Elvis Presley, like many of us, was quite fond of Christmas. He’d extravagantly decorate his abode, Graceland Mansion, with festive lights and trees that remained until his birthday on January 8.
Celebrating traditions, The King would throw an all-nighter for his close group, the Memphis Mafia, on Christmas Eve. Billy Smith, Elvis’ cousin and a part of the Memphis Mafia, resided near Graceland with his family.
Billy’s son Danny, who has vivid childhood memories of the estate, runs the YouTube channel ‘Memphis Mafia Kid’, where he reminisces about Christmases spent at Graceland. In one heartfelt video, Danny mentioned: “Elvis loved Christmas and wanted to make sure that Graceland was lit up and decorated beautifully.”
He recounted how the excitement made his heart race, declaring, “It’s something you just can’t get out of your mind, it was beautiful.”
Ever so elaborate, festive treats covered Graceland ready for the Memphis Mafia’s Christmas Eve festivities, reports the Express.
However, everyone eagerly awaited for Elvis to come down and mingle, Danny even confessed to feeling chills of anticipation. While Elvis and the adults gathered in the Jungle Room or upstairs, Danny, Lisa Marie, and other Memphis Mafia children had the liberty to explore Graceland, engaging in games ranging from hide and seek to tossing an American football about.
Danny shared memories of the last Christmas at Graceland in 1976. He revealed that the party continued into the early hours of Christmas Day.
By the end, most of the Memphis Mafia had retired except for his parents Billy and Jo, along with The King’s father Vernon and his girlfriend Sandi Miller. They remained upstairs in Elvis’ bedroom, which is preserved to this day just as he left it when he passed away in 1977.
With the adults upstairs, Danny, Lisa Marie and the other children continued their fun downstairs, even helping themselves to leftover punch. That Christmas, Elvis gifted his daughter her very own golf cart.
Lisa Marie still cherishes Christmas at Graceland and brings her family to celebrate during the festive season. Despite being a museum, the mansion remains a home to Elvis’ daughter who occasionally enjoys family dinners there.
When she visits, her china is used for serving and the 1970s kitchen appliances are turned on. They dine in the dining room by the front door, with an extra table added so the entire family can eat together.
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