Spirit of Christmas Giving

     As quoted from Charles Dickens timeless "A Christmas Carol" (lectured by Scrooge's good-hearted nephew [the most generous soul, besides Scrooge's ex-boss Fezziwig]): "There are many things that make me happy.  Things that haven't increased the size of my purse by anything.  Christmas is one of them.  I've always looked upon Christmas as a kind, charitable, forgiving, pleasant time.  Its the only time when people open their hearts freely.  That all human beings are really part of the same "family", and they owe each other some measure of love and warmth.  Thus, even though that spirit of Christmas hasn't put a scrap of gold in my pockets, I believe that it has done me good and will do me good."

     That being said, its shameful to learn from Lewis about the cheapening and deteriorating sense of Christmas Thanks from his company.  When I met Lewis, three years ago, his company spent a budget of $100 per person to take his retail team out for a hearty Christmas party.  Since then, senior management within the company (as well as store management) has been changed/terminated.  Then, the budget dropped to $50 per person, which still afforded for a very nice Christmas dinner.  Last year, it was reduced to $40 per person… which made it a challenge to find a decent Christmas meal in NYC.  Thankfully, Lewis recommended a place that offered a "Winter Prixe Fixe Menu".  This year, the budget has diminished to only $25 per person.  Its not even enough to have a dinner.  So, the new management team (seemingly thankful for anything from Corporate) suggested ordering Deli Food or Chinese Food or Pizza to be delivered to the store, after hours on Christmas Eve.  Nobody wanted to stay later at work!  So, last Sunday, Lewis suggested that they buy their own lunches, and the store's meager Holiday Budget could reimburse them.  Everyone loved the idea.  One young fellow bought 2 lobster rolls from the Food Court in the Plaza Hotel (a place where their recently-fired VP of Stores used to take them for "luxury training sessions").  Another bought 3 Deli sandwiches to last throughout the week.  2 others bought gift cards for Duane Reed.  Yet, it didn't bring any sparkle of Christmas, nor any Sense of Gratitude or Giving.  Its amazing that the prices of merchandise at Lewis' company have risen steadily during the last three years.  Each year, his luxury boutique gets a higher Sales Goal, and they hit their goals.  Each year, Lewis makes his company more money than last year (he's the TOP salesman in the country).  And yet, his so-called "luxury" company cheapens its treatment of the employees--who make it revenue.  What a Thank You!
     I'm reminded of a movie quote, "When I hear the "privileged" talking, I hear words oozing from a moth-eaten sofa.  They're back in 1746.  They believe that the 40 million people in the country exist to make them comfortable.  They grumble about inconveniences like being deprived of imported bath salts.  They fear "the people" because those "common folk"--who do all the work--may suddenly wonder why they're wasting their lives and risking their futures to keep the "privileged" afloat."
     As comparison, one of Lewis' colleagues has a boyfriend who works at Gramercy Tavern, owned by Danny Meyer.  For their Holiday party, Meyer took the entire restaurant's staff out for dinner/drinks at the exquisite eatery, Per Se, with a budget of $400 per person.  And invited each staff member's "significant other".  I'm sure that Lewis' company makes more money than Danny Meyer's Hospitality Group.
     Perhaps you've noticed that my blog reflects the cheapening of the NYC retail environment, the Srooge-ish treatment that it gives its employees, and the cheapening of its standards.  Such a shame.  Yet, I hope you don't become cynical.  Reread the above quote, and do your best to make the holiday as special as possible.  Perhaps my earlier blog post about Random Acts of Kindness with inspire you.  Think of the Ghost of Christmas Spirit: you can't change the past or future, but you can savor the opportunities of today.  (Its also the premise of the Christmas movie, "12 Dates of Christmas").  Let today's story show you what NOT to do.  After all, what you put out comes back to you.  That being said, (and as Scrooge's nephew proclaimed) Merry Christmas to you and a blessed New Year!