Christmas meant home and family and fun. With his success and the
purchase of Graceland in March 1957, Elvis soon had the pleasure
of turning his family home into a Christmas wonderland. Elvis
would stretch the season as long as possible, having his
decorations in place at Graceland just after Thanksgiving and
leaving them up until the day after
his birthday, January 8th
On Dec. 12, 1957 for $300.00, Elvis purchased from Bains Sign
Company the Santa and sleigh yard decorations with his message
to the world
"Merry Christmas to All, Elvis"
Inside Graceland the drapes were changed to red velvet. Holly
and poinsettias were everywhere. Adorned with red ornaments,
the beautiful white nylon Christmas tree rotated on its stand
and played Christmas carols. That year, Graceland took on an
added glow from some special visitors, Hannerl Melcher, Miss
Austria and her roommate Cathy Gabriel, Miss Ohio.
Christmas at Graceland
Elvis had met both of these beauty queens in Las Vegas. Hanner
and Elvis had posed for a photo shoot in October. Fans know
the picture well of Elvis wearing a black leather jacket,
astride a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a lovely
platinum blonde. Both Henner and Cathy posed with
Elvis at Graceland that Christmas, seated together on
the staircase in the foyer as he contemplated his
draft into the U.S. Army - a publicity shot that had
them looking at a calendar as they counted the days before
Elvis would have to report for duty.
Holidays with Elvis:
Easter
| Birthday
|
4th of July |
Mother's Day |
Valentine's Day
In the 60s Elvis added the nativity scene and Christmas trees
on the front lawn, plus blue lights along the driveway. It
became a Christmas tradition from then on, with a Santa and
sleigh setup going into storage. His father joked that, with
the long driveway lined in lights and airport being nearby,
pilots might get confused and think Graceland was the place to
land.
