How to Know if You are a Scrooge

Dec. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Here are the Top 8 Ways to Determine if You are a Scrooge:


1.  You count calories or Weight Watchers points out loud while eating holiday snacks.  It’s good to watch your caloric intake this time of year.  Nutrition experts believe that holiday depression can be caused by the high sugar and fatty foods we eat around the holidays.  But, if you see a friend eating a Santa cookie please let them eat it in peace.

2.  You complain about the company holiday party.  If you are one of the lucky people whose company is throwing a holiday party then be grateful for their generosity.

3.  You feel so overwhelmed with everything you have to get done that you are angry at people who seem to be taking it in stride.  This is the worst kind of Scrooge because anger like this is internalized and causes you to continue to focus on yourself.  This inward focus can easily lead to depression.

4.  You slack off at your job because the end of the year is near.  After all, other people are on vacation so why should you have to work?  This is the best time to get things done because there will be less interruptions.  Use this time to be more productive.

5.  You talk about how you don’t have much money for Christmas presents in front of people you will be buying for.  This is especially Scrooge-worthy when done in front of your kids.  If a child is old enough, he/she will feel guilty for the gifts his parents give him.  Have age appropriate conversations with your kids if money is tight this year. For kids 5 and under, dollar value has no meaning so focus on quantity of gifts instead of quality.  For 5-9 year olds avoid the phrase, “We can’t afford it” and instead place the emphasis on how spending money on a new Wii means less money spent on food or clothes.  Kids 10 and up will feel anxiety and fear for their wellbeing when finance problems are discussed and will definitely feel guilty about receiving gifts they think their parents can’t afford.  It’s okay to say no to kids at this age.  Reassure them that you are watching your spending to make sure there is always enough money for necessities like food and the house payment. For more on this topic read my blog post http://smartzonepsychology.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-ta...

6.  You haven’t participated in any holiday volunteer activities or donated to any charities.   In a recent survey of 3,500 people taken by Dr. Fletcher people were asked to finish this statement “The greatest joy in my life is _____.”  The response “Volunteering and helping others” was in the top 10 responses. Part of depression is that we become focused inward and on ourselves.  Donate a $1 when checking out at the grocery store, volunteer at church or at your child’s school, invite a lonely friend to a holiday dinner.  The website  www.volunteermatch.org allows you to type in your zip code and find places to volunteer near your home.  

7. If you buy house cleaning items like a vacuum cleaner, a mop or a toilet plunger for Christmas gifts – you might be a Scrooge.   This is a little tongue-in-cheek but many of you can relate to this one.  Even though someone may need a new garden hose or screens for their windows something that is more personalized that shows you know someone’s taste and interests is more personal and celebrates your relationship this time of year.

8.  You are reading this list and thinking, “What’s wrong with that?!”   Need I say more?

Don’t get “Scroogey” this holiday season!

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Susan Fletcher, Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist & speaker on Emotional Intelligence, productivity, performance & leadership development. She is the author of Working in the Smart Zone (2008) & Parenting in the Smart Zone (2005).