War Against Christmas 2004 Competition [V]: Here It Comes—“Grinchmas”!

By Bryanna Bevens

When I think of children’s literature, I think of Dr. Seuss.

In fact, I am convinced my aversion to ham and eggs is a testament to his literary power.

I won’t eat them in a box; I won’t eat them with a fox…green or yellow.

But How The Grinch Stole Christmas was always my favorite. (A moderately deranged child, I secretly rooted for the annihilation of Who Ville. I was convinced the perpetual glee of the Who, at best, stemmed from their Lithium-enhanced water supply and was therefore disingenuous.)

But I don’t think it was Seuss’ intent to replace Christmas with “Grinchmas.”

However, a reader reports that Universal Studios is now offering this sales pitch:

“Give in to your mischievous side at Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s Grinchmas celebration. Seuss Landing transforms into Who Ville, with roaming ‘Who’s’ and a flurry of whimsical Who-liday decorations. You can even meet the mean, ‘green one’ himself, and take in the Who Ville Whobilation, a live musical show of the beloved Dr. Seuss tale How The Grinch Stole Christmas."

True to form, just above the advertisement for Grinchmas is the spiel for Macy’s “Holiday” Parade.

I must say this is one of our better entries. Universal manages to displace Christmas, through the hearts and minds of children no less—and, incidentally, make a tidy profit.

The only reference to Christmas I could find was in the title of the “tale”—The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. And that was more likely than not for copyright protection.

Alternatively, it was simply gross oversight on the part of the Khristmaskampfers. Coming soon: How The Grinch Stole The Holidays?

Wanna bet?

Dr. Seuss had it right in the original:

“Then the Grinch thought of something he had never thought of before.”

“Maybe Christmas” he thought, “Doesn’t come from a store.”

“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”

Bryanna Bevens [email her] is a political consultant and former chief of staff for a member of the California State Assembly.