The Hilarious Reason Why Home Alone Is Going Viral Nearly 30 Years Later
Daniel Rodriguez
Updated on February 22, 2026
Home Alone will always be a Christmas classic that truly encapsulates all of the magic and family values of the holiday season. But when you watch it as an adult, you can't help but have some questions.
Like, how was his mother halfway to Paris before she realized she was missing one of her kids? And how come we never give the dad a hard time about it? And most, importantly, what in the name of Santa did Kevin's dad do for a living?
To be fair, the movie suggests that rich Uncle Rob was the one who funded the vacation, but still! The pizza delivery alone cost $228, and his credit card limit in the sequel seems virtually bottomless.
In a thread that is now going viral, however, CNET senior editor Claire Reilly poses another question about the McCallister household that you may not have noticed as a kid. Did they maybe go a little overboard with the Christmas decorations?
Can we talk about the McAllister's house in Home Alone for a second? Like, of COURSE you're going to be a target for Christmas bandits if your house is ENTIRELY Christmas themed! Okay, yes, they have a lot of Christmas decorations up, but that is JUST THE START…
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
Don't get me wrong, we all love a well-decorated house around the holidays, but there is waaaay too much going on here.
Exhibit A:
"What kind of monster has red wallpaper next to a green wall? Offset with contrasting green house plant and red candles?"
Look at that wallpaper. What kind of monster has red wallpaper next to a green wall? Offset with contrasting green house plant and red candles?
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
Exhibit B: Is the green tapestry hanging in the green corridor on the way up to the attic really necessary?
Throw up a festive green tapestry in the green corridor on the way to your attic, why not!
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
Who in the world owns or has ever owned a pine green landline phone?
Yes, it's the 90s, but who has a green LANDLINE PHONE? With red, white and green wallpaper? And red flowers hanging from the bed above red pillows? Did they cast Catherine O'Hara purely because of her red hair? This goes all the way to the top…
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
In fact, is there any color combo in this house other than red and green?
But WORST of all is the kitchen. Red pots, green tiles, red teapot, crimson floors, even a green rolling pin. Guys. We all go to the themed sections of IKEA and get ideas, but you're not supposed to do it in real life.
Home Alone: Great movie. Decorator's nightmare.
Fin.
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
The worst part is that they're not even going to be home for Christmas!
"Why is there so much Christmas theming, Harry?!"
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
It's not just the interior design, a lot of it extends to Kevin's wardrobe as well. I mean, I get that this is a movie, but isn't a kid who is home alone more likely to wear a T-shirt and jeans instead of this flashy red pajama and green robe ensemble?
"I have been here for three days by myself and I've finally worked out why you let them film a Christmas movie here…"
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
Which brings back the age-old question: Did his mom, on some level, actually want to leave him behind?
"Tell the truth. Did you just decorate this place as an elaborate con to leave me at Christmas time?"
— Claire Reilly (@reillystyley) December 4, 2018
Fans of the film are kind of shocked they never picked up on this, and now they can't ever unsee it.
I'm 30 years old, and I've watched this every year for as long as I can remember… I NEVER noticed the red/green everything 😂 and the whole decorating for the day they won't even be home… some people enjoy the decorations all month long. 😊
— Woogz™ ❤ (@Woogie87) December 4, 2018
And, who knows, maybe it's just Christmas in the McCallister house all year-round.
maybe that's the whole point? They do Christmas in reverse – the house is festive 360 days a year, and on Christmas the family goes and spends 5 days living in a sensory deprivation chamber in Tokyo.
— Clairey McSweary (@clairebbbear) December 4, 2018
After all, a recent study did find that putting Christmas decorations up early make people happier. Maybe it's worth having your house look like Santaland on steroids. But if you're a bit taken aback by this color schematic, check out these tips on how to transform your home into a winter wonderland without resorting to simply stuffing it with poinsettias.
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Diana Bruk Diana is a senior editor who writes about sex and relationships, modern dating trends, and health and wellness.Read moreRead This Next10 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
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