Hello, Mr. Scrooge, and thank you for allowing me this to to discuss Christmas with you. Your generosity to the community after your supposedly supernatural experiences, and your being influenced by your employee, Bob Cratchit, was definitely appreciated by one and all. Helping other people gives one a sense of purpose, and I’m sure that was a primary consideration of yours, considering how alone you were prior to your decision to be generous.

However, have you noticed that, once your gifts were received, people came back wanting more? And have you noticed that a good percentage of the gifts given within the community reflected the reckless spending to which you had earlier surmised? My point, Mr. Scrooge, is that, although Bob Cratchit had a way of influencing you to spend money that benefited him (Did you notice that?), your earlier points should not be overlooked. After all, you have decades of experience with effective use of finances and, while it is easy to be influenced sometimes, your concerns are still valid, and only need some degree of moderation, not complete capitulation.

What’s that? You were wanting to help Bob’s son, Timothy, whom he effusively referred to as Tiny Tim? Yes, I agree that having someone who suffers, or is otherwise constrained in their lives, seek your magnanimity is flattering, especially since you have the capability to address their concerns and be thanked. In retrospect, could it be that he was just playing on your sympathy?

You agree? Yes, it’s good to get to the truth. Mr. Scrooge, I’m glad to see you are maintaining your skepticism; it’s a tough world out there. Okay, Cratchit got your charity for his son, but I would keep my eye on him. Now that he sees that you enjoy helping others, don’t be surprised if he soon approaches you with all sorts of requests that impact on your profits, but benefit him. Yes, things such as a shorter work week, paid vacation, sick time allowance, and all manner of such frivolities. Now that you’ve opened the door of kindness, there’s no end to it. Just be careful.

As I see it, Mr. Scrooge, Christmas has its benefits, despite my earlier comments. You’ve noticed that sales are up, and that people spend more willingly and incur debt that they abhor during other times of the year, so you and other businessmen reap the benefits of that. People are also more accepting of mediocrity in services at this time of year, wanting to be kind and friendly to all, allowing you to be more slack in your services. People enjoy the warm feeling of Christmas and the teachings from their childhood that creates its own memories and anticipations.

Again, thank you for your time, Mr. Scrooge. Christmas is, indeed, a wonderful time. Merry Christmas.