Pair of Grinches bring holiday joy

Two local teens are determined to bring a little bit of Whoville and Christmas cheer to the western suburbs this holiday season.

Both Downers Grove North senior Nathaniel Haubold and Westmont High School freshman Trevor Robertson have been out and about this season portraying the Grinch at local holiday get-togethers.

After their moms posted about their son’s business ventures on a local parent’s Facebook group, the boys and moms have been busy fielding calls and texts from residents ranging from families to businesses interested in capturing a little bit of the holiday spirit.

The teens both began their forays into dressing up and surprising guests at functions portraying characters other than the Grinch, the iconic anti-Christmas character that eventually learns the true meaning of Christmas.

For the past four years, Haubold, a gymnast at Downers Grove North, has appeared as Spiderman for birthday parties, a job he fell into after someone hired a different Spiderman who could not follow through on the commitment.

An experienced gymnast, Haubold said the Spiderman role was a natural fit.

Sidelined because of a broken wrist, Haubold said he is focused on the Grinch role – something he honed watching the Jim Carrey version of the Grinch “over and over” growing up.

Knowing the ins and outs of the movie, Haubold said when children approach him with specific comments or questions, he can jump right in.

Robertson, a 6-foot-tall basketball player, said he got started appearing as the Easter Bunny this year, a character he hopes to re-create in the coming months.

For now, the two teens are in full Grinch mode.

To bring the character to life, Haubold walks around events making jokes in a “low monotone voice” and showcasing a bah humbug attitude.

“The Grinch is such a funny dude,” Haubold said.

Tammy Johnson, Nathaniel’s mom and self-proclaimed “momager,” said last year was Haubold’s first making Grinch appearances attending business events, family holiday gatherings and white elephant gift exchanges where the Grinch throws around presents.

Haubold also has done appearances as a dinosaur and Santa Claus, but he prefers the Grinch.

Haubold, who has plans to go into the computer science field after graduation, said the money he earns appearing as the Grinch will be used for car expenses as well a graduation trip to Japan.

Erin Robertson, Trevor’s mom, said the response to her post about Grinch appearances at first was a bit “overwhelming.”

She quickly transitioned into a Grinch Uber.

Since Trevor is too young to drive, his mom drops him off about a block from his intended destination because it wouldn’t be in character for the Grinch to show up in a vehicle.

Robertson’s first event was with a local realtor where he posed for photos with her client’s or potential client’s dogs for two hours.

To date, he has done about seven appearances that have included dance recitals, birthday parties and a neighborhood gathering, a number that will reach about 30 by Christmas.

“Trevor loves kids and he loves dogs, so that was super fun,” she said.

It also was a full-circle moment for the Robertson family since Trevor had his own Grinch-themed birthday party when he was eight.

“It is very sweet and surreal to see this grown boy who is making younger kids Christmases,” Robertson said.

With basketball season going on for Trevor as well as his first year experiencing finals as a high school student, his “schedule is pretty booked for December,” he said.

For Trevor, the role will end for the season with a special appearance on Christmas Eve at the home of a teen with special needs.

The money Robertson is earning will be put in a savings account so he can buy a car when he is able to drive.

Information on how to book a Grinch appearance by Haubold can be found on his Instagram page. Robertson can be reached via his mom’s Facebook page – Erin Robertson.