Christmas was always a very special and very important time for Elvis. Graceland, his home, became a place of enjoyment and happiness for all. She loved these holidays, being with her family and all the fun things that Christmas brought: decorating, opening presents, celebrating New Year’s Eve, her birthday, sleigh rides, making snowmen and playing ball toss. ..
Although Elvis loved receiving gifts, his favorite Christmas activity was giving gifts to everyone.
His friends received cash bonuses. Gifts for family members ranged from jewelry to new cars. Elvis adored his happy faces when they opened the presents. The early morning hours of Christmas Day were often the best times at Graceland. After everyone went to bed, Elvis and the boys would take out the presents and place them under the tree.
He always wondered what all the people who had no financial resources were doing that night. “I wish I could feed all the poor children and give them gifts,” he reflected ruefully.
When it came to Christmas, Elvis never grew up, he was always a child.
In 1957, when Elvis bought Graceland, all the traditions began in his new home. The purchase of Graceland gave him the opportunity to celebrate the holiday the way he wanted, and fill everything with Christmas lights and decorations. The driveways and the main house were lined with blue lights, and out front were Christmas trees, decorated with colored lights, a Santa’s sleigh, and a train of eight reindeer. Inside, his mansion was fully decked out, with the focus on the huge spinning white nylon Christmas tree. After dinner on Christmas Day, everyone would gather around the piano to sing Christmas carols.
Elvis’s Christmas song was very significant in his musical career. His songs and his Christmas spirit, like gospel music, referred deeply to his roots and his origins, and were forever reflected in his Christmas albums.
To this day, Graceland’s Christmas decorations remain a tradition, and remain intact, so that it remains the magical and iconic place that keeps Elvis’ memory and his love for the holidays alive.
Merry Christmas to all!
ELVIS. The Tupelo Boy
Rosa Garcia Mora
