Charity donations as Presents

Blisterman

Anyone else think that these charitable donations in a person's name are a really bad present to receive?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not begrudging the charity its money. The only thing is, it's not much of a present, is it?

Sure, the person who gave the present feels good about themselves, for being so benevolent, but the recieving the "present" had no choice, in the matter.
There is absolutely no benefit whatsoever for the person recieving these.

boardinwork

I actually think that it is a really nice gift

WexCan

If it's a charity that the receiver's involved in/close to then great idea. Otherwise I'd say get them something else.

prendy

i dont like it as a gift as it should be the persons own decision wheter to donate or not.

dublinario

For best results, procure a donation for a highly obscure charity e.g., The Knee-high foundation for Retired Circus Midgets

r3nu4l

prendy wrote: »

i dont like it as a gift as it should be the persons own decision wheter to donate or not.

Exactly! I really don't like the idea at all although I realise it's very popular amongst a certain type of people. Not for me thanks.

beans

I'm doing this in conjunction with small token gifts this year. I'm getting everyone a small gift I know they'd like (book, wine, whatever) and supplimenting it with one big charity donation to cover all gift-receivers.

It's to balance slightly all the money that's wasted at this time of year, and all the rubbish that's accumulated. Works for me.

Blisterman

Yes, but it makes YOU feel good. The people who recive the presents, had no choice in the matter.

RobbieTheRobber

What exactly does the person receiving this gift get?

A receipt!

humanji

The Human Fund FTW

Money for people!

nice1franko

yeah its a crap present unless
a) it's what the person asked for
b) they're extremely supportive of that charity AND you can't think of a single book, cd or bottle of wine that they'd like.

seems to me like just a little boast that you gave to charity.

Pighead

Charity presents are the cruellest heartless presents you can buy. Happiness destroyers is all they are.

Pigheads Folks: Alright Pighead we got you a goat for Christmas. Haaaapy Chriistmas oh favourite child of ours.
Pighead: No way, Pighead absolutely loves goats with their coarse shaggy hair and their cute little beards. Best Christmas present ever. Thanks folks. Lets hug. Where is he is he in the garden, can we call him Beardypants?
Pigheads Folks: No he's not in the garden, he's in Africa.
Pighead: What the fcuks he doing in Africa? Did he miss the boat?
Pigheads Folks: He's a charity goat. He'll make you feel special when you realise that he's keeping most of Africa alive with his milk and house building skills. You own half of his right eyeball.
Pighead: To be honest folks thats the last straw. You're a pair of cnuts who care more about the helpless dying brown babies than you do your own 30 year old son. Fcuk you and your stupid charity goat. Pigheads leaving home.

Fast_Mover

I'd like to recieve such an item as a gift.

RxQueen

^^^ lol, pigheads funny

i got one this year from my friend, (i know this as i have already opened half my presents), meh i did ponder why he gave it to me, but then we are helping the less fortunate blah blah blah, also boys are stupid at picking good presents even picking good charites

Nightwish

Its a bit of a cop out of a present to be honest. I would prefer the money to donate as I wish. I wouldnt donate to Trocaire or Concern. I would prefer to donate to Aware or the Irish cancer society. So I definately wouldnt be happy of someone bought a flock of chickens on my behalf for a village in Kenya.

Pighead

Nightwish wrote: »

So I definately wouldnt be happy of someone bought a flock of chickens on my behalf for a village in Kenya.

Apologies to Nightwish. Pighead was reading that "flock of chickens" remark and cackled slyly to himself "Flock of chickens, the big eejit, its a brood of chickens" Looked it up and apparently flock is ok to use as well. Pigheads not cackling slyly anymore. Nightwish 1 Pighead 0.

On a side note a group of baboons is apparently called a "Flange of Baboons".
On topic baboons would be a rubbish charity gift as they don't produce milk.

beans

The little brown babies could give their unwanted Christmas jumpers to the baboons...

The baboons could be used to bitch-slap those who nay-say against the spirit of Christmas charity gifts

I can see the advantages for everyone. Baboonery for the win

Dudess

Crap present idea.

Pherekydes

Blisterman wrote: »

Anyone else think that these charitable donations in a person's name are a really bad present to receive?

Sure, the person who gave the present feels good about themselves, for being so benevolent, but the recieving the "present" had no choice, in the matter.
There is absolutely no benefit whatsoever for the person recieving these.

Completely wrong! My sister asked for one of these. She obviously felt that she had enough of material world goods and asked for the only pressie that would mean something to her. I'm sure she's not the only one.

Blisterman

Well, it is different if you ask for one.
My point is, giving it to people who don't ask for it, is a bad idea, because they are not going to feel any better about themselves, as they had no choice.

Pherekydes

Pighead wrote: »

Pighead: To be honest folks thats the last straw. You're a pair of cnuts who care more about the helpless dying brown babies than you do your own 30 year old son. Fcuk you and your stupid charity goat. Pigheads leaving home.

