National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the best holiday movie, and nothing will change my mind. I’ve seen The Polar Express and been forced to watch Home Alone. But nothing will compare to Christmas Vacation. 

   Christmas Vacation is 33 years old and stars Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold), Beverly D’Angelo (Ellen Griswold), and Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie). It debuted in 1989 and was ranked second behind Back to the Future Part II at the Box Office.

   National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is about Clark Griswold, his wife Ellen, and two children, Audrey and Russell, who live in a suburban part of Chicago, Illinois. As the holiday season approaches, Clark is determined to have a picture-perfect family Christmas. 

   With some expected and unexpected family members coming into town, Clark finds himself in a sticky situation trying to play host and peacemaker among the relatives. Throughout the family’s time together, chaotic incidents snowball, and hilarity ensues.

   From Clark forgetting the saw when looking for the perfect Christmas tree deep in the woods, a squirrel wreaking havoc throughout the house, and Clark having a temper tantrum because his boss gave him a jelly of the month subscription instead of a bonus, Christmas Vacation is filled with jolly filled belly laughs. 

   I remember being little and watching Christmas Vacation with my family, laughing at all the foolish antics the Griswolds endure throughout the movie.

   My favorite scene is when Cousin Eddie is outside in the snow, illegally dumping the sewage from his R.V. into the storm drain, dressed in a skimpy white robe, black dress shoes, and a trapper hat, with a cigar dangling from his lips and a beer in one hand. In the scene, he says one of the most memorable lines throughout the movie, “Merry Christmas! S***ter was full!”

   This line is easily one of the most iconic parts of the entire movie. To this day, my Mom and I quote it around the house at random points throughout the day. She even has a shirt that’s based on the quote.

   Christmas Vacation is quotably hysterical and accurately depicts how chaotic the holiday season can be. It is unlike a Hallmark movie where everything is cookie-cutter perfect, and everyone is happy. It’s an all-American Christmas classic expressing what family can be like.

   Based on personal experience, I have never experienced a Christmas where everything went according to plan. Did my Uncle kidnap my Dad’s boss and bring him to my house with a big bow on his head, which caused the police and S.W.A.T. team to show up? No, but we’ve had hiccups that have caused screaming matches.

   National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of those movies where once you see it, you won’t forget. It’s always had a special place in my heart and will forever be my go-to Christmas movie.