Well, it’s official: I’m old. Did you know that this year marks the 50th anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas? It’s true!

It seems to me that I remember when the TV special first came out. (Oh, wait—a quick check with IMDB tells me that even the television special was born before I was. Alrighty.) So maybe I’m not quite that old, but still. It’s been fifty years since Theodor Geisel wrote the original story, and over forty years since the television tradition began.

On the heels of my confusion over the holiday special my kids chose to watch, last night they sat down to watch the Grinch movie (which they had recorded earlier). Now, my kids have no idea that there’s a live-action version of the film out. So far as they’re concerned, the Grinch I grew up with is the only Grinch there is.

And that’s the way we like it.

I’m thinking I may have to get a copy of the special Random House anniversary edition of the book:

[The book] not only includes the original story, but also a 25-page retrospective by Dr. Charles D. Cohen, a Massachusetts dentist who has the largest private collection of Seuss-related items in the world.

The 50th-anniversary retrospective Cohen wrote traces the evolution of the drawings, describes Geisel’s collaboration with Chuck Jones on the successful TV cartoon that followed the book and surveys the sequels and foreign-language translations.

“Who knew that the Grinch is called ‘Trolli’ in Iceland and ‘Gorcs’ in Hungary?” says Cohen.

In his retrospective, he also looks at the way the story has become part of the culture, with references to it popping up in literature, television and everyday speech.

He’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch. (You’re welcome, for putting that song in your head for the rest of the day.) But I sort of love him. And so, it would seem, does the rest of the world. Happy birthday, Grinch! Have some roast beast.

Last night my family had the misfortune to catch Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer on television. You know how this goes—it’s Sunday night, the tree is twinkling and the busy weekend is drawing to a close, and the kids ask if they can see if anything good is on TV, and you say okay… and before you know it, you’re watching a holiday special of dubious merit.

It’s happened to everyone. Right? Right. Don’t leave me all alone in this.

Anyway, I am a fool for holiday specials on television, so I have no idea how I managed to never see this one before, but it was terrible. It was so terrible it was hilarious in its terribleness, because we all know the song, right? And yet, here it is, fully animated, with Grandma actually all flattened in the snow after drinking too much eggnog. And then she just disappears! For, like, an entire year. Which isn’t funny in the slightest, except that it sort of is, because no one seems to find this overly odd, not even when Grandpa starts singing a song about how Grandma is hanging out in heaven with Elvis. I sent the kids to bed about halfway through, because I couldn’t stand it anymore.

(Seriously, I don’t know what the creators were thinking, but I suspect them of drinking too much of something much stronger than eggnog. Just sayin’.)

This got me to thinking. (That’s never good, I know.) It’s been a really long time since there was a new holiday special that I felt was a must-see. All of my favorites are movies I watched as a kid. Am I being a nostalgic snob, or are there just no specials worthy of the “classic” title being made these days?

I mean, my all-time favorite is probably the newest one of the bunch I consider necessary viewing—A Christmas Story came out in 1983. (Do not even try to argue with me about its importance to the Christmas season. I will not hear of it. It’s not Christmas until I say “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” to one of my children.)

I know a lot of folks consider The Polar Express a “new classic,” but I disagree for two reasons. First, it was a big-screen release and is feature-length, which makes it unsuitable as a television holiday classic. Second, say what you will about the film, but you have to admit that the conductor is kind of creepy. I mean, really.

So are there any new contenders? Or should I go back to Charlie Brown and the Grinch and the Heat Miser and just be quiet?

There’s been a rash of toy recalls this year (”Really,” you say, “you noticed that?”) and most parents are understandably antsy when it comes to shopping for safe items for their kids, now. No one purposely buys something for Junior that could potentially choke or poison him. (Um, no one I know, anyway.) The assumption used to be that anything you found in the store, certified safe for children, really was. Recent events have shaken that belief.

There’s no shortage of information on the ‘net about what’s happened, what’s being done, what you should do, etc. If you’re concerned—and I’m not going to minimize this; if you’re a toy-buying consumer, you should be concerned—avail yourself of these resources. If you’re shopping here at Ty’s Toy Box, they now have a Frequently Asked Question area addressing toy recall concerns, which encourages consumers to check out the Toy Industry Association’s dedicated site, ToyInfo.org, to stay informed.

My children are past the put-everything-in-their-mouths stage of life, so I have not personally been touched by any of the recent toy recalls. But as a parent I do want to stay abreast of the issue, lest I unwittingly bring an unsafe product into my home. (But then, I feel that way about all sorts of products. I still think I’m more likely to burn the house down with our toaster than my kids are to decide to eat pieces of a craft kit. Maybe I’m naive.) And I know that sometimes the information we want and the information we actually get are not one and the same.

So here’s something to think about: Recently Liz over at Mom-101 was contacted by someone doing PR for ToyInfo.org. You should read her whole post to get the backstory, but the end result was that Liz has been given the opportunity to ask Toy Safety Industry VP Joan Lawrence whatever burning question she feels best represents parents’ current toy safety concerns. Liz is soliciting suggestions over on her entry. It’s good reading even if you don’t have a burning question, but if there’s something that really on your mind, go visit Liz and tell her about it. Your question might end up being answered by The Powers That Be.

In the meantime—use common sense about the toys you bring into your home. Pay attention to the age ratings, and pay attention to your kids when they play. Send in product registration cards and take away broken toys and all those other things you already do. You need to be aware of these things, but you don’t need to buy into the hype that nothing’s safe anymore, because that’s an overstatement of reality.

