1. Christmas Vacation is based on the late, great John Hughes' short story Christmas '59, the second Vacation story to be published in National Lampoon's Magazine. The first was Vacation '58, which was the basis for the original National Lampoon's Vacation. This explains the label on the home movie reel Clark finds in the attic: "X-Mas '59." 2. The Griswolds live right next door to the Murtaughs! Both Christmas Vacation and Lethal Weapon were ...