when did i want a hippopotamus for christmas come out

Oh, that was in 1953. It was written by John Rox and recorded by Gayla Peevey. It's become a Christmas classic and is frequently covered by various artists. The song tells the story of a young girl who asks Santa for a hippopotamus for Christmas, which confuses him because he doesn't know where to find one. The song has a fun and lighthearted feel to it and is a favorite among children and adults alike.