What Is the Aunt’s Name in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie, Christmas Vacation, you may have found yourself wondering, “What is the aunt’s name in Christmas Vacation?” Her character is certainly memorable and provides some comedic relief throughout the film. So, let’s dive into her name and a bit more about the character.

First off, let’s establish who we’re talking about. The aunt in question is the wife of Uncle Lewis (played by William Hickey), and she’s often referred to as “Aunt Bethany” throughout the movie. But is that her actual name?

Well, it’s never explicitly stated what her real name is in the film. However, there are a few hints that can help us piece together some information about her.

For starters, when Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) and his family arrive at their relatives’ house for Christmas, Aunt Bethany greets them with a gift and says, “I wrapped it up in my sweater.” Later on in the film, when Aunt Bethany is asked to say grace before dinner, she recites The Pledge of Allegiance instead.

These two moments may seem unrelated at first glance, but they actually provide some clues about Aunt Bethany’s character. The fact that she wrapped a gift in her sweater suggests that she may be forgetful or absent-minded. And her mistaken recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance could be seen as evidence that she’s getting on in years and perhaps suffering from memory loss.

So while we don’t know Aunt Bethany’s real name for sure, we can infer some things about her personality based on her actions in the movie.

Now that we’ve cleared up that mystery (sort of), let’s take a closer look at some of Aunt Bethany’s most memorable moments from Christmas Vacation. One scene that comes to mind is when she brings out her cat wrapped up as a present. It’s a hilarious moment, especially when the cat starts hissing and attacking Uncle Lewis.

Another memorable moment is when Aunt Bethany sings the National Anthem at the end of dinner. Her slightly off-key rendition, along with Uncle Lewis’ booming voice, makes for a truly unforgettable performance.

Overall, Aunt Bethany may not have a confirmed name in Christmas Vacation, but she certainly leaves a lasting impression on viewers with her quirky behavior and comedic timing. So next time you watch the movie, pay extra attention to this memorable character and all of her hilarious moments.