Union District Spokane

With Christmas Day now passed (but Christmas Season just getting started), there is one trend that stuck out like a green thumb in the lead up to December 25.

My family noticed that Santa was frequently replaced with the Grinch. Numerous times in December, it was Dr. Seuss’ cranky character that was the main draw over St. Nick. From tree lightings to meet and greets at stores, it was the Grinch who was pressing the button or sitting in the throne—actions and places of honor usually reserved for Mr. Claus.

My thoughts? I think it is a cool deal to have the Grinch appear maybe at a single community event during the holiday season. Keeping his appearance at the novelty level is key. But making the Grinch’s prevalence anywhere near that of Santa oversaturates the character. Additionally, I also think it sends the wrong message during Christmastime.

Don’t get me wrong, I know the entire theme of the Grinch centers on his conversion from a Christmas-hating fiend to a Yuletide-loving pillar of the community. This message should be celebrated with zeal this time of the year. The problem is that at the Grinch appearances I witnessed this season (and the countless others my son watched on YouTube) he shows up in pre-transformation character. The costumes/make up depict him scowling and he acts mischievous. Sorry for my unpopular opinion, but I rather have my kids exposed to a kind man in a red suit than someone trying to replicate the aura of Jim Carrey’s 2000 performance.

With all that said, I thought I would end this post on a fun note instead of a lecturing one. As I mentioned, we encountered the Grinch numerous times the past few weeks. Just like with Santa, there are so many variables when it comes to putting together the “total look” that one Grinch might look completely different than another Grinch. Such was the case for us. Please tell me which Grinch we met “wore it best”…

Grinch at the Union District (Spokane) tree lighting event…