What Is the Gift for Mr Shirley in Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

During the holiday season, one of the most popular movies to watch is “Christmas Vacation” – a classic comedy that never gets old. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Clark Griswold receives a gift from his boss, Mr. Shirley. In this article, we’ll dive into what that gift was and what it represented.

Firstly, let’s set the scene. Clark Griswold works for a food preservative company and has been eagerly awaiting his Christmas bonus so he can finally install a pool in his backyard for his family to enjoy. However, when he receives his bonus envelope from Mr. Shirley, he discovers that it contains a free year’s subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club.

This may seem like an underwhelming gift at first glance, but it’s important to understand the significance behind it. The Jelly of the Month Club is a fictional subscription service that sends members a new flavor of jelly each month for an entire year. It’s not exactly what Clark was hoping for, but it does represent something much greater – appreciation and recognition for his hard work throughout the year.

Mr. Shirley even says in his card accompanying the gift that “It’s the gift that keeps on giving throughout the entire year.” This statement can be interpreted in two ways: firstly, it emphasizes that this is not just a one-time gift but rather a continuous reminder of Clark’s dedication to his job. Secondly, it can be seen as a nod to the famous line from another holiday movie classic “It’s A Wonderful Life”, where George Bailey says “Remember no man is a failure who has friends”.

The subtext here is that Clark has formed relationships with those at work who appreciate him and see him as valuable team member – something much more important than any material reward.

So while Clark may have been disappointed at first with his gift from Mr. Shirley, by the end of the movie we see that he has truly come to appreciate it. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best gifts are the ones that aren’t necessarily flashy or expensive, but rather the ones that come from a place of genuine gratitude and recognition.

In conclusion, the gift of the Jelly of the Month Club may not have been what Clark Griswold was expecting, but it ultimately represented something much more valuable – appreciation and recognition for his hard work. As we enter into this holiday season, let’s remember that sometimes the best gifts are not necessarily material objects, but rather gestures of kindness and gratitude towards those we care about.