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What are the factors that make 'A Christmas Carol' still so popular today?

Themes and ideas that are relevant today.

In a roundabout way, "A Christmas Carol" is still popular today because it has heavily influenced the way we think about Christmas.  The image of Victorian carolers, abundant food, family gatherings, are part of what are idealized in Dickens' story.

The theme of self-reflection, as Scrooge is forced to become by the three spirits, is appropriate for the closing of the year.  Like Scrooge, we are examining the impact we've made on the world throughout the year, and how the world has impacted us.

The them of compassion for those less fortunate (e.g. The Cratchit family) also establishes the custom of giving to others.  The Salvation Army bell ringers are an indirect off-shoot of the Victorian era that still remains.

Above all, Scrooge's turning from commercialism to the true meaning of Christmas serves as a reminder for our own time.

Even in today's society, we still have "Scrooges" that detest the hustle and bustle of the holidays and all is associated with them. Whether it's the rush of last-minute gift buying, the necessary cooking and homemaking that are part of receiving company, or just the abundant happiness that accompanies Christmas, people find many different reasons to become "Scrooges" at this time of year.

The idea of a person being "cranky with Christmas" is universal in appeal, and has remained so since the time of Dickens. Likewise, the turning of a person's heart and feelings around the holidays (like Scrooge's did) has also remained wildly popular. Think for a moment of other holiday specials: The Grinch undergoes a change of heart thanks to Christmas, and so do other characters (like George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life) from stories far younger than Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

This story and its associated effects will continue to stand the test of time, so long as people search for the "spirit" of the holidays. 

Dickens, the master storyteller of his times, was also a shrewd businessman. He capitalzed on all the good will of the season to publish end-of-the-year bestsellers, with contracts booked up in advance. These chronicles were later compiled into an anthology known simply as 'The Christmas Books.'  'A Christmas Carol' remains by far the favourite of this selection, primarily for its strong characterization and universal thematic appeal.

An interesting side glance at the reference below explores Dicken's use of sentimentality for emotional appeal (and perhaps to excess!).

The 1840's, when Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, saw immense social dislocation and turmoil as a by product of the Industrial Revolution.  The development of mass commercial communication during this time is the key reason of how we now conceive Christmas. As an example, Queen Victoria displayed an evergreen tree in honor of her Germanic consort Prince Albert, and immediately the tradition caught on due to improvements in lithography and telegraphy.  From the link below:

Part of the reason winter festivities went global can be found 150 years ago, at the tail end of the Industrial Revolution. It was then that "Christ's Mass" (Cristes maesse in Old English), the church service that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, along with a wealth of other traditions, entered the scientific age of mass communications, transport, and other technologies. 

Dickens, writing at this time, found his works mass produced and these found their way into people's concept of the holiday:

the greatest and most influential of all Christmas books made its first appearance in a crimson and gold binding.

    A Christmas Carol was published by Chapman and Hall on December 19, 1843. By Christmas Eve it had sold six thousand copies, the most successful publication that season. Within two months eight pirated theatrical productions had been staged.

    The genesis of this work of popular genius dates back to around 1840 and Dickens's correspondence with the philanthropist Lord Ashley. Dickens was horrified by the impact on society of the age of machines, notably the appalling conditions endured by children working in coal mines and factories. He started work on the book to make a sledgehammer blow against these evils of the industrial age.

The popularity of the novel endures, as we have had to endure the rigors of the post-industrial or the Information Age, with its own set of rapid changes and social dislocations.

The beauty of perfection of 'A Christmas Carol' lies in its power to undermine what seems to have happened to that which is fundamentally important... as Ben Franklin said... we had better all hang together, or we will all HANG separately. Dickens wrote about what he witnessed. It is true that Charles Dickens wrote novels... it is also true that through his novels he subjected his readers to commentary. Perhaps not conventional history, however a self witnessed history, to an historian this has its own merit. Period novels can never be dismissed as 'complete fiction' for from no fault of their own, most hold 'essence' something the facts are someimes incapable of grasping. 'A Christmas Carol' still 'holds water' because it strikes at the core of what it means to be human. Let's face it, as long as humanity places value on humanity  'A Christmas Carol' will never fall out of favor. 

Well its the theme of giving, and being there for your family and friends.  Its a timeless theme and the movie has a wonderful heart.  There are lots of layers to this movie such as money does not buy happiness, and greed will only leave you alone and miserable.  If are not their for others, no one will be there for you, or miss you when your gone.  Its not just a story that finds it place around Christmas time, but its a life story and can be enjoyed all year round.

Another way in which this novel is still popular today is it's message that anyone can change their situation, outlook, or mentality.  Surely Scrooge is just about as anti-humanist as one can become; he trusts no one, scorns nearly everyone he meets, and looks out only for himself.  He sees no potential in anyone, as he feels no one can benefit him in terms of fulfilling his true needs.  While some of this may be blamed upon his job (what money lender or creditor wouldn't have a difficult time believing in people when he/she spends all day dealing with those who cannot meet their committments and obligations?), he also chooses to view all people as untrustworthy and overly sentimental where no reason for sentiment exists. 

However, even Scrooge can change his life.  No one would expect someone so selfish and negative to become a champion for charity, and a hero for humankind.  Yet Ebeneezer does just this, and it inspires all of us to look into our own lives and begin the reformation of our "inner Scrooges", so to speak.  How can we improve our attitudes?  Are there ways in which we can better the lives of those around us?  What small things can we avoid leaving undone? 

I think the major appeal of this novel is that it presents a message of hope and redemption.  If Scrooge can do it, so can you.  With New Year's just around the corner, many people are already in a mindset of establishing resolutions... perfect timing for a novel such as this!