The current economic climate is such that it might not be all that surprising to see that many people are becoming a Scrooge of sorts this Christmas. If you really want to be the vindictive type of Scrooge, these tips will be the perfect guide. If, on the other hand, you're feeling Scrooge like but would rather not act on it, try to think of ways by which you can make Christmas as festive as possible without having to incur financial hardship.
For anyone who is determined to be as Scrooge like as possible, these tips will ensure that everyone is aware that you are this year's biggest Scrooge.
*Cancel Christmas -
Call a family meeting and tell everyone that Christmas is canceled this year. Make sure they understand that this year, there will be no Christmas spirit or anything else in the house this year.
*Be Scrooge like when you shop -
Be extra Scrooge like at the grocery store. First of all, cut in line ahead of everyone - especially when the store is really crowded. Then go through the aisles making sure that you take the last of anything. Pay particular attention to do this when people are coming down that isle. If someone looks like they are looking for something in particular, rush to grab it before they do. To ensure that your Scrooge like behavior is seen and felt, don't hesitate to grab items out of the hands of little old ladies. Steal stuff from carts whenever you want.
*Be Scrooge at work -
Make your Scrooge like attitude known at work. When you answer the company phone, be as rude as you possibly can. Insult the company's customers, clients and other employees. If you are a boss, show your Scrooge attitude to the other employees by eliminating Christmas bonuses, presents or anything else. To reinforce this spirit, tell them you are instituting a pay cut - effective immediately.
*Ditch the gift list -
Instead of fussing over Christmas shopping this year, forget about all of it. Ignore the kids letters to Santa and the relatives expectations that you'll come to the family get together and bring presents for everyone.
*Don't do any Christmas shopping -
To ensure that you really ditch the gift lists, just forget about the Christmas shopping. Don't buy anyone presents. Make sure that people notice your lack of gifts when you check out at various stores.
*Don't send out Christmas cards -
If you usually send your extended family and friends Christmas cards, forget about them. Don't bother ordering the cards, buying the stamps or anything else.
*Don't call family on Christmas -
If you usually call family that lives far away on Christmas Day, forget about doing that too. When they call you to wish you a Merry Christmas, reply with a BAH HUMBUG!
*Cancel the family Christmas Dinner -
If you usually have a family Christmas dinner, cancel it this year. Tell the relatives that this year, there won't be any Christmas. Instead of having turkey or ham, dressing and all of the fixings, serve meat loaf or burgers and fries.
*Don't bake any Christmas cookies or goodies -
For many people, baking cookies and other goodies over the holiday is as much a tradition and ritual as anything else. If you usually bake goodies and cookies for friends, family and co-workers, don't do it this year.
*Skip all church activities this Christmas
If you usually sing in the church choir, participate in the church Christmas show and help out with the church Christmas dinner, forget about doing that this year. Don't even show up at church. Be sure not to answer the telephone when the pastor or other church parishioners call to find out where you are.
*Skip all holiday activities this year -
If the family usually goes to see Santa at the mall every year, skip it this year. If the family regularly plans an outing to look at Christmas lights, skip that this year. If the family takes kids to special shows or activities for kids over the Christmas holiday, forget doing any of those things too.
*Avoid all Christmas movies and music -
As long as you are being a real Scrooge this year, don't forget to make sure that the usual sounds of Christmas music are silent in your home this year. Make sure you don't watch any of those beloved Christmas movies either. To ensure that no Christmas music is heard and no Christmas movies or television shows are on the televisions in your home, block all channels except for the cable news channels.
*Don't decorate the house -
In keeping with the spirit of Scrooge, make sure that you don't decorate the house this year - both inside and outside. If everyone else on the block puts out all sorts of fancy lights and lighted Christmas figures, make sure that yours are conspicuously absent. Instead of putting the Christmas wreath, ribbon or bells on your door, you'd do well to make a large sign that says BAH HUMBUG to plaster in plain sight on the front door.
Everyone is feeling the effects of the economic crisis in some way or another. The challenge for holiday shoppers this year is to figure out how to make Christmas as meaningful as they can, especially for children, without going broke to do so. Consider making your gifts. Rather than shopping for a lot of people, get together with the family and draw names. Everyone gets one name and purchases a gift for that person.
Consider going out of your way to help others who are in need. A trip to a nursing home to spread Christmas cheer to the residents there, or to the homebound elderly just to wish them a Merry Christmas may be more meaningful than you can ever know. When you do for others, even when things aren't so great for you, the rewards you reap from giving to others are greater than anything that can be measured in material or monetary terms.