Grinchmas Is Back at Vidler’s!

Grinchmas is back at Vidler’s!

And this year it’s expanded from two windows to four. Our main front windows are once again festooned with authentic costumes, props and other memorabilia from the 2000 live-action film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring Jim Carrey. And every single one of those items is the beloved property of one man: East Aurora resident David Howes.

Howes began collecting “Grinch” movie items in 2003 due to a simple stroke of coincidence, and that nostalgic fondness has since bloomed into a full-fledged collecting passion.

“The Grinch was always a big thing when I was a kid growing up, and this movie just really embellished on the whole story and made it so much better and so much more fun,” he said. “One day, just out of sheer chance, I was searching ‘Grinch’ on eBay, and actual props from the movie came up. I was just like, ‘wow.’ I bought one ornament from the movie—I was thinking, ‘Oh, that’d be a cool thing to have.’ And it just went from there.”

Over the subsequent years, David estimates his collection at one point numbered close to 700 pieces from the movie. Currently he has about 250 items, as over time he’s sold, bartered and traded with other collectors. Though he’s pretty certain he still has one of the largest private collections anywhere.

All those props come with a price tag, and David estimates he’s spent roughly $15,000 on building his collection. However, he thinks his fleet of keepsakes has quadrupled in value—and that’s a conservative estimate. He’s not in it for the money, though. “Here’s one thing I learned a long time ago: if you’re gonna’ collect something, collect what you like,” David said. “If it becomes worth money, that’s just a bonus. If not, you’ve still got something you like.”

And David says the joy it brings to kids and adults alike is worth more than any monetary amount. To see the smiles and hear the shrieks of laughter and delight when they see the Grinch, Max and Cindy Loo-Hoo is all worth it.

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