I’ve always been a fan of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” A lot of people look at me funny when I say that, but I contend the Grinch has an unfair reputation.
I know that all the Whos down in Whoville like Christmas a lot. And I know that the Grinch, who lives just north of Whoville, does not.
The book suggests that maybe the Grinch doesn’t like Christmas because his shoes are too tight. Or because his head isn’t screwed on just right. Or, the most likely reason of all, is that his heart was two sizes too small.
With all due apologies to Dr. Seuss I don’t believe any of those reasons.
I think the Grinch hated Christmas because when he went to PetSmart to buy his dog Max a rawhide bone over the Labor Day weekend, workers were hanging the Christmas decorations.
I think the Grinch hated Christmas because every store he went into after that was forcing Christmas on us before the leaves fell off the trees.
I think the Grinch hated Christmas because his Facebook feed was full of people’s freshly decorated Christmas trees – the week after Halloween.
I think the Grinch hated Christmas because he found Christmas specials on the TV – the week before Thanksgiving.
I think the Grinch hated Christmas because he got fed up hearing “White Christmas” while it was still 75 degrees outside.
A lot of my friends like to call me the Grinch. They are wrong. I love Christmas. I'm a big fan of the whole winter-wonderland, chestnuts-roasting, holly-jolly season. I just don’t think Christmas needs to begin any sooner. As it is now, Thanksgiving gets trampled in the pre-Christmas rush. Actually, Labor Day was nearly trampled in the pre-Christmas rush.
I understand why retailers do it. The Christmas shopping season accounts for a huge percentage of their yearly business, and they need a strong Christmas to make a profit. I've got no problem with a business making a profit. It doesn't make much sense to operate a business if the owners aren’t making a little money.
But can’t we slow the Christmas train a little? Wouldn’t it make it more meaningful to compact those celebrations in fewer days?
When I was a kid, we put up a live Christmas tree about two weeks before Christmas. By the time it came down, there were more pine needles on the floor than on the tree. I can only imagine the fire hazard a live tree will be after having been decorated in someone’s living room for nearly two months.
It was about this time of year when my brother and I would get the old Sears Wishbook out and start circling the toys that we wanted. It was in plenty of time to get our list to Santa before the big day. I know there are a lot more people in the world today, but I don’t think Santa needs your list in early November.
I don’t like being compared to the Grinch. But I understand why it happens.
Maybe the Grinch wouldn’t be so grinchy if folks didn’t start celebrating the season so early, while there are still other holidays to share. Don’t forget the end of the story, when the Grinch went back to Whoville and found out that he loved Christmas. He loved Christmas so much he carved the roast beast.
That’s because all the Whos down in Whoville had the common decency to wait until Christmas Eve to put up the tree.
