Clark offers to buy gifts for Eddie's kids so they can still enjoy Christmas. In addition, the older half of his children are too busy to join Eddie in the visit. Eddie later admits that they are living in the RV they arrived in as he is broke and has been forced to sell his home and acreage. While standing on the front lawn admiring the lights, Clark is shocked to see Ellen's country-based cousin Cathrine and her husband Eddie, as they arrive unannounced with their children, Rocky and Ruby Sue, and their Rottweiler Snots. When they finally come on, they temporarily cause a citywide power shortage and create chaos for Clark's yuppie neighbors, Todd and Margo. He covers the house's entire exterior with 25,000 twinkle lights, which fail to work at first, as he has accidentally wired them through his garage's light switch.

Clark, however, maintains a positive attitude, determined to have a 'fun old-fashioned family Christmas'.

Soon after, both Clark's and Ellen's parents arrive for Christmas, but their bickering quickly begins to annoy the family. Realizing too late that they did not bring any tools to cut the tree down, they are forced to uproot it instead, before driving home with the tree strapped to the roof of their car. After walking through the snow for hours, Clark picks out the largest tree he can find. He drives his wife Ellen, daughter Audrey, and son Rusty out to the country to find a tree. Chicago-area resident Clark Griswold plans to have a great Christmas with his entire family.

The cat returns steelbook