A Christmas Story

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

What 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas!' Can Teach You About The Holidays

1. Don’t be a Grinch!

"The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!" According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a Grinch is an “unpleasant person who spoils other people's fun or enjoyment”. Today “grinch” is as much a part of our holiday vocabulary as Kris Kringle and eggnog. And without Dr. Seuss, it would never have existed!

2. Always be open to growing your heart during the holidays.

But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his heart was two sizes too small." Though Dr. Seuss suggests that the Grinch’s head wasn’t screwed on just right or that his shoes might have been too tight, we all know that the real reason he hated Christmas was that his heart was too small. No matter how busy and crazy the holiday season may feel, don’t let a too-small heart ruin the holidays for you.

3. Friends can come from the most unlikely places.

So he called his dog, Max. Then he took some red thread. And he tied a big horn on the top of his head." The best reindeer wasn’t a reindeer at all; it was a four legged furry friend. Max is the Grinch’s loyal and lovable sidekick and just like Max, sometimes we have to love and support those who need us, especially during the holidays.

4. Don't forget about the holiday trifecta: Noise! Feast! Sing!

"And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!" In How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Dr. Seuss boils the holidays down to three key things: noise, food and singing. These may have been the things that the Grinch hated the most about the holidays, but they are definitely the things we love the most!

5. The holidays are all about the importance of community.

"The last thing he took was the log for their fire!" To ruin Christmas, the Grinch knew he had to get EVERYTHING, every last speck from the Whos’ houses. But guess what? They didn't care that everything was missing because they knew that material things are not the point of Christmas. Christmas may but come once a year but the essentials of the season, like coming together as community and giving back to those in need, stay with us all year long.

6. No presents doesn’t mean no Christmas.

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” The Grinch is shocked when he discovers that Christmas has continued despite all his best efforts. And this message is just as important as it was in 1957, when the book was originally published. No presents doesn’t mean no Christmas. (This isn’t an excuse, however, to not get that gift your girlfriend has been hint-hinting all year about.)

7. Good food and good company makes everything better.

"And he….he himself! The Grinch carved the roast beast!" In the end, the Grinch makes it up to the Whos by coming back with all their toys and holidays goods. And his final gesture of goodwill is to sit down to eat with them. No matter how grumpy or cranky we feel about the gift buying, the long lines, hours traveling home and nosey relatives, sitting down and having a delicious feast with your family is the best part of the holidays.

For more information on How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and ways to grow your heart three sizes this year, click here!

Images and text courtesy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, credit of Random House Children's Books, division of Penguin Random House LLC.