What do you think my kids will think of this Xmas gift?

Question

I want to donate money to some local charities, and instead of giving them a gift, I'll get them one of those cards that say "a donation has been made in your name." We're talking about 16 year olds. I just want to do something different this year for a change.

No, I'm not trying to be cruel, but they've been getting everything under the sun for the previous Christmasses and I want to teach them the importance of giving

Answer 1

well, I guess it's a nice gustrue but still, the kids wuold be dissapointed. Why don't you get your kids gifts and ask them give the money they will be using to buy you a gift to charity.

Gifts are apart of christmas when you a kid or no matter how old you are and it would be a bad thing to miss out on it. Charity shouldn't be a surprise or forced and what you're doing sounds as if you're forcing your kids into something. Ask them and see

Answer 2

I would say a better way of doing it would be to tell them that in leiu of them getting other people gifts, that they buy toys to donate to toys for tots, or that they take time to volunteer at a shelter, or food bank.

16 year olds can be selfish, and will likely want to get the gifts of fun stuff, instead of a charitable donation. They just won't see it the same. Giving them the option of helping out, however, might get you favorable results. Or, you could approach it this way-

"I feel like we should help others more than we do, so this is what I propose- we can all take a saturday to help out local orginizations, or we could take the time to adopt and buy stuff for an angel tree family. Or, if neither of those options appeal, I can donate to charity in your name, in lieu of a Christmas present."

Give them an option, though, don't just say, "Tough, you get no present this year." At 16, that's going to cause a LOT of resentment, and embaressment from the kids stand point.

Answer 3

I can appreciate that you want to do something different this year and that you want your kids to appreciate the feeling that comes with giving. I think it's an excellent idea!

However, in the scenario that you proposed the only one giving is YOU. They are not giving, nor are they receiving. How about you split the difference?

Try this: Ask your children what they would like for Christmas, ONE big gift and give them a price range (no more than half of what you would normally spend). They have to give you at least five ideas, so at least you have some "surprise" factor.

Also, purchase for each of them, one small inexpensive gift that has some meaning for them. THAT is the gift you give them EARLY on Christmas Eve, along with a card that explains that a portion of their gift has been left in the form of cash and you will happily take them, on Christmas Eve, to a Toys R Us (or anywhere else that has a depository for toys for underprivileged children).

Encourage them to buy toys for other children and put them in the box. Take a camera along and take photos, put them in a book and start a new tradition. You can't force them to do it, it's only charity if it's given freely!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Here is what my mom (the Ph.D) did for me a few years back...she was concerned I was starting to not be a "Christian" and wasn't into "giving" just "receiving." She was talking about those Salvation Army bell ringer people at malls and department stores. She said it would be a wonderful thing to do. Volunteer a couple Saturdays in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Little did I know she was testing my siblings and I to see what our response was. I did agree to donate my time (I was grounded at the time, so I figured, maybe I will get ungrounded if I'm nice), but my brother didn't. On Christmas day I looked under the tree and my brother's part under the tree was empty except this one envelope containing one of those cards that say "a donation has been made in your name to the Salvation Army for the amount of 200.00".......my side was littered with gift boxes containing clothes and other teenager crap. Later in the morning, my mom and dad got a few presents out to give to my brother so he wouldn't feel bad...but it certainly taught me a lesson of giving back. Maybe you should try that.

Answer 5

I think it would be important to make a donation and to also buy your children something. The last thing an adolescent wants is to be dissapointed on Christmas and if it doesn't go over well then it may make you feel bad. If you get them something but also make a donation in their name to a charity you think might interest them, it'll make them think a little about the value of what they're recieving.

Answer 6

This is really going to be tough....if your kids are used to getting what they want for Christmas and then you say you want to donate to charities in their name this year? Why do you want to do this? I think that children in general need to be kids as long as possible and not grow up so quickly.....if you think that your family has everything..that's great......but make sure you at least give your children somewhat of a significant Christmas present this year...otherwise even though you might be donating to charity in their name...they will think you're off your rocker! Quite honestly, I don't think you should do this....many corporations contribute to these charities and they can afford it. Don't gip your kids from Christmas! Think again!

Answer 7

A few years back my mamma gave somebody in Africa a goat or cow or some such nonsense in my daughter's name. She thought it would be fun to pick out the animal they gave to someone, but a two year old doesn't quite get the concept. I'll refrain from cursing about this, but it is a bad bad idea. The only message this sends is one of your excess and desire to control. If you want to send a positive message spend some time volunteering in some month other than December, and lead by example.

Answer 8

That is a nice gesture, however at their age, I think they will aways remember it.......however, not the way you want them too. I think it would be cruel.
When they are older, yes, of course.
Right now, they are still growing....and need different things at different ages, as you know already.
Make it a Happy Christmas for them and the family. I think it really would take away from it.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year too come!!

Answer 9

I continuously take each little thing out of it particularly is equipment, put in the batteries (if it desires them) and wrap it in a distinctive field. My little ones are small and that they only prefer to be waiting to play with regardless of they have been given. this form they only could unwrap and open the field. Plus once you have distinctive little ones it would not take long for mom and pop's hands to get complete attempting to eliminate all of the secure practices wraps/tags that are around each little piece of the toy. whilst it is composed of the huge fee ticket products I often go away them unwrapped and set up via the Christmas Tree. Like this 12 months we've been given the babies a kitchen play set and a device workshop. they'll all be set up for the babies to ensure out as quickly as they arrive down the stairs. =)

Answer 10

I would probably talk to them about it first unless you plan on giving other gifts as well. They may want to be part of it..and possibly adopt a family. You could all go shopping together for a family in need.