Not everyone is looking forward to the holiday season, but that doesn't necessarily make them a Grinch. Often times, the reasoning behind the lack of holiday spirit is the absence of the loved ones they wish to spend the holidays with or a lack of means to provide for their family.

Military/Military Families

If you have friends or family serving in our nation's armed forces, you know the process and problem that comes with getting these men and women home for the holidays. Those who are deployed often hope to get a phone call home, while those still in the states hope to get permission for leave. Plane tickets don't come cheap. Even though some may get permission to head home, they may not be able to afford the tickets. Most families just want to see each other, nothing more and nothing less.

Business/Retail/Hospitality/Medical/Police Officers

They don't get a break. These jobs require long hours and working on holidays. Those who travel for business have trouble getting home in time to celebrate with their families or even getting home at all. Hospitals and crime don't slow down much during the season either, which mean nurses and doctors and officers can expect to be on call. Some of them don't have a family to go home to and dread spending the season alone.

Poor/Homeless

Some families can't afford to make the season all their kids dream it to be. Often, these kids don't get presents and if they do, it's maybe one or two things they're going to need for the year. This is where toy donations come in. These are so important. Those of us who can afford a feast for Thanksgiving or a tree surrounded by presents, don't really think about how many people wish they could have something like that.

Mental/Physical Illness/Injury

Persons struggling with ADHD, Bipolar disorder, or similar diagnoses have set routines. The whole holiday ordeal can mess with that and cause problems in the following days or in how they react to the change initially. It can also be difficult when large groups of people are around them. The whole season can also cause anxiety and stress for some people.

Those who have recently become physically impaired can look forward to constant questions about what happened and maybe a little harassing as well.

College Students and Single People

Yes, college students love breaks from school and large amounts of food, however, they don't look forward to answering the same questions 3 and 4 times. There's always a similar cluster of questions: What are you majoring in? Do you like your classes? Do you have a job? How's work? Are you seeing anyone? What are your plans for the future?

Also, college students are broke. Don't make them feel like they need to contribute gifts or food. Instead, have them help prepare food, clean, or pick up groceries.

Make sure to cut these people a little slack this season. It's not the holidays they don't look forward to and they don't mean to be salty. Even if you do find a Grinch, a little kindness can go a long way!