Charitable Donation as Gift?

[CajunDixie]

Poll coming...

How many of you donate to a charity in honor of someone as their Christmas gift? And did they seem happy with the gift or were they disappointed?

I've checked out a few sites like Victory Junction Gang Camp, St Judes Childrens Hospital and Make-A-Wish and they will either mail the honoree a card or let you print a certificate.


Now for the background on this idea. Last year we sent a gift of $50 to a person by way of a website that has a large selection of gift cards. We thought the person (who has plenty of money, doesn't like clutter/knickknacks, is very picky) would like to pick out a restaurant GC for when they travel to see their daughter. I just found out this person never bothered to pick out a GC (and yes they are computer savvy). So basically I wasted $50 on this person last year and I'm not sure where the money is now. So I thought I'd just make a donation in their honor this year, ensuring the money is actually going somewhere worthy.

 

[olena]

I've never done that before. Many of my gifts this year are mostly tax deductible, since I bought them from a charity.

 

[pearlieq]

I've never been a fan of this as a gift idea. Unless you're very intimately acquainted with someone, you don't know what would appeal to or be offensive to them. Some people only support charities with certain political, religious, or ethical standards and it would take a lot of knowledge/research to make sure you found something appropriate.

Plus, to me, it seems a bit self-serving. I would wonder if someone basically bought themselves a tax write-off and some personal satisfaction and called it my "gift".

I understand it feels like you wasted money last year, but the thing about a true gift is that after it is given you have to let it go. You can't give gifts with strings/conditions on how or even IF they are used. That's the business of the recipient.

 

[bballmom56]

I've been involved with an equine rescue that does wonderful work and have given gift sponsorships to the families that board their horses with me and my boss (I work on a horse farm for a very nice woman who is quite well off). They have always enjoyed and appreciated the gifts, and the boarders even liked it so much that they were going to do it for their horsey friends. Now I might not do that for my SIL, because she just wouldn't appreciate it. You have to know your recipients.

 

[Figment2]

I have asked friends to do this and it doesn't bother me that they get a tax deduction. I have enough stuff.

Cyn

 

[christineann]

Every year I make a contribution to the SPCA in honor of my children's teachers, and they stop the kids in the hall to thank them. The teachers also write thank you notes.

Last year I made a contribution in my boss's honor to his church's mission trip fund. His wife told me he nearly went to pieces over it, and this is not a guy who gets emotional very often. I will do the same for my Christmas gift to him this year.

When I was teaching, my very favorite gift was a contribution to our school's annual fund in my honor.

I don't think it is self serving at all. I think it is a wonderful way to honor someone who would rather see the money go to a good cause (though I guess there are some folks who would rather get "stuff").

 

[RadioNate]

I haven't chosen anything but am watching the poll closely. I think I may do this for my grandmother this year. She has everything she ever wanted and enough $$ to buy all her wants and needs.

 

[Disney Doll]

I did it with my crazy SIL because she never liked the gifts I gave her,
always had a nasty comment to make about them, and so I figured if I was going to spend money, instead of wasting it on something she wouldn't like, I'd donate it to a charity in memory of her late parents and then the money would be better spent.

She pitched a fit. I guess the true meaning of Christmas is lost on this person who claims to be such a devout Catholic. Apparently, in her eyes, a $12.99 sweater from Kohls says "love" more than helping out those less fortunate.

 

[ilovepcot]

I'd consider doing it in some instances: In memory of someone, to honor someone etc. but not as a Christmas gift. To me personally it would be a bit of a disappointment. Would come off to me as someone not wanting to be "bothered" with selecting a gift just for me.

 

[Zurealsoon]

I just found out this person never bothered to pick out a GC (and yes they are computer savvy). So basically I wasted $50 on this person last year and I'm not sure where the money is now. So I thought I'd just make a donation in their honor this year, ensuring the money is actually going somewhere worthy.

If the person was so rude not to use your gift last year, why do you continue to give them a gift?


(I would do something like "Fruit of the month" or "Cake of the month")

 

[christineann]

I think a charitable contribution is an indication that a lot of thought went into the gift, rather than the easy way out, especially if the charity is one that means a lot to the person in whose honor it is given.

