Office asks for donations in lieu of holiday gifts

[luvestodizz]

My 12 yo DS goes to PT twice a week and wants to buy a gift for his therapists. The office has a sign asking for donations to a soldier in lieu of any holiday gifts. Today there was an update to how much money was raised so far. Is it in poor taste to bring them a gift anyway? I was thinking to bring cookies and chocolates for the office to enjoy. I know my son wants to give the 2 of them a personal gift but now I feel weird about it.

 

[burberryplaid]

I would just give them a card. It's nice that you want to give them a gift but maybe they don't eat sweets...there might be a reason they don't want treats. A card is perfectly acceptable if you can't or don't want to make a donation.

 

[drcmk]

The office has a sign asking for donations to a soldier in lieu of any holiday gifts. . . . Is it in poor taste to bring them a gift anyway?

Probably the office has a policy that the therapists are not allowed to accept gifts and this is their nice way of telling you that. The therapists might get into trouble for accepting gifts. A card or piece of artwork from your child would always be welcome if he wants to make a gesture.

 

[mrsklamc]

I think it's always nice to respect people's requests. I can't tell you how many funerals I've been part of where people request donations in lieu of flowers, people ignore it, and the poor family, who is already grieving, has added to their grief the hassle of dealing with flowers they didn't want. Also, most offices are inundated with junk food and it's hard when you are trying to be healthy to constantly be bombarded with sweets.

 

[r1lissa]

You should respect their wishes, and not provide a gift (cookies are gifts).
Like PP said, your son could make special cards. Then maybe put a few dollars inside, stating it's for the fundraiser.

 

[Justsyd2]

I too would suggest honoring their wishes, and give them each a card, and make a donation.

 

[momxx5]

I can understand your dilema.

Your DS is so kind to what to do/give something special to those who work with him.
I agree....have him draw/color a card for each of the people he wants to give to. He can even "make" them an ornament or picture.
That way he feels like he is giving....which is awesome because that is truly the spirit of the season.

If you want to make a donation that would be nice also and you can explain to DS that is what the office wants to do...to give to others.

Great job on raising a kind thoughtful boy!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I tend to see "gifts" as more of a one on one personal exchange. I really do not see anything wrong with sending in a food item for the staff to share, Parents do this all the time at our school and we are grateful to have something there for a quick snack or or we divide it up. I would not send a gift to anyone in particular but would let my child help make a plate of cookies or send in a bowl of apples.If you support the cause, send in the amount would spend on a gift.

 

[msmama]

I wouldn't consider cookies as a "gift." Especially if it's for the whole office to enjoy. If you were giving them to everyone individually, then that would be different.

Personally, I would probably do cookies AND a small donation.

 

[solfan68]

Personally, I would probably do cookies AND a small donation.

This was my thought exactly. Contribute to their fund, which appears to have meaning for those in the office, and share a few cookies !