How Much Damage Was Done to the House in Christmas Vacation?

By Anna Duncan

Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has been loved by generations. One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, accidentally causes significant damage to his family’s home. But just how much damage was done?

The Sled Scene
The scene in question involves Clark waxing up a metal sled and sending it down a steep hill towards his house. Unfortunately, the sled picks up too much speed and crashes through his neighbor’s window before finally coming to a stop inside the Griswold’s living room.

Broken Items
The first thing that viewers may notice is the broken items littering the living room floor. The sled broke through the window and shattered various objects in its path, including lamps, vases, and picture frames.

The Window
The sled hit the neighbor’s window with such force that it completely shattered it. This would require a full replacement of the windowpane and frame.

The Wall
When Clark tries to remove the sled from his living room, he inadvertently knocks over furniture and causes damage to one of his walls. The drywall cracks and crumbles, leaving a sizable hole that would need to be patched up.

The Carpet
As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, Clark also accidentally cuts into his family’s new carpet with a chainsaw while trying to trim some branches off of their tree. This would require a costly replacement or repair job.

  • Total Cost of Damage

When you tally up all of these damages together (window replacement, wall repair, broken items, carpet replacement), it’s safe to say that Clark caused several thousand dollars worth of damage to his family’s home.

Conclusion

While it may be funny to watch on screen, causing this much damage to your home in real life would be no laughing matter. It’s important to always take proper precautions when engaging in any potentially dangerous activities, especially around your home.