The month of Dec. usually correlates to the holidays, a.k.a. the season of giving. Holiday fanatics use this time to spread their holiday cheer by volunteering at homeless shelters, decorating trees, spending time with family and, most importantly, putting up holiday lights. 

At night in Sioux Falls, one can drive south on Western towards 69th and see a neighborhood filled with sparkling lights. However, as one drives down the road, they may notice something peculiar: a single dark, isolated home in the midst of bright red and green colors. I am afraid to admit this, but yes, I do live in the Grinch house of Sioux Falls. Every day, I am reminded that I must decorate my house to abide by the rules of living in my neighborhood, which really just looks like Christmas threw up on it. The constant pressure put on me by my peers almost forced me to ask my parents to pay $280 for a company to decorate my house with Christmas lights. But I wonder, is it really worth the money?

Yes, you can compare my house to the Grinch, but he really is not all that bad. Don’t get me wrong: the first time I watched the Grinch, I was struck with fear. The live-action adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring Jim Carrey as the green, ghoulish Grinch startled me as a child. But as I grew up, it became one of my all-time favorite holiday movies. I realized that the Grinch is not completely wrong for feeling the way he does about the holiday season, nor is he really a bad guy. If you think about it, the Whos in Whoville are almost as exasperating as the people who complain about how dissfactory my house is amidst the glowing homes . Ever since I have had this revelation, I saw the light. Although I don’t agree with breaking and entering into people’s homes, stealing gifts that they worked hard to buy and being an all-around cold person,the Grinch is not really all that bad and I am proud to be spreading his legacy in Sioux Falls.

I promise that I really do love holidays, even if I love the Grinch a little more. Nothing fills me with more joy than the aroma of freshly baked sugar cookies or watching Christmas movies with the people I love. This Christmas, I hope that the Christmas lights bring an illuminating warmth to your hearts and spirits, even if it doesn’t come from my house. I hope that the time spent with others creates a very special feeling of happiness that is representative of this special time of the year. And my greatest hope of all is that you have the best holiday season ever. 

While most would think that the Grinch is a heartless creature torturing the poor lives of the Whos during the “happiest time of the year,” Dr. Seuss reminds everyone of how the Grinch finally realized that the holidays are not about the presents, but the presence of others: “‘Maybe Christmas,’ the Grinch thought, ‘doesn’t come from the store…Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little more.’”