35 Comments

This is timely, we just had dinner with a family who told how his father had a Christmas tradition of having the entire family sit around watching the original animated version of the grinch and right at the point where the sled full of gifts was about to go toppling down the mountain, he would stop the video, say and the sled full of gifts was destroyed and all the Whos down in Whoville Boo Hoo'd, the End. His sister declared every time worst Christmas movie ever and she did not find out that was not the true ending until she was much much older and watched it at someone else's house amazed at the end to discover that the end was not where she thought it was.....

Expand full comment
author

This is the best possible family tradition.

Expand full comment
Dec 12, 2022Liked by James Breakwell

This is my favorite post of yours ever. Spot on sir.

Expand full comment
Dec 12, 2022Liked by James Breakwell

Here's TMI - I was reading this sitting in the waiting room at the mammography center. (I warned you, TMI!) And I snort laughed. Twice. I'm sure the other women thought I was nuts. I was able to keep it to a silent-ish giggle the rest of the time. This was hysterical. I see a new book in the making. Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny.... OK, maybe just 2 more articles.

Expand full comment

I also was thinking about the possible book adaptations!

Expand full comment

This is the best newsletter! I jokingly told my friends that my Christmas hot take is that Santa is a vampire. Proof:

*Immortal

*Moves with super speed

*Works at night

*The cold doesn't bother him

Expand full comment
author

You might be onto something. I'll leave out some garlic on Christmas Eve just in case.

Expand full comment
Dec 12, 2022·edited Dec 13, 2022

When so many children's first reaction to Santa is to let out a big scream or cry many tears or flat out refuse to sit on his lap, could it be they have been trying to tell us something all along? Just like dogs can sense an evil aura, perhaps the first-timer kids can, too.

Points well taken, James!!

Expand full comment
author

The kids knew all along...

Expand full comment

The movie with Jim Carey goes even further to prove the Grinch was right. He talks about how all the Who's care about are gifts and how they all eventually get tossed, so really, how special are they? He's right, they lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas, and it took an angry green dude and a 7-year-old to remind them. "Miracle on 34th Street" does something similar, with Kris Kringle lamenting about the commercialization of Christmas.

Expand full comment
author

Yes! He's on the right path.

Expand full comment

How long has this been building?? LOL.. You make me want to get a restraining order against Santa!

Expand full comment
author

A lifetime, apparently.

Expand full comment

😆 lol

Expand full comment

Bold take! But I find nothing you've written to be inaccurate. #TeamGrinch

Expand full comment
author

Welcome aboard!

Expand full comment

I laughed out loud at most of this. I am definitely team Grinch.

Expand full comment
author

Welcome to the winning side.

Expand full comment

Did you know you are fake history porn on Reddit today?

Expand full comment
author

Okay, I'm going to need some kind of explanation on that one.

Expand full comment

I can’t upload a pic here but the Reddit post is an image of one of your tweets. The tweet says 5 year old: I wish we all had infinity dollars. Me: That’d wreck the economy 5: I just- Me: Go to your room until you understand inflation. This is a tweet from2015.

Expand full comment

Santa=“magic” Only possible way it works! Ya got to ✨believe✨😉

The Grinch is my favorite ever Christmas story! And I love his dog Max!

Expand full comment
author

That dog is everyone's hero.

Expand full comment

LOL, this was great. Have you hear of the book “Much Ado About Mean Girls”? It’s a book about the movie Mean Girls and it’s in Shakespeare. For some reason the author came to mind when I read your work.... the creativity and unique perspective and argument must have done it

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check it out.

Expand full comment

Oh my gosh. Yes!!! PREACH! 🙌🏼

Expand full comment

Perfection

Expand full comment

I have been a fan of Mr Wonderful aka The Grinch for many years. My bride is not pleased with me but I remind her without the Grinch who would the people of whoville have to be grateful for ? Plus the Grinch is not about all the commercialization we see, he just wants peace and quiet, like ME #teamgrinch

Expand full comment

😹😹😹 [wipes away tears] Finally, the truth!!

Expand full comment