Giving to charities instead of Gifts for Xmas?

Question

It's only July, but I've decided this year for Christmas I'm going to give to charities instead of presents for people. I may pick up some gifts that give a portion of their proceeds to some charity also. I need some ideas though.

Answer 1

I like to give to St Judes Hospital.....they take care of sick children.

Answer 2

I think I like the idea of asking others to donate to a charity for YOU instead of you doing it for them.  While what you are doing may seem admirable to you, imagine how your family and friends would feel if they spent their time and money getting you a nice gift, and instead of you getting them a gift, you give it to someone else.  It should be their choice if they choose to give to charity, and of course they should have the opportunity to give to the ones they feel passionate about, rather than you just picking one for them.

If you wanted, perhaps you could propose to your family that ALL  of you give a little something to charity instead of gifts to one another, or in addition to.

Answer 3

How about doing this the other way around?  You pick a charity that you have your family and friends donate money in your name instead of gifts for you?

Answer 4

Here's a few ideas:

1. You can consider organizing a fun fair to raise funds for charity by selling food or crafts or setting up games stalls. Proceeds to be donated to 2 or 3 charities of your choice.

2. Gather some friends and colleagues to go to a children's hospital to sing Christmas songs and perform magic shows etc. Bring along your presents plus your check for donation.

3. Gather a few friends to go to the old folks' home to paint or wash or repair gates etc. Bring along Christmas gift baskets for the old folks and donate your checks to the home.

4. Salvation army do collect gifts for the under privileged. Check out their website.

Answer 5

A few of my favorites:

Heifer International -- lets you "choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. " You can, for example, give a sheep or chickens or whatever that will help a family and an entire village. You can create a great card with a photo to advise the gift-receiver of the gift and let them see what has been donated. See them at http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG...

The Village Enterprise Fund  seeks to "break the cycle of poverty in East Africa through training, seed capital and mentoring for income-generating small businesses." Link is: http://www.villageef.org/index.html

And on a much smaller scale, items you can purchase which benefit the non-profits in each gift description can be found at http://www.njcreates.com

Answer 6

thats ncie but the people you know might be dissappointed in you

Answer 7

instead of not giving gifts why don't you donate a little and ask peole to donate instead of giving YOU gifts.