How is family portrayed in A Christmas Carol?

In this novel, family is portrayed as one of the most important elements of one's happiness. Fred, Scrooge's nephew, continues to invite him, year after year, to his Christmas celebration; why do this if not because family makes Fred happy? He certainly doesn't do it because his invitations are well-received!

Further, Scrooge is very upset when he is shown his former fiancee, Belle's, happy family. She is surrounded by children and is the beloved wife...

In this novel, family is portrayed as one of the most important elements of one's happiness. Fred, Scrooge's nephew, continues to invite him, year after year, to his Christmas celebration; why do this if not because family makes Fred happy? He certainly doesn't do it because his invitations are well-received!

Further, Scrooge is very upset when he is shown his former fiancee, Belle's, happy family. She is surrounded by children and is the beloved wife of a man who cares deeply for her; Scrooge realizes that he put his love of money ahead of his love for Belle, just as she said. His money has not made him happy, in the end, but Belle obviously looks very happy with her family.

When the Ghost of Christmas Present shows the Cratchit family to Scrooge, Scrooge eventually comes to the realization that Bob may be poor in wealth, but he and his family are rich in other, more important ways. They are happy because they are together, and it is only the prospect of one of them being unable to come to Christmas dinner that can upset Bob. It is no matter that their dinner is scant and their pudding smells like laundry.

Moreover, being at Fred's with the ghost and listening to the games may be the happiest we ever see Scrooge. Even though one game is played at his expense, he doesn't mind, because being with loved ones makes him so happy. Ultimately, he goes to spend his holiday with Fred and Fred's wife because he seems to have recognized how joyful it would be; further, he allows the Cratchits to have their own family holiday together (without interruption by him), and he offers Bob the partnership when he returns to work the next day.