Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Profanities T-Shirt
$19.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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Christmas classics
Clark Griswold
Clark Griswold is the father who wants the perfect family occasion so badly that he destroys it. John Hughes created him in short stories for National Lampoon magazine, and Chevy Chase played him first in National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983, a road trip to an amusement park.
- First appearance
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), Warner Bros.
- Created by
- John Hughes
- Also known as
- Clark W. Griswold
- Universe
- National Lampoon's Vacation
- Appears in
- film
Who is Clark Griswold?
Clark Griswold is the father who wants the perfect family occasion so badly that he destroys it. John Hughes created him in short stories for National Lampoon magazine, and Chevy Chase played him first in National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983, a road trip to an amusement park. The character's Christmas outing, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, came in 1989, directed by Jeremiah Chechik from Hughes's script, which grew out of his magazine story Christmas '59. That film is the one that lasted. Clark covers his house in thousands of lights that refuse to work, hosts relatives who should not be together, and waits for a bonus that turns out to be a jelly club membership. The film's props and in-jokes — the moose-head mugs, the station wagon, Cousin Eddie, the lights — have become one of the largest categories of adult Christmas apparel, most of it designed to be recognised only by people who have watched it every December.
Clark Griswold: the details
- First appearance
- National Lampoon's Vacation, 1983
- Created by
- John Hughes, in stories for National Lampoon magazine
- Played by
- Chevy Chase
- The Christmas film
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 1989, directed by Jeremiah Chechik
- Its source
- Hughes's magazine story Christmas '59
- The lights
- His failing display of thousands of bulbs is the film's central running joke
- The bonus
- It turns out to be a jelly club membership
Why Clark Griswold endures
The father whose disastrous Christmas became the main source of adult holiday in-jokes on American apparel.
What Clark Griswold looks like on a shirt
Signature motif: Christmas lights on a house, moose-head mugs, the family station wagon
Prop designs carry the character without a face, which is the norm for live-action film apparel. Strings of lights print best on dark fabric; the moose mug works on anything.
Adult sizing. Prop and in-joke designs for fans; check wording before buying for a workplace, as some designs quote the film's cruder lines.
Clark Griswold T-shirts
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Anbech
Anbech Griswold Family Christmas Shirt Women Raglan 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Tee Casual Tops (Green, XL)
$11.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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Tasuxe
Griswold Family Christmas Vacation Shirt for Women Funny You Serious Clark Shirt Merry Christmas Tshirts Clothing (L, Red5)
$14.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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Popfunk
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Break Wind T-Shirt
$19.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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TeesAndTankYou
Griswold and Co Christmas Trees Shirt Unisex Large Natural
$14.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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DIRTYRAGZ
DIRTYRAGZ Griswold Family Christmas Vacation Shirt - Funny Christmas Shirts Movie T-Shirts for Men & Women, L Red
$19.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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Mad Engine
National Lampoon Griswold Family Christmas Tree Farm Vacation T-Shirt(Heather Red,Large)
$21.95on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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National Lampoon's
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Clark Black & White,Short Sleeve T-Shirt
$17.99on amazon.com · Oct 27, 2026
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Buying from outside the United States? Prices shown are amazon.com in US dollars. Links redirect international readers to their local Amazon, where pricing, sizing and availability are shown in local terms.
Price and availability are taken from Amazon at the time shown and can change. The price on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.
Sizes: kids to adult
These links run a live Amazon search for Clark Griswold shirts in each US size band. Amazon shows what is currently listed; availability in a particular size is confirmed on the product page, not here.
| Band | Ages | US sizes | Search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler | 2–4 years | 2T, 3T, 4T | Search toddler sizes |
| Kids | 4–7 years | XS (4/5), S (6/7) | Search kids sizes |
| Youth | 8–14 years | M (8), L (10/12), XL (14/16) | Search youth sizes |
| Adult | 15+ | S–3XL | Search adult sizes |
US sizing shown. Cut and measurement vary between brands — see the size guide before ordering, especially for youth sizes. Base search: Griswold Christmas t-shirt.
Who has played Clark Griswold
| Performer | Production | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevy Chase | National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | 1989 | Live action |
More from Christmas classics
All Christmas classics →More movie icons
All movie icons →Clark Griswold T-shirts: common questions
Who created Clark Griswold?
Clark Griswold was created by John Hughes, first appearing in National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983 (Warner Bros.).
What does a Clark Griswold T-shirt usually look like?
Christmas lights on a house, moose-head mugs, the family station wagon. Adult sizing. Prop and in-joke designs for fans; check wording before buying for a workplace, as some designs quote the film's cruder lines.
Are Clark Griswold T-shirts made for children?
No. Clark Griswold comes from work made for older audiences, so we keep the character off our kids pages even where children's sizes are manufactured.
Who has played Clark Griswold?
Clark Griswold has been played on screen by Chevy Chase (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 1989).
How much does a Clark Griswold T-shirt cost?
Clark Griswold shirts we currently track start from around $11.99 on amazon.com. Every price on this page is dated, because they move.
This profile was compiled from published reference material about Clark Griswold — first appearance, creator credits and production history — and is a secondary source rather than a substitute for the original publication. Where a detail could not be corroborated it has been left out. We do not physically test garments; see how we work for what that means and what it does not.
Reference. This profile was compiled from published sources; no single authoritative article covers this character. Our method and limitations are stated in full.
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