I was pondering what to write about for today’s blog and looked for inspiration by searching the Internet for “historic events on December 18.” Amid a wealth of frankly depressing options, I found this little gem. On this date in 1966, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! aired for the first time on CBS. As a child, watching this show on television during the Christmas season was a tradition—along with viewing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I mean, there was only one opportunity to watch each of these shows until Christmas the next year! (Not to age myself, but VCRs didn’t come around until I was in middle school.) Sometimes I wonder if the availability of everything (DVDs, streaming, DVRs…) makes those special seasonal programs less remarkable for children. It’s certainly less of an event if you can watch the program whenever the urge hits you. Not that I’m complaining about the convenience—Netflix and I are total buddies. But I do wonder sometimes if convenience removes some of the sparkle for little ones—and for us.
What do you think? And are there traditional holiday shows or movies that you watch every year?
I sure think it does. I have noticed throuh the years that what used to be the greatest day of the year movie day has changed to oh I have seen this or I dont like movies. Since movie day is only once per year in my classes I miss that feeling the kids are really enjoing this. I think its because they can watch their movies whenever.
I love the Christmas Story and that I can watch over and over like a young child. LOL
I started something new this year. I told them about the “Christmas Truce of 1914” and I showed them some videos on it then we discussed the meaning behind the Christmas Truce of 1914 and how mankind can call a cease fire and have peace with one another on Christmas eve and Christmas Day even in a time of war (WWI).