If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie, Christmas Vacation, you may be wondering what year the film is set in. While it’s never explicitly stated in the movie, there are a few clues that can help us narrow it down.
First, let’s take a look at some of the props and set design in the movie. The family’s cars are all from the late 70s or early 80s, and Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) uses a computer that looks like it’s from the mid-80s. Additionally, there’s a poster for National Lampoon’s Vacation on Rusty’s bedroom wall that has a copyright date of 1983.
Based on these clues, we can assume that Christmas Vacation is set in the mid-to-late 80s. But there are a few other factors to consider as well.
One scene that provides some additional context is when Clark goes to buy gifts for his family at a department store. In the background, we can see TVs playing old Christmas specials like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. These specials were both produced in the 60s and 70s, which suggests that Christmas Vacation is set sometime after those decades.
Another clue comes from Randy Quaid’s character, Cousin Eddie. He mentions being laid off from his job at an aerospace company due to “cutbacks.” This could be a reference to the wave of layoffs that hit many American aerospace companies in the late 80s.
Finally, we can look at some of the cultural references made in the movie. For example, Ellen Griswold (played by Beverly D’Angelo) mentions reading People magazine and seeing an article about how to make “a million dollars selling shower curtain rings.” This is likely a reference to a real-life article that was published in People magazine in 1983.
So, all of these clues combined suggest that Christmas Vacation is set in the mid-to-late 80s, most likely around 1989 or so.
Overall, while the exact year is never stated in the movie, there are enough clues to make an educated guess. And regardless of when it’s set, Christmas Vacation remains a holiday classic that continues to delight audiences year after year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it’s never explicitly stated what year Christmas Vacation is set in, there are enough clues to suggest that it takes place in the mid-to-late 80s. From the cars and technology used by the characters to the cultural references made throughout the movie, all signs point to a time period around 1989. But regardless of when it’s set, Christmas Vacation remains a beloved holiday classic that has stood the test of time.