Just a few years ago I first heard a Christmas song that now always makes me smile.  This crazy little song, sung by Gayla Peevy, drove a whole line of “I want a …. for Christmas” designs in my store.  There are currently 15 designs with Orcas, dogs, and other animals people may want for Christmas.

Below you can see the original “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas“ design and the newer red and green.

This popular Christmas song was recorded in 1953 when Gayla Peevey was just 10 years old.   Gayla was a star in the Oklahoma City area when a local promoter picked up the song.  The Oklahoma City Zoo wanted to get a Hippopotamus.  

Together they launched a campaign to present Gayla Peevey with a Hippopotamus.  And sure enough, with this Christmas Novelty song, she got a baby Hippopotamus named Matilda, which Gayla donated to the zoo.  

“Hippopotamus for Christmas” is also a popular Dr Demento hit.

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Lyrics Written by John Rox

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
I don’t want a doll, no dinkey tinker toys
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don’t think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won’t have to use a dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door
That’s the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy, what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinosauruses
I only likes hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me, too

Mom says a hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian

There’s lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I’d feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage.

I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy, what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinosauruseses
I only likes hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me, too