This holiday season, you may be inundated with people spreading goodwill all around you. You know, those giving and sharing types, trying to make the world around them a better place? Well, you can do something about it. Here's five ways to be a true Scrooge this holiday.
Spare change
The holidays are a time to buy a lot of stuff for people who have a lot of stuff. As you rush from store to store in a mad frenzy to buy, you may stop in at a espresso coffee chain and purchase an overpriced holiday latte. If you pay with cash, remember to not give any spare change to those who ask for it on the streets. Just keep drinking your coffee - the steam rising from the cup will fog your glasses so you don't have to look at those who ask for the coins jingling in your pocket.
Leftovers
It's fun to go out to eat over the holidays, as many restaurants have festive menus planned. With the size of entrees these days, it's hard to finish everything you order. Remember to ask for a to-go box, but then ensure you hold on to it tightly as you head back to your car. Even though the food will probably go bad in your refrigerator before you think about eating it, why give it to someone who didn't buy it, fair and square?
Volunteering
It takes a lot of time to get everything done this holiday season. There's shopping for gifts, writing out holiday cards, attending holiday parties...and not to mention the many gatherings with family and friends. Who has time to volunteer for even a few hours at a community food bank, or any number of other non-profits that help those in need? Besides, they hire people to do that work. They don't need extra help nearly as much as you need time to seek out that perfect cashmere top to go along with you new blank pants.
Toys
Every year, it's all about getting kids to go see Santa. You have to find the best place to take your kids to have their picture taken with Santa. Cost is no matter, right? What will the friends and family think if you don't send them that cute picture of the kids screaming their heads off while sitting on a bearded man's lap? While you're waiting in line for the jolly red giant, you may notice some people doing toy drives, collecting toys for kids so they can have a few things to open for the holidays. Make sure to steer clear of that racket! I mean, come on, who do those toys really go to, anyway?
Music
Often times, musicians sing and play instruments on the streets during the holidays, in order to entertain people but also to earn money. It's great that these people want to share their talents with the rest of us, but after a while it can get pretty irritating, can't it? Make sure you never give them money or purchase any of their CDs. There's plenty of places these people can get gainful employment. If they're so into singing and playing music, why don't they audition for the orchestra?
So there you have it - five easy ways to be a Scrooge this holiday season. There are plenty more, so I welcome people's comments on ways they've passed on the grinchy spirit to others!
2 comments:
speaking of that last method, I thought of you tonight, I was in a Celtic Christmas concert that was truly spectacular, including Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Appalachian song and dance, bagpipes, kilts, harps, and so much more. Moya Brennan was also part of the show. You would have really enjoyed it. :)
That sounds like a great concert! I think Celtic music is appropriate for the holidays, from the standpoint of tradition, given the whole Celtic/Pagan/Solstice time of year that it is (and given that it was a holiday for that before the Christians repurposed it).
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