Looking for a national lampoon christmas vacation themed party with plenty of movie-inspired details? Moose mugs, a green Jello mold and a tree covered in quotes give you lots to work with.
There are even a few costume ideas if you want to join in on the fun.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Pick a favorite scene for your snack table, then bring in colorful lights and a little plaid.
I especially love the squirrel decorations!
Christmas Vacation Party Ideas Worth Saving
moose mug by the tree
We’re starting off strong with this adorable moose mug. I love the big clear antlers with the lit Christmas tree behind them.
Set out similar mugs at your drinks station. You could serve eggnog for that pale, creamy-looking drink shown here, or choose another party favorite.
flattened cat and colorful lights
How funny is this little movie reference? The black cat-shaped decoration has a shaggy white outline with colorful lights scattered around it.
Try placing your version beside the tree, away from the walkway. You want the joke on display without cords getting under everyone’s feet.
clark on the front lawn
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. This Clark-inspired mannequin holds up two orange cord ends while wearing a blue jacket, patterned sweater and baseball cap.
Use disconnected prop cords if you want to recreate the pose. The raised arms are the detail I’d keep!
aunt bethany’s green jello
I am obsessed with this Aunt Bethany snack-table idea. The pale green ring-shaped mold looks so cute against the red plaid tablecloth.
Give your own dessert a little movie card like the one here. The character photo and “Aunt Bethany’s Jello Mold” label do plenty of the decorating for you.
squirrel in the branches
Is that a squirrel hiding in the Christmas tree? This pair of movie stills is all the inspiration you need for a little surprise among the branches.
Tuck a toy squirrel into your tree to borrow the idea. Keep it near the front rather than hiding it completely.
santa hat and crooked tie
Don’t want to go all out with a complicated costume? No problem!
Take your cue from Clark’s Santa hat, pale blue shirt, patterned tie and dark cardigan.
The battered stack of presents is a fun extra. You could carry empty gift boxes with crumpled wrapping instead.
movie quotes all over the tree
This tree may just be one of my favorites here. I love the oversized red lettering and all those multicolored lights.
The Clark cutout beside it makes the whole corner part of the theme.
Start with a few large quote signs among your ornaments. The “Looks great” and “Lotta sap” signs are especially easy to spot.
save the neck centerpiece
How funny is this turkey prop? The split-open top makes it look deliberately disastrous, with a “Save the neck for me, Clark” sign right beside it.
Try a turkey-shaped decoration as your table centerpiece rather than making the actual dinner part of the joke.
turquoise cat cake
The bright turquoise and colorful lightbulb decorations are so cute on this cake. A black cat silhouette with a shaggy white border covers the top.
This version has a birthday message around the base. Ask for a Christmas greeting instead if you’re borrowing the design for your holiday party.
fruit and cheese christmas tree
If you are looking for a snack idea without another big dessert, this one is for you. Cheese cubes and fruit form a Christmas tree on a black platter, with rows of grapes running across it.
I love the kiwi slice at the bottom. Add a little movie-scene card beside your platter to connect it to the rest of the table.
rv welcome sign
Welcome everyone with this framed RV sign. The snowy trees and illustrated camper sit below the words “Jolliest party this side of the nuthouse.”
Set a similar sign near your entrance. You can personalize the bottom with your own party details rather than keeping the names and year shown here.
todd and margo drinks station
The Todd and Margo quote is such a fun choice for the drinks table. I especially love the green polka-dot border beside the big silver-colored ice bucket.
Put a framed quote next to your chilled drinks to try this idea. You don’t need to decorate every bottle when the sign already brings in the movie reference.
a little full a lotta sap
This is another quote-covered tree, but it’s a little different from the one above. Individual white cards spell out “Little full” and “Lotta sap” across the branches.
The small train around the base is my favorite extra detail. Try the letter-banner idea if you’d rather keep most of your existing ornaments.
christmas lights invitation
Get the theme started before anyone walks through the door with an invitation like this. The red border, dark blue center and illustrated Christmas lights are such a fun combination.
Choose a decorated-house design and add your own date, location and RSVP details. Keep the colorful bulbs around the edges.
colorful lights in the kitchen
I am obsessed with this Christmas kitchen. The lights around the window and cabinets make the decorating feel like it continues through the whole room.
For your own setup, try garland above the cabinets with lights rated for indoor use. Keep them clear of the stovetop and sink.
squirrel and jelly club display
There’s so much to look at on this plaid runner, from the toy squirrel to the framed Jelly of the Month Club certificate. Even the large novelty Tylenol-labeled jar joins in on the joke.
I’d borrow the squirrel and certificate for a smaller version. If you include a medicine-themed prop, keep it empty rather than using real medication or look-alike treats.
red truck and plaid bows
Don’t want every decoration to be a movie quote? No problem!
This little red truck, white pitcher and plaid bow give you a pretty Christmas arrangement to mix in.
I love the red berries among the greenery. The tiny tree in the truck bed is worth keeping if you want that bringing-home-the-Christmas-tree detail.
north pole snow globe cookies
How adorable are these snow globe cookies? The pale blue backgrounds, white snow and red-striped posts look so pretty together.
These are more general Christmas treats than a specific movie reference. Add them beside your themed desserts if you want a little variety, or show the picture to your cookie decorator.
black cat costume
This is such a playful way to turn the cat decoration into a costume. A black top and pants are outlined with white tinsel, plus black ears and painted whiskers.
Keep the tinsel clear of your feet if you try a similar look. The ears and whiskers already make the cat idea easy to recognize.
jelly of the month snack tray
Last but definitely not least, we have this Jelly of the Month Club snack display. Crackers surround a soft-looking cheese topped with a chunky amber-colored spread, with a serving knife laid across it.
I love the movie photo clipped above the tray. Pair your favorite cheese and jelly, then add a themed label to bring the whole idea together.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily
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