One of the most iconic Christmas movie scenes. In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Clark believes he is receiving an annual bonus from his company as he had in years past but turns out he receives a gift certificate for a Jelly of the month club membership. From there, the movie takes a big turn.
Quick answer: the Jelly of the Month Club is the "bonus" Clark Griswold gets from his boss, Frank Shirley, in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) instead of the cash he was counting on. Download the free certificate below. Printing one and giving it with a real jar of jelly is one of the best Christmas gag gifts around.
Print a Free Jelly of the Month Gift Certificate
As a fun Christmas joke, print out and trim this gift certificate. This one has two images. One from Frank Shirley, President of NutraTox or you can fill in your own name.
Depending on what this looks like on your home printer, here is the same pdf but with the image looking a little more aged. This one too has one from Frank Shirley, President of NutraTox or you can fill in your own name.
If you are not familiar with the scene, it is worth a couple of minutes to watch here.
How to give it as a gag gift
- Print and trim the certificate on heavy paper or card stock.
- Sign it "from the desk of Frank Shirley," or fill in your own name.
- Seal it in a business envelope so it looks like a bonus check, and hand it over with a straight face.
- Add real jelly. This is what makes the gift a winner instead of just a joke.
Real jelly to go with the certificate
The easiest way to pull off the gag is a ready-made Christmas Vacation Jelly of the Month gift set with 12 assorted jams and jellies. One for each month, just like Clark’s membership.
On a budget, an 8-jar Bonne Maman assorted preserves set does the job and tastes great too.
For the Griswold fan who has everything, hang a Jelly of the Month Club glass ornament on the tree.
And of course, watch the scene together. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Blu-ray is a must for any Christmas movie night.
Jelly of the Month Club FAQ
What is the Jelly of the Month Club?
In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold expects a big Christmas bonus but instead gets a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club from his company. Cousin Eddie famously calls it "the gift that keeps on giving the whole year."
Who gave Clark the Jelly of the Month Club?
His boss, Frank Shirley, the head of Clark’s company. The certificate is sent instead of the cash bonus Clark had been counting on to pay for a swimming pool.
Is the Jelly of the Month Club real?
Not the one from the movie, but real jam and jelly of-the-month subscriptions do exist, and Christmas Vacation themed jelly gift sets are sold every year.
How do you give a Jelly of the Month Club certificate as a gag gift?
Print the certificate, fill in the name, and seal it in an envelope so it looks like a bonus check. For the full joke, give it with a box of assorted jellies, or tape it to a single jar.
Is the Jelly of the Month Club certificate free?
Yes. Both versions on this page are free to download and print: the classic certificate and a rustic, aged-paper version. Each PDF has one certificate signed by Frank Shirley and one you can fill in yourself.