A Bitter Spirit

Day 9: The Grinch

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch...For over 50 years, the story of the Grinch has been a part of Christmas. Jealous of the Whos, the Grinch (with his loyal dog Max in tow) set about stealing their Christmas. But Christmas morning, as the presentless Whos joyfully sing, the Grinch realizes that there is more to Christmas than just presents and his heart famously grows three sizes.

Day 8: The Randy

One of our newest family Christmas traditions is the viewing of A Christmas Story, a story about nine year old Ralphie and the Christmas he longs for a Red Ryder BB Gun.  Like many of us, Ralphie has an annoying younger sibling, Randy.  Dressed in a red, overstuffed snowsuit, Randy tags along after his brother in his adventures to and from school.  Endearing but seemingly not too bright, Randy is the quintessential kid brother we get annoyed with but ultimately love (ahem says Kate).

Day 7: The Griswold

National Lampoon’s Vacation movies introduced the world to the Griswolds, a typical American family lead by their bumbling father, Clark. Nearly everyone knows a guy like Clark (if they aren't a Clark themselves). He tries...so hard...to be the best father he can.  But whether it's planning a family vacation at an amusement park when the park is closed or putting the downpayment on a pool before getting his Christmas bonus, his best laid plans usually end up backfiring.

Day 6: Yukon Cornelius

The first few days of our calendar highlighted some holiday characters who, in our opinion, made Santa's Naughty List. To varying degrees, their actions had negative consequences in each of their stories. But, it being Christmas, each character was eventually redeemed.

Now we move into our next group: the Loveable Lugs. These are guys who just can't seem to catch a break but are ultimately endearing for the way they keep plodding through life. Whether they're buffoonish, bumbling or not all together bright, we usually see some part of ourselves in them and really want them to win.

The holiday special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was rife with memorable supporting characters who, like Rudolph himself, felt like misfits. One such character was the boisterous prospector, Yukon Cornelius, who rescues Rudolph and his merry band. This peppermint-loving galoot helps to save the day (and the Abominable Snowman) while delivering some memorable lines (“Now I'm off to get my life-sustaining supplies: cornmeal and gun powder and hamhocks and guitar strings.”) How could you not help but love this lug of a guy?