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Squirrel Causes ‘Christmas Vacation’ Moment For North Carolina Family

Author Phil Harris
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

If you know the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you remember the scene when the Griswold family discovered a woodland creature living in their Christmas tree. Well, life imitated art in a Waxhaw, North Carolina home this holiday season.

According to WBTV, a squirrel infiltrated the Stading family’s Waxhaw home and found its way into the family Christmas tree. Mom Taylor Stading says the critter got in through a loose roof shingle, climbed through a sink pipe opening, and emerged in an upstairs bathroom. That’s when the family dog, Dixie, chased it and the squirrel sought refuge in the tree.

Taylor opened a window and managed to flush the squirrel out with a little encouragement from a dust mop. Along the way, Mom got some advice and commentary from her kids, Colton, 11, Savannah, 8, and Caroline, 8. It’s a holiday memory I’m sure the family will cherish forever. Especially the kids.

Thankfully, the incident was caught on camera and you can see the Stadings’ original Facebook post here. You can also watch WBTV’s report and the Hollywood version of the incident below.

WBTV Report

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

America's 10 Most Beloved Christmas Movies

We all have our favorite holiday activities. It could be decorating the Christmas tree; baking cookies; gathering with family and friends; or shopping, shopping, shopping. But according to SWNS Digital, a OnePoll survey of 2,000 Americans reveals that our favorite holiday tradition is watching Christmas movies.

Is it really that surprising? I mean, there’s nothing like cozying up on the couch with a comfy blanket, some hot cocoa, a few tasty snacks, and settling in for a heartwarming holiday story on your TV. And depending on the weather, it could become an all-day Christmas movie marathon!

So now the question is what are America’s most beloved Christmas movies? You know, the really nostalgic ones that hit you right in the feels. The same survey ranked the top ten choices, and the #1 movie on the list is a true classic.

America’s Most Beloved Christmas Movies

  • 10. Elf (2003) - 27%

    Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart

  • 9. The Santa Clause (1994) - 27%

    Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz

  • 8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) - 29%

    Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, Randy Quaid

  • 7. White Christmas (1954) - 30%

    Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney

  • 6. A Christmas Story (1983) - 31%

    Peter Billingsley, Melina Dillon, Darren McGavin

  • 5. The Polar Express (2004) - 30%

    Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari

  • 4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) - 35%

    Boris Karloff, June Foray, Thurl Ravenscroft, Dal McKennon

  • 3. Home Alone (1990) - 42%

    Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard

  • 2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - 42%

    Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Tracy Stratford, Cathy Steinberg, Bill Melendez

  • 1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - 43%

    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

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