Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has been enjoyed by families for decades. One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when Clark Griswold receives a gift from his boss, Mr. Shirley, during the company Christmas party. The gift is a large package that Clark assumes to be a bonus check, but as he begins to unwrap it, he realizes that it’s not what he was expecting.
So, what is the gift supposed to be in Christmas Vacation? Let’s take a closer look.
The Box
The gift comes in a large box wrapped in shiny green paper with a big red bow on top. As soon as Clark sees it, he gets excited and assumes that it’s his bonus check. The anticipation builds as he starts to rip open the wrapping paper.
The Reveal
As Clark continues to tear away at the paper, we see glimpses of what’s inside but don’t get a clear view until the final layer is removed. Clark’s expression changes from excitement to confusion and disappointment as he pulls out a small envelope.
The Envelope
The envelope is small and unassuming compared to the size of the box. It’s plain white with no writing on it except for Clark’s name and address. He opens it up and pulls out a thin sheet of paper.
The Note
The note inside the envelope reads: “Dear Clark, Merry Christmas. The gift that keeps on giving throughout the entire year.” At this point, Clark looks confused and disappointed as he realizes that there’s no bonus check inside.
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What Is It?
So, if it’s not a bonus check or anything valuable, what could Mr. Shirley have possibly given Clark? Well, we never actually find out what’s in the envelope. Some fans speculate that it’s a membership to the Jelly of the Month Club, which would explain Mr. Shirley’s comment about it being the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.
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What Does It Mean?
The gift that Clark receives from Mr. Shirley is meant to be a commentary on corporate culture and the expectations that employees have of their bosses. Clark assumes that he’s going to get a bonus check for all of his hard work throughout the year, but instead, he gets a meaningless gift. This is meant to show how companies often value their employees only for what they can do for them, rather than as individuals.
The Lesson
The lesson that we can take away from this scene is that we shouldn’t put too much stock in material possessions or our job titles. Instead, we should focus on the people in our lives who truly matter and appreciate us for who we are.
In conclusion, the gift that Clark Griswold receives in Christmas Vacation is a symbol of corporate greed and employee disillusionment. While we never find out what’s in the envelope, it’s clear that it’s not what Clark was expecting and serves as a reminder to us all about what’s truly important during the holiday season.