Who is Fred in A Christmas Carol?

Fred is Scrooge’s nephew, the son of his late sister Fan. He is cheerful and kind, and he invites Scrooge to Christmas dinner every year.

Does Scrooge ever go to Fred’s Christmas party?

Yes. After the three spirits change him, Scrooge goes to Fred’s house on Christmas Day, and Fred welcomes him warmly.

Why does Fred keep inviting his uncle?

Fred believes Christmas is a time for kindness and forgiveness, and he feels sorry that Scrooge misses out on the fun. He hopes his uncle will change his mind someday.

From A Christmas Carol

Fred

Scrooge’s nephew • Full of Christmas cheer

Scrooge’s cheerful nephew, who never gives up on inviting his uncle to Christmas dinner.

Who is Fred?

Fred is Scrooge’s cheerful nephew, with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and a laugh that fills the room. Every year he invites his grumpy uncle to Christmas dinner, and every year Scrooge refuses. Fred never stops trying, never gets angry, and even raises a toast to his uncle’s health at his own party. In the end, his kindness pays off.

Fred is a character in A Christmas Carol, the 1843 novel by Charles Dickens, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Fred like?

Cheerful
Forgiving
Welcoming

Fred’s story

Fred is the son of Scrooge’s dear sister Fan, and he is the first person we meet who truly loves Christmas. He bursts into his uncle’s cold office on Christmas Eve, glowing from the frosty air, to wish him a merry Christmas. Scrooge snaps at him. Fred answers that Christmas is a kind, forgiving, charitable time, and that although it has never put gold in his pocket, it has done him good.

Fred cannot be driven off. He invites his uncle to dinner, and when Scrooge refuses, he says goodbye cheerfully anyway, and even wishes Bob Cratchit a merry Christmas on the way out. The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to Fred’s party, full of games, music and laughter. Scrooge is surprised to find that his nephew’s guests joke about him, and that Fred still defends him, saying he feels sorry for his uncle and will keep inviting him.

After Scrooge changes, he nervously knocks at Fred’s door on Christmas afternoon. Fred welcomes him at once, with no hard feelings, and the party becomes wonderfully merry. Fred shows how kindness, patience and a good laugh can win over even the grumpiest heart.

“I have made the trial in homage to Christmas, and I’ll keep my Christmas humour to the last.”

Fred, telling Scrooge he will not stop inviting him. From the original 1843 novel by Charles Dickens.

A moment to remember

When Scrooge shyly knocks on his door on Christmas afternoon, Fred leaps up with a shout of joy and wraps his uncle in a huge hug.

Ebenezer Scrooge: his uncle
Bob Cratchit: the clerk he greets kindly
Ghost of Christmas Present: the spirit who shows his party

Talk about it

Fred kept inviting his uncle even after hearing no. Why do you think he never gave up on Scrooge?

Questions about Fred

Who is Fred in A Christmas Carol?: Fred is Scrooge’s nephew, the son of his late sister Fan. He is cheerful and kind, and he invites Scrooge to Christmas dinner every year.
Does Scrooge ever go to Fred’s Christmas party?: Yes. After the three spirits change him, Scrooge goes to Fred’s house on Christmas Day, and Fred welcomes him warmly.
Why does Fred keep inviting his uncle?: Fred believes Christmas is a time for kindness and forgiveness, and he feels sorry that Scrooge misses out on the fun. He hopes his uncle will change his mind someday.