Pighead's Dad: I told you it would work.

Pighead's Mam: At last! Fcuking 30, though. What did we do wrong?

Pighead's Dad: What did you do wrong, you mean. You should have stopped feeding him, washing his clothes and making his bed when he was 18.

Pherekydes

Blisterman wrote: »

Well, it is different if you ask for one.
My point is, giving it to people who don't ask for it, is a bad idea, because they are not going to feel any better about themselves, as they had no choice.

So it's the same with every fcuking pressie I get every fcuking Christmas, then.

Blisterman

But, at least potentially, you'd get some use out of any other present.

Pherekydes

Blisterman wrote: »

But, at least potentially, you'd get some use out of any other present.

I haven't read ANY of the books other people buy for me and only some of the CDs. The After Shave I use (but hate). Why do people think they can inflict their own tastes on you? Buy me a goat...

justsomebloke

Oh just in case anyone is wondering, you don't have to wait YOU can just donate money. Hell I will even give you 2 that you could start with

ISPCC

or

RNLI

Capt'n Midnight

Pighead wrote: »

On topic baboons would be a rubbish charity gift as they don't produce milk.

well actually , oh why bother
Gelada baboons also eat grass.

Maybe we should tell the IFA, can't possibly be a milk quota limit for them.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

deisemum

nice1franko wrote: »

yeah its a crap present unless
a) it's what the person asked for
b) they're extremely supportive of that charity AND you can't think of a single book, cd or bottle of wine that they'd like.

seems to me like just a little boast that you gave to charity.

Couldn't agree more. I think it's a way for the giver to boast and feel good about themselves. If you're going to give to charity then do so but don't fob it off as a gift to someone else.

I've a number of charities that I donate to and these charities are important to me. I prefer choosing where I donate not someone deciding for me

ergonomics

I think it's a great present and would be happy to retrieve it. I donated to Bóthar on behalf of my boyfriend for Valentine's Day. We had a €20 limit but I still wanted to get him something meaningful. He absolutely loved it and still talks about it now. I'm sorry but I think people who don't appreciate gifts like these are a bit too materialistic. And as for saying there are charities you'd prefer to donate to and some you'd prefer not to, well I'd be happy that the gift given to me is helping out anyone at all.

Lands Leaving

I'd be quite pleased to get that as a present too. Its a nice gesture, better than some deodorant set I'll never use.

Terry

humanji wrote:

The Human Fund FTW

Money for people!

Damn it. I Knew someone would get that in before me.

mickydi

I think it's a great idea if you know the person would be in favour. I'm thinking of doing it for a friend who'll be 50 soon & has said they don't want gifts even tho' they're throwing a bash in a lovely place for everyone to celebrate. It's a great way to help a charity & show appreciateion of the friendship ... I hope. Haven't a clue how much to give ... anyone any ideas what would be appropriate when she said no gifts. Was thinking of 100 -150.

Sarn

It could come in useful when being asked to donate to a cause, although somewhat confusing to the collector.

Chugger: Hi, could I speak to you for a moment about an important cause.

Donation gift receiver: No, I'm good, a charity donation was made in my name as a gift for Christmas already.

Blisterman

ergonomics wrote: »

I'm sorry but I think people who don't appreciate gifts like these are a bit too materialistic.

You're missing my point. It's not that the person wants something for themselves. It's that they're not getting the option to give it to charity, so therefore, they're not going to feel any sense of having done a good deed.
I'd personally feel that the person who gave me that, was just doing it to make themselves feel good.

I'd actually rather be given cash, with a suggestion that I give it to a charity of my choice. At least then, it would have been my choice to give it away rather than spend it on myself, and I'd feel good about myself.

Of course, it's a different story all together, if you know the person well enough to know that that's what they'd really want.

r3nu4l

Pherekydes wrote: »

Completely wrong! My sister asked for one of these. She obviously felt that she had enough of material world goods and asked for the only pressie that would mean something to her. I'm sure she's not the only one.

Yup, she asked you for one and you got her what she wanted, had she asked for a book you would have bought that too. Different story to unwittingly getting some crappy certificate saying charity X got money on your behalf!!

daveirl wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Indeed!

ergonomics wrote: »

I'm sorry but I think people who don't appreciate gifts like these are a bit too materialistic. And as for saying there are charities you'd prefer to donate to and some you'd prefer not to, well I'd be happy that the gift given to me is helping out anyone at all.

Somebody once made a donation on my behalf to PETA because I love animals. What that person didn't know is that I despise PETA and their deceptive tactics! :mad: I thanked her politely but told her that in future she should ask me whom to buy a donation to on my behalf because I would never donate to PETA.

I make my own donations to specific charities every year in July and September. I don't want anyone donating to those charities or other charities on my behalf. If you want to feel good about yourself, donate for yourself, not me. I'd rather not receive anything than a charity donation tbh. It smacks of laziness and unoriginality unless you have made the effort to determine:

1) if the person would appreciate such a gift
2) if they support your charity of choice