“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is undeniably one of the most unique and beloved holiday tunes. Its quirky charm and catchy melody have made it a festive favorite for generations. While many enjoy its lightheartedness, the song’s premise of a child wanting a hippopotamus for Christmas often raises questions about its origins. Was it purely whimsical, or was there a real-life inspiration behind this unusual Christmas wish?
The delightful truth is that the song is indeed rooted in a heartwarming real event. Contrary to initial assumptions, the song wasn’t sung by an adult mimicking a child’s voice. In 1953, when she first recorded “Hippopotamus for Christmas,” Gayla Peevey was actually a genuine ten-year-old. This revelation adds another layer of charm to the already endearing song.
This Christmas hit wasn’t just a success on the radio; it sparked an extraordinary wave of goodwill. Gayla Peevey, a young Oklahoma native and professional singer signed with Columbia Records, became the face of the Christmas season with her hippopotamus wish. The overwhelming popularity of the song inspired the Oklahoma City Zoo to launch a campaign to make Gayla’s whimsical wish a reality, in a way. They rallied the community to raise funds to purchase a real hippopotamus as a Christmas gift for Gayla.
Remarkably, the campaign was a resounding success. Just in time for Christmas, the Oklahoma City community successfully raised enough money to purchase a hippopotamus. Gayla was overjoyed to receive the حيوان فرس النهر, which she named Matilda. Understanding that a hippo wasn’t exactly a typical pet, Gayla, in a heartwarming gesture, “donated” Matilda to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Matilda became a beloved resident of the zoo for nearly five decades, bringing joy to countless visitors and forever linking Gayla Peevey’s Christmas song to a real-life tale of holiday spirit and community generosity.
This true story adds a layer of warmth and magic to “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” It transforms the song from a simple novelty tune into a reminder of the power of childhood dreams, the generosity of communities, and the enduring spirit of Christmas.
