A cautionary tale wrapped up in a Christmas bow, Charles Dickens' novella, A Christmas Carol, has touched readers for decades with its study of moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge, who on Christmas Eve is forced to examine his bitter, greedy life with help from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Through the Ghosts Scrooge sees all of the opportunities he has missed, all the unhappiness he has created, and all the misery and tragedy he will continue to create for himself and others if he does not change his ways.

First released in 1843 in Victorian England A Christmas Carol was an instant success and helped England regain its love for Christmas traditions and celebrations and has now become a tradition of its own.