Why does Ralphie's mom have a fly-swatter on Christmas morning?

[Orrex]

And are we to read something into the gift of the "blue ball," which she drops strategically onto the lap of Ralphie's father?

Also, is Ralphie's dad fighting a hangover on Xmas day, on Xmas day in the morning?

[texanwitch]

1. I have thought about the blue ball many times.

Maybe Ralphies mom is getting back for the leg lamp in the window.

[Orrex]

2. The fact that he specifically says 'a blue ball'

And then rasps "thanks" in a high, strangled voice has always made me think that a deeper meaning was implied.

I first saw the movie at a friend's birthday party in 83, and it seemed conspicuous even to our ditzy 12-year-old brains!

[texanwitch]

4. Maybe Mom and Dad were busy Christmas morning.

Ever notice the twin beds in the parents bedroom.

The beds were very narrow.

[Orrex]

5. Not sure when I first noticed that, but yeah...

Maybe Ralphie woke up too early and caused a little Christmas interruptus... Hence the significance of the gift.


Conversely, perhaps Dad consistently (how shall I put this) fails to deliver, so that mom's gift to him is a token of his repeatedly non-delivered gifts to her?


Okay, that's just uncalled for. Perhaps I'm up too late and thinking too much...

[KitchenWitch]

3. Never noticed the fly swatter...

The blue ball was definitely intentional! :D

[sarge43]

6. The Old Man hit the cheap wine Christmas Eve

".... the special Walgreen drugstore ventage..." Shepherd made a point of it in his short story "Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails The Cleveland Street Kid" which is the basis for A Christmas Story

In that time and place a fly-swatter was a thoughtful gift. A Midwest summer produces black flies the size of B-52s. No kitchen circa 1940's complete without a working swat hanging by the stove My mom favored the classic wire mesh type which puree those suckers. Also Ralphie and Randy had to save up all year for their Christmas gifts; they were a significant investment for those kids.

The ball drop wasn't in the short story, so cheap movie laugh I suppose.