Giving it to the Grinch

To the editor I have a solution to the whole “Santa” breakfast dilemma. We call it “Breakfast With The Grinch.” Based on the fact that the Grinch has been elevated to near equal status as Santa during the holiday season he would be the most likely choice as the name sake replacement. He wears a Santa suit and has something to do with gift giving. He’s actually about taking them away first and then giving them back but that can be overlooked. The symbol of Santa will be more or less the same. What happens at the breakfast is quite different though. The same community gathering happens with no change in decorations or costumed characters parading around. To everyone’s relief, none of them have anything to do with religion. Parents, teachers and children get to socialize in a lighthearted happy environment which builds community spirit. People get an opportunity to meet others and get to know them on a different level outside of the school environment. The only difference from the old party is that instead of coming with the expectation of getting a gift you bring one. When you arrive, you wait for that special moment when the Grinch shows up and steals everyone’s presents. Later on if you want you can sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what you would like, and as I remember it at King Elementary’s “Santa’s Luncheon,” Santa gives you a candy cane. In the end, the Grinch shows up again and gives Santa the huge bag of gifts and tells him to give them away to all the “not so naughty” children in the world. The gifts are then donated to appropriate charities. And that my friends is the point of the whole thing: Giving. Bob Linguanti Bellvale