There’s a difference between being vigilant and being scared. Which, if you think about it, is probably a good motto for parenting as a whole.

If you have children, chances are that December is a month of anticipation for you. Christmas is coming, Hanukkah started last night; school is wrapping up for the (calendar) year and vacation looms on the horizon. The regular television shows are giving way to all sorts of holiday specials.

There is excitement in the air. Once you’re an adult, perhaps you’ve learned to savor it. But children? They are not so much with the savoring. No, kids are apt to be just a wee bit impatient.

I’m pretty sure Advent was invented by someone with kids. (”Darn it, Junior, I told you there’s still 24 days until Christmas! Eat this piece of chocolate and leave me alone!”)

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, of course, but I do think the anticipatory nature of Advent is something most everyone can appreciate. If your family isn’t counting down until Christmas, maybe you’re counting down until vacation. Or until New Year’s. It doesn’t matter; kids are not particular when it comes to turning the regular days into something special.

I’ve been reading a lot about others’ Advent season traditions, and I’m wishing I had time to do them all. But I’ll share some of my favorites here; maybe you’ll find some inspiration, and a way (or two or three) to stave off the “Is it time yet isitisithuh”s of the season.

Being a bookworm, I love how Chris’ family wraps up their seasonal books so that they not only get to unwrap a book each night, the family then reads together.

This post contains instructions on how to make a beautiful string of tiny envelopes for an advent season of special activities, and not only does she illustrate her project, she points to many others. Like a traditional felt calendar, and cute little felt pockets, and a version with little magnetic tins.

My favorite one is eminently kid-friendly as well as a great “green” activity: Make a recycled paper tree advent calendar!

Whatever you do this month, take the time to relax and have fun with your kids. Sometimes we get so busy “getting ready” for the fun part, we forget to, well, have fun. And the nice thing about an Advent calendar (or something like it) is that it reminds us that every single day is a little gift. (Please remind me that I said that, the next time the kids are aggravating me.)

This one has been all over the ‘net since it was posted, and it’s good as well as entertaining—and therefore worth a read—but I’m just not sure how to write about it without stepping into the mire.

The fact of the matter is that Disney has been called out for racism and ethnocentrism before. The fact is that, as one of the oldest animation studios, some of their early work isn’t so much “not politically correct” as it is downright offensive in its racial stereotyping. This doesn’t (necessarily) mean that all of Disney is wrong or bad or evil, merely that these things have been noted.

If you must know where I stand on the issue, I’ll tell you: I like Disney. I think they produce good entertainment. On the other hand, I sure would like it if they had some more female heroines bigger around than a toothpick, and preferably who can find happiness without a man coming along and saving them. I’m just sayin’.

Nevertheless, I found myself alternating between dawning horror and uncontrollable guffaws while reading The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters yesterday. The article is valuable for the information it points out, alone, but the icing on the cake are the “Best (Worst?) Moments” highlighted for each example. For Aladdin, pictured above, we get this commentary:

“Where they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face” is the offending line, which was changed on the DVD to the much less provocative “Where it’s flat and immense and the heat is intense.” Whatever. Our question: In a city full of Arabic men and women, where the hell does a midwestern-accented, white piece of cornbread like Aladdin come from? Here he is next to the more, um, ethnic looking villain, Jafar.

It’s a good point, though a small part of me is gratified to see them tampering with one of the male characters for a change. (I know, I know, that’s wrong.)

By the time they work their way down to the horrifyingly racist Uncle Remus, we get this little gem:

Lesson Learned:
The late 1800s were a great time to be African-American and possibly on acid.

This piece isn’t for the kids (of course), but you may find it elucidating. Check it out if you’re not too easily offended.*

*Humor found in the piece linked herein does not imply an acceptance or forgiveness of racism in any form, but simply an indication that some Toy Box Mommy types are really just 12-year-old boys at heart, who believe that even the most heinous transgressions can be giggle-worthy with the proper commentary.

Ty’s Toy Box is a little bit nutty over Miffy. Heck, she’s got her own store here and everything. And right now we’re sharing the love, because we have a lot of Miffy to share.

That’s right! Ty’s has decided to involve some of the parent bloggers out there in spreading the word about (and love of) everyone’s favorite little bunny. Miffy may appear small on your television, but guess what we have? We have some exclusive plush Miffys that are 28″ tall. You’d expect to pay a pretty penny for a stuffed animal that large, but this week you may be able to get one for the low, low price of…

… absolutely free.

Just take a traipse through the blogosphere, friends. Some Miffy-lovin’ parents have partnered with us to give away these cuddly Miffys over on their blogs. All you have to do is check them out and cross your fingers. Somebody (actually, lots of somebodies) have to win. Why not you?

Here’s where you can find the contests:

• A Hole in the Fence
• All Adither
• Suburban Turmoil Reviews
• The Madame Queen
• Fresh and Sassy
• Lipstick to Crayons
• Hey, You! (our lone, brave dad in a sea of moms… thanks, Ben!)
• Daring Young Mom
• A Mommy Story
• Ninja Poodles
• Preteens, Toddlers, and Newborns, Oh My!
• Mom Writes
• Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews

I’ll be updating this list throughout the day as other posts go up, but the point is that there are plenty of places to enter. Who knows? You might win a giant Miffy and find some great new blogs to read.