I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas Shirley Temple

Okay, let's talk about a Christmas song so delightfully absurd it makes reindeer games look tame: "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas." You know the one! But did you know it wasn't actually sung by Shirley Temple?

That's right! While the image of the adorable child star belting out this bizarre holiday wish is common, the real singer was a little girl named Gayla Peevey. Let’s dive into how this happened.

The Hippo Hoax (Kind Of)

So, why the Shirley Temple confusion? Well, Gayla Peevey was undeniably cute. And her age certainly helped fueled the false association.

Combine that with the song's immediate popularity and the fact that Shirley Temple was the biggest child star *ever*? It's easy to see how the wires got crossed. People simply assumed.

It’s like thinking every 80s power ballad was sung by Bon Jovi. Some things just stick!

A Hippo-Sized Marketing Ploy

Here's the really fun part. "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" wasn't just a quirky song. It was part of a brilliant marketing scheme!

A local department store in Oklahoma City hatched a plan to boost sales. Their idea was simple: let Gayla sing about wanting a hippo, and then *actually get her one*.

Kids (and their parents) went wild! People were clamoring to donate money to "The Gayla Peevey Hippo Fund." It was a fundraising frenzy.

The goal? To bring a real, live hippopotamus to the Oklahoma City Zoo! Imagine the excitement.

Hippo-monium Ensues!

The campaign was a massive success. They raised enough money to purchase a baby hippo, which Gayla Peevey promptly named "Mathilda."

Mathilda became an instant celebrity! Think of her as the OG internet-famous animal, but in 1953.

Gayla gifted the hippo to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Mathilda lived there for almost 50 years!

The Song's Enduring Appeal

"I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" is more than just a catchy tune. It embodies the unbridled joy and wishful thinking of childhood.

It’s funny, slightly absurd, and completely unforgettable. It's the perfect antidote to overly sentimental holiday schmaltz.

The song is still a holiday staple. It makes it fun to imagine a giant, aquatic mammal waddling under the Christmas tree.

So, Next Time You Hear...

Next time you hear "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas," remember Gayla Peevey. She's the real deal.

Remember Mathilda, the hippo who captured a city's heart. Also, don't forget the marketing genius. It's a Christmas story as wonderfully strange as the song itself.

And maybe, just maybe, picture Shirley Temple shaking her head and smiling at the whole adorable mess.

“I want a hippopotamus for Christmas,
Only a hippopotamus will do.
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy,
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy.”