girls sprint toward him for what we now call the “run hug,” which usually knocks him straight backward. If I could just convince him to drink eggnog out of a moose cup, the transformation would be complete.
Of course, the holidays aren’t all laughter. Things change, plans go sideways, and expectations slip through the cracks. One of my favorite examples is the opening scene of the movie: the Griswolds finally find their perfect tree, everyone turns to Clark… and he’s forgotten the saw. I’ve been there – juggling so much that the simplest task evaporates from your mind. And just like in the movie, you eventually find a way to make it work anyway. That scene always reminds me of the “OG Covid year,” when I somehow ended up quarantined in the guest room on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was our first holiday in a new house, and our daughter was only one and a half. We ended up delaying Christmas morning entirely. She didn’t know the difference, and we just… rolled with it.
What’s your favorite holiday movie? And do you relate to Clark as much as I do? Whatever you celebrate, I hope it brings you laughter, flexibility, and a few good stories to look back on.
See you in 2026.
Until next time…
