Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has been entertaining audiences for decades. The film follows the Griswold family as they prepare for Christmas and all of the mishaps that come along with it.
One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Clark Griswold receives a gift from his boss. But what was the gift in Christmas Vacation? Let’s take a closer look.
Setting the Scene
Before we dive into the gift itself, let’s set the scene. Clark Griswold is an everyman who wants nothing more than to have a perfect Christmas with his family.
He goes to great lengths to decorate his home with thousands of lights, much to the chagrin of his neighbors. He also invites his entire extended family over for dinner, which proves to be chaotic.
In addition to all of this, Clark is anxiously awaiting a bonus from work that he has been counting on to pay for a new swimming pool for his family. His hopes are dashed when he receives a subscription to the “Jelly of the Month Club” instead.
The Gift
So what exactly is the Jelly of the Month Club? It’s exactly what it sounds like – a club that sends you a new flavor of jelly every month. While this might seem like an underwhelming gift, it’s important to remember that Clark was expecting a large bonus from work.
The gift becomes even more significant when we consider Clark’s reaction. At first, he tries to hide his disappointment and put on a brave face for his family. But when cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid) reveals that he emptied out his RV’s septic tank into Clark’s storm drain, things come to a head.
Clark goes on an epic rant about how much he does for his company and how little they appreciate him. He ends by saying that if he had gotten the bonus he was expecting, he would have used it to put in a pool and “swim in it every day until I get used to it.”
The Meaning of the Gift
So what is the meaning behind the Jelly of the Month Club gift? On one level, it’s a cruel joke played by Clark’s boss. But on another level, it represents something much deeper.
The gift symbolizes the disconnect between Clark’s expectations and reality. He had built up this bonus in his mind as the solution to all of his problems – but when he doesn’t receive it, he realizes that his dreams were unrealistic.
At the same time, the gift also highlights Clark’s dedication to his family. Despite everything that goes wrong during Christmas Vacation, he remains committed to making the holiday special for his loved ones. The gift may not be what he wanted, but it doesn’t diminish his love for his family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the gift in Christmas Vacation is more than just a punchline – it’s a commentary on our expectations and priorities during the holiday season. While we may all have grand visions of what Christmas should be like, sometimes reality falls short. But as long as we have our loved ones around us, we can still find joy in even the most unexpected gifts.