Dr. Suess' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is so Much More Than Just a Christmas Movie

Growing up, Dr. Suess' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" was always my favorite Christmas movie and even as an adult it still is. What became more and more apparent to me as I grew up however is what a great lesson it teaches.

For those who are not familiar with the story here is the synopsis:

There is a "Grinch" that lives up in the mountains with his dog. He hates Christmas mostly because he does not ever feel like he belongs. So to rid himself of dealing with Christmas celebrations, he dresses up like Santa and steals all of the Who's gifts in the middle of the night. When he gets back to the top of the mountain, he realizes that Christmas is still with the Who's as they sing around the tree. The gifts in the end mean nothing at all! The Grinch returns all and is welcomed with welcome arms by the Who's to spend Christmas with them.

I remember as a tiny tot (excuse the reference - I could not help myself), thinking how could all of the Who's still be happy with no Christmas gifts? How could Christmas still go on? With each passing year, the answer became more and more clear. The message behind the movie is true. Christmas does mean a little bit more. And like the Grinch, watching the movie is sure to make your heart grow three times the day you watch it.

At 32, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the Grinch really I cannot even begin to imagine. What I can tell you is everytime I watch it, it puts me in the holiday spirit. Not in a what will I get for Christmas this year kind of spirit but more of a I am lucky to have such great family and friends spirit. The kind that makes you want to sit down and truly enjoy the time spent with friends and family.

Each New Year will bring trials and tribulations and joy and celebrations, but for the holiday season really lets consider that family and friends are far more important than any gift. In a world filled with commercialization and materialism with kids having to have the best and the most expensive, the Grinch teaches two valuable lessons:

• 1) Christmas is about spending time with those you love and not about presents
• 2) Acceptance of those that are different can truly help make the world a better place.

So the next time your child wants to watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" watch it with them and see if they understand the true underlying meaning of the story that Dr. Suess laid out with funny characters and rhymes.