This Christmas I decided to choose a charity and donate the money that I would have otherwise spent on Christmas Presents. I would have been buying for my Mom, Dad, 2 Brothers, Aunt and Uncle. In the past I usually spent about $700, so I think I am going to donate about $500. I'm only 19 and this year I'm not working like I have been in the past. I have money saved up and that is the money I am going to donate. However, my mom seems to think I am "taking the fun out of Christmas" she just said to me that Christmas is about buying presents and she is actually upset/pissed that I am doing this. She told me I enjoy nothing and am very negative about Christmas this year. I went on and on and told her that money isn't what Christmas is about, but she just won't get it through her head.
What do you think? Am I in the wrong? Am I being a downer?
2007-12-05 09:45:34 · 9 answers · asked by l* 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
This is what I want to do as well for Christmas ... and I have the same situation you are in. I want to donate because I don't have a lot of money for gifts and shipping. but then I don't want people to get mad that they 'went out and got something' and all I did was donate to charity...
I don't think you are being a downer at all... actually quite the opposite... you are thinking about those in need at this time of the year. Honestly I think it's selfish of them to demand gifts... it's the giving season. That's why I stopped asking for things when I was younger, 1) I will be happy with whatever I get because it's the thought that counts and 2) I never got what I asked for anyway... even if it was something I really really would like... I wanted model ships because I wanted to be an astronaut (eg star trek toys as an 8 year old.. I got stuffed bears instead)
so do it anyway. give to a children's charity or a food bank... something for the needy. or heck... even donate to soldiers families I am sure there is a fund somewhere for those kids...
hope this helps :)
2007-12-05 09:55:40 · answer #1 · answered by maritimegypsy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not that you are wrong in doing this however their are people that feel that you are truly not giving them a gift if you are donating money on their behalf rather you are giving a gift to the family/organization you donated to.
I do think part of Christmas is showing people you appreciate them and by doing this doesn't say that exactly unless they said donate on my behalf and don't get them a gift. I think this a great idea donating in this way when someone passes away or even at a wedding reception in lieu of favors. However I think at Christmas time you should be thinking about your loved ones and have them in mind.
Why not balance the two in donating and buying gifts for people. Perhaps set aside $100 to donate to the organization. Indicate in your card that a donation has made in their name and present them with a gift.
I have seen many times people saying that they did this and got a very bad response from it. Just look at yahoo questions. I am sure you will find someone that has done this and it turn out too well.
Since you have that heart of giving to charites why don't you buy your gifts from places where all profits go to their organization. Breast Cancer Items, Shop at the World Wildlife Foundation, a local wilderness centre, your zoo, a gift shop in a hospital that funds go to patient enhancement, 10,000 villages.
Good luck.
2007-12-05 10:30:44 · answer #2 · answered by Violet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not wrong in no way, shape, or form.
I think your mom has her priorities out of order.
Christmas is about giving not receiving. Just think of all the gifts that your donation is going to give. That could be giving a child a new jacket for the cold winter the he might not have gotten without your help. Your heart is the right place and don't let people get you upset with your decision.
There should be more people like you in the world. I hope you have a very marry Christmas because you will bring a lot of joy to other people one.
2007-12-05 10:04:53 · answer #3 · answered by Jackie Z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes people donate to charities in a person's name and it happens to be a charity that the person doesn't really care about. Like (and i know this is your mom so it wouldn't apply) someone giving a cheque to "ProLife" in the name of a woman who had a secret abortion years before. The best thing to do is to tell your mother that you love her and that you want to start contributing to your community. ASK HER which charity is her favorite and tell her that you are sending a donation as her gift! When you send the money order (NEVER CASH!!), you simply attach a note and say that the donation is a gift and the receipt should be made to: Mrs.wonderful mom, 123 main street ., etc...."
2016-03-14 05:16:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you go to Upliftingkids.org charity for kids, they will send you a cerificate and a tax write off me and my mom donated to them they are a 501c3 nonprofit charity thats there website and there phone number is 1-855-581-9111 before i donated to them I looked them up on the Irs website and boom there they were they are legal, me and my mom donated to them a few months ago we got a certificate sent to us and we also got tshirts, mugs all kinds of great things for donating to them and also our donation was tax deductible since they were a 501c3 nonprofit. There website is full of colors and love and there mission is beautiful check them out go on there website and there commercial is beautifull everything is about the kids. I would donate this charity there cause is great
2013-12-17 21:46:46 · answer #5 · answered by maria 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound a bit self centred in that you can also do this the fun sharing way - I buy foreign aid stuff (like wormeries, latrines, water pumps and goats) in the names of the people I want to give presents to so that they get to share the gift and we have fun when they say "you bought me a what!"
Christmas is about spoiling each other as well as giving - it is a time to be glad to be alive and with people. don't get so earnest that you miss out on the party!
2007-12-06 11:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by morwood_leyland 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are awesome -- I think that what you are doing is admirable, and I think I will challenge everyone who reads your question and reads my answer to donate at least $100 to a charity of their choice too in honor of your question. Your mom evidently doesn't understand the true meaning of Christmas, but you do. YOU ARE THE GREATEST! Thanks for reminding all of us what the holiday is about.
2007-12-05 09:54:24 · answer #7 · answered by Diane B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're not wrong, and you're not a downer. if you truly want to donate that money, then go ahead!!! I think that's a better idea than presents, and I'm sorry that your mom doesn't realize that.
2007-12-05 09:52:08 · answer #8 · answered by love-life 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that your mother of all people would be supportive of this!!! She must just want a gift!!!
I donated $$$ last year (in my Mom's name) to Heifer International. It was perfect.
2007-12-05 09:54:29 · answer #9 · answered by itsallgood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