Hosting a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation party is so much fun, and it’s actually easier than you may think! Below are great ideas for Christmas vacation food, decorations, and costumes to celebrate this classic Chevy Chase movie with friends!
Our favorite movie to watch at Christmas time is National Lampoon’s! There are so many hilarious scenes, and it’s a classic everyone knows! So throwing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie party is sure to get you on the nice list this year!
So get ready to channel your inner Clark Griswold and throw a fun party with your friends and family.
We have to thank Elle H. and her wonderful family and friends for allowing us to show their amazing Christmas Vacation party!! All of the photos below are from her party, and if you’d like to labels for your own party – she’s offered to send them to you! You can email her at: ellehorn@yahoo.com
Hosting a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Party
In this guide, you’ll find all kinds of fun ideas and great food to ensure your your party is a hit!
Griswold Christmas Decorations
Start by transforming your space into a winter wonderland reminiscent of the Griswold family’s classic Christmas celebrations.
Elle did this even in her front yard and at her door! We love the idea of welcoming guests in with decor! We found a blow up Cousin Eddie or the classic car with the Christmas tree on top on Amazon!
These decorations don’t have to cost a fortune either. We love thrift stores and the Dollar Store (or Dollar Tree) for budget-friendly decorations like Christmas lights, department store mannequins, and old-fashioned family Christmas ornaments.
Many of your Christmas decorations will also tie into the theme — like Christmas lights and a real Christmas tree! You can always add in fun extras like these moose mugs, a lit-up faux “fried cat” centerpiece, and a Clark Griswold cutout standup!
Shop Christmas Vacation Decorations on Amazon
Christmas Vacation Costumes
Encourage guests to come dressed as their favorite characters, from the iconic Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie to Aunt Bethany and Uncle Lewis.
Whether you opt for an “old-fashioned family Christmas” look or a “Griswold style” costume, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Thrift stores and hobby lobby are treasure troves for finding costume pieces.
Mrs. Shirley, the SWAT agent, The Squirrel, Helen Griswold, and Aunt Bethany’s Cat
We also found some ready-to-go costumes on Amazon:
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Snacks
Fans of the movie know all about the Yule Log and Jelly of the Month Club Treats!
No Christmas Vacation party is complete without delicious treats inspired by the movie. Serve up Aunt Bethany’s Jello Mold, egg nog, and Snots Ol’ Roy Puppy Chow.
We love this festive spread of Christmas tree rice kripsies, Uncle Lewis’ stogeys, and Rocky’s kisses!
And no Christmas vacation is complete without a little Tylenol – white M&Ms.
For a quirky touch, set up a “Jelly of the Month Club” table with a variety of jellies for guests to enjoy. And don’t forget the egg nog served in moose mugs for that authentic Griswold touch.
Activities
Keep the party alive with a playlist featuring classic Christmas songs and tunes from the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie.
Encourage guests to quote their favorite lines, relive the movie’s best moments with charades, or try some National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Trivia to capture the spirit of a Griswold-style celebration. You could also always watch the movie together, too!
Cookies were made by Cookie Angel Bakery
Party Favors
Send your guests home with a little piece of the Griswold magic. Provide party favors like miniature Christmas lights, green Jell-O cups, and small decorations reminiscent of the film.
You can also include a small bag of Chex Mix or a Clark Bar for an extra festive touch.
Hosting a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation themed party is a surefire way to have a lot of fun during the holiday season.
You won’t regret going the extra mile with your decorations, costumes, and food table to create an unforgettable experience for your guests.
Whether it’s your first time hosting or a tradition from last year, embrace the silent majesty of a winter celebration and make your Christmas season the best one yet.
Merry Christmas and happy party planning!
Again, a huge thank you to Elle for allowing us to feature her National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation party! For the labels for the food, please email her: ellehorn@yahoo.com.
If you love the themed cookies as much as we do — Cookie Angel is accepting orders and is on Instagram!
