The Grinch Makes Interesting California Appearance

In a posh suburb of San Jose called Monte Sereno, one neighborhood house owned by Alan and Bonnie Aerts drew up to 1500 visitors per night last year between Thanksgiving and Christmas to view their Christmas decorations. Apparently, the house had some rather extravagant decorations--perhaps costing as much as $150,000, and supported by additional electricity feeds from the local energy company, Pacific Gas & Electric. Another couple in the neighborhood decided that they had seen enough; they took a complaint petition to the city council signed by 90 residents of Monte Sereno. The council decided to require individuals to obtain a permit for all extravagant house decorations.

Rather than go through the elaborate permit application process, the extravagant decorations stayed in storage this year and the Aertses instead erected a sixteen-feet tall Grinch that points at their neighbors' house (the same neighbors who complained about their decorations) and sings part of the Mr. Grinch song. Mr. Aerts says that his neighbors have dampened the Christmas spirit. Read the full story here.

I have to say that the Aertses seem incredibly selfish in spite of the fact that they used their decorations last year to raise nearly $10,000 for the Toys for Tots program. If they had just donated the $150,000 to charity, they would have accomplished much more for the Toys for Tots program and would have limited the alienation between themselves and their neighbors. Just because you like decorations does not mean that your neighbors do. Why should you impose your personal experience of the season on those around you? Put the decorations indoors.

I'm happy to say that I would be proud to have the giant Grinch pointing at me. Christmas has become more about 'what am I getting' that about friends, family, and celebration of community. Shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve has become the loudest, most rude, most annoying experience on the face of the Earth. As Christmas approaches, I become more ill-tempered, short-tempered, and easily annoyed than at any other time during the year. Generally, I am ready to celebrate Christmas on about January 14th--once my neighbors and family members settle back into normal, polite, kind, considerate, and loving personas. This year will be even worse since I already know that my one wish for Christmas--a new President--will have to wait four more years to come true!

I hope everyone at least had a nice Thanksgiving!