20 of the most cheerful holiday characters ranked

12. Cousin Eddie (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

Okay, one of my absolute favorite holiday movies is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (And yes, Clark makes this list.) And part of the reason is because it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without Cousin Eddie. In his own way, he is as cheerful as Clark.

Even as he messes up, kidnaps Clark’s boss, and tries to blow up the neighborhood, Eddie is always very positive. And you have to consider the fact that he doesn’t really have the money to treat his children to Christmas, but still does his best to be happy around them. And when Clark and Ellen offer to give him and his wife the money they need to provide their children with the kind of Christmas they deserve, his joy is infectious.

Plus, going back to him kidnapping the boss, you have to give him credit for trying to make things right for Clark and turning his Christmas around after his disappointment. Eddie does his best for everyone in his family, even as he doesn’t have a lot more than the clothes on his back and the trailer he drove the family to Clark’s house in. And for that reason, his cheerful disposition makes him a must for the list.