Coffee Klatch

Probably my favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. It has become a Christmas classic (it’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since it was made). Ralphie and his quest for his very own Red Rider BB Gun (a “200-shot carbine-action range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time”) is filled with childhood memories that almost everyone can relate to in some form or other.

I just learned recently that, while the setting of the movie was a smallish town in northern Indiana (probably Hammond), the actual filming location was Cleveland, Ohio.

Anyway, this was a special weekend in the Christmas Story scenario. NPR produced a story today that the actual house that was used in the movie was purchased by someone who specifically decorated it to look like it did in the movie. Down to the Leg Lamp in the window. (And, yes, you can buy all kinds of versions of that leg lamp on that website.)

Visit http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/ to read about the house, see pictures, find out hours, get maps and directions. There’s a museum for the movie right across the street from the house and tickets get you access to both places.

ALSO, the actual Chinese restaurant from the movie is less than 10 minutes away. If you bring your ticket stub from the Christmas Story House, you get 20% off your bill. “…And yes they do serve Peking Duck aka Chinese Turkey.”