 

[pearlieq]

If the person was so rude not to use your gift last year, why do you continue to give them a gift?

See and my point was that it's really none of her business whether or not the gift was used. She gave the gift in the spirit of generosity and what happens to it is only the affair of the recipient.

I would actually find checking up on them to see if the gift was used to be extremely rude.

 

[CajunDixie]

If the person was so rude not to use your gift last year, why do you continue to give them a gift?


(I would do something like "Fruit of the month" or "Cake of the month")

Because this is actually a close relative who thinks of themselves as being rich and gives our family expensive gifts (that we do not ask for). As for Fruit/Cake of the month I cannot afford those prices not to mention I know without a doubt they'd throw the cakes away. The fruit they may eat but most likely they'd just complain about it monthly to the person who informed me the last gift was not used.

 

[ilovepcot]

I think a charitable contribution is an indication that a lot of thought went into the gift, rather than the easy way out, especially if the charity is one that means a lot to the person in whose honor it is given.

I thought that at one time, too....until I saw utter disappointment of the face of a dear friend. I'd given in their name to a dog rescue (they'd gotten their very own dog there!) and was soooo sure they'd be thrilled. NOT! Just goes to show you never know people.

 

[Mandabella]

Why not just donate to the charity? Why do it as a gift?

 

[Cindyluwho]

One of the gals in my office does this for family members. She buys goats through Heifer International in her loved one's name and then they receive a card about the family that rec'd the goat. You can also buy chickens, cows, etc. I would love someone to buy a gift like that in my name, but I wouldn't feel comfortable buying for someone else? Weird, I know.

 

[CajunDixie]

See and my point was that it's really none of her business whether or not the gift was used. She gave the gift in the spirit of generosity and what happens to it is only the affair of the recipient.

I would actually find checking up on them to see if the gift was used to be extremely rude.

FYI I didn't check up on the gift. What is rude is for them to not accept the gift I gave them. That money is now sitting in some companies bank account earning them interest. It's not been "used" for anything. IF they wanted to be so rude as to not accept my gift then they should have refused it, given it to someone else or at least had the decency not to tell everyone they know (behind our backs) how they hoped we wouldn't get them this gift again this year. Personally, I'd love to tell them how rude they are but I'm trying to keep some peace in this family.

 

[christineann]

I contribute to charities other than as gifts, but I have found that those in whose names I have done this love it (as I have when I have been the recipient). I still think it's a great idea: a charity receives the funds, the gift recipient feels honored, and I have given a gift that brings someone joy and provides funds for a good cause.

Like I said earlier, some folks would rather have "stuff". I think you would have to be very careful that you don't do this for someone who would not appreciate it.

 

[pearlieq]

FYI I didn't check up on the gift. What is rude is for them to not accept the gift I gave them. That money is now sitting in some companies bank account earning them interest. It's not been "used" for anything. IF they wanted to be so rude as to not accept my gift then they should have refused it, given it to someone else or at least had the decency not to tell everyone they know (behind our backs) how they hoped we wouldn't get them this gift again this year. Personally, I'd love to tell them how rude they are but I'm trying to keep some peace in this family.

That is rude that they would talk about it behind your back. They sounds like real prizes--I'm sorry you have to deal with them!

 

[Zurealsoon]

I cannot afford those prices not to mention I know without a doubt they'd throw the cakes away. The fruit they may eat but most likely they'd just complain about it monthly to the person who informed me the last gift was not used.

Sounds like a "fun" relative.

Well then I'd do the Homemade Treats routine.,,or the Gift Basket routine. What is their hobby/likes? Do a basket of Bath goodies, or a basket of snacks or cheeses, etc. Or if they garden, a trowel and a selection of Spring Bulbs(Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils)

I'm making wine & cheese baskets for clients this year and bought these darling mini-laundry baskets at Walmart in the Craft section for $1.88!!! The paper shred filler ar only 95 cents...they came out so nice I plan to make some for my elderly relatives (without the wine )who are hard to buy for.