The ‘Grinch’ character from How the Grinch Stole Christmas is alive and lives in Kingston, Canada. The ‘Grinch’, a reported 24 year old man, was arrested last month at the town’s annual Santa Claus parade, allegedly ruining Christmas for children after shouting loudly that ‘Santa isn’t real’. Canadian police charged the unidentified man with intoxicated disturbance.

For the young, it is time to decorate and set out cookies in anticipation for Santa to arrive in his big crimson suit.
However as children get older the unavoidable question is asked, “is Santa real or not”.

“I believe that Christmas is a childhood experience that every child should have,” said sophomore Katri Clay. “I remember when I was younger, I was so excited to open presents, it was magical.”

Junior Sohair El-Mowagy lived in Cairo, Egypt as a child yet still found Santa intriguing.

“I always wondered how Santa could fit in the chimney as he was so fat,” El-Mowagy said. “And as a Muslim, I still don’t understand the significance of the Christmas tree.”

From the tree to red suit, teens recalled personal stories.

“My favorite thing about Christmas was knowing that Santa’s there when you’re sleeping,” said senior Kassandra Alpuing. “It was creepy but fun.”

Senior Megan Hutson recalled finding her presents before Santa’s arrival.

“When I was younger, I used to make gifts for Santa. One year I was looking for something in my parent’s closet and found my gifts.”

Hutson also remembered how hard her parents worked to keep the myth of Santa alive.

“My parents put out footprints around our house as my older brother still believed in Santa. I learned the truth in fourth grade but he still believed he was real.”

Opinions varied on how to handle the truth of the mythical figure from The North Pole.

“Parents should wait to tell their kids right before the start of high school,”freshman Auston Barnes said. “ I was told Santa was fake in seventh grade.”

Freshman Oscar Cunningham had a different point of view.

“Parents should tell their kids Santa isn’t real because you can’t be 25 years old and still believe in Santa.”

While teens have out grown the tale of Santa, senior Mikea Brooks added that she continues to embraces the nostalgic Christmas spirit.

“I still believe in Santa,” Brooks said. “I love the cookies, decorations and coming downstairs in the morning to see the big presents that weren’t there before.”

Santa’s bearded character joined ranks of other iconic figures like the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny.

“Without Santa, and characters like him, children wouldn’t have big dreams and would disbelieve a lot of other things they hear,” freshman Will Thoi said. “Without stories like this, children would have less imagination.”
Other students agreed.

“If children didn’t believe in Santa, Christmas movies would be a drag,” said senior Nick Kaderli.

From movies to special foods, family traditions varied.

“We wake up around 4 am and my sister starts making her famous cinnamon rolls while we prepare the gifts,” junior Jaala Satlerfield said. “ We pass the gifts out from oldest to youngest before going back to sleep. We wake up later to prepare our Christmas dinner and head to a party that lasts until the next morning.”

Not all holiday traditions center on America, such as those from junior Melanie Mayer’s family.

“My family is European so we have a dish called Pinnakjot every Christmas Eve. It’s basically dried, salty lamb ribs and it’s delicious,” Mayer said. “Dessert is cream rice pudding with a hidden almond. The one that gets the almond wins a marzipan pig.”

Regardless of tradition, Valeria Tamayo, senior, looked forward to seeing all the family and “hanging out”.
Tamayo said, “My mom always makes an extravagant dinner and we always help her cook dinner while jamming to Christmas music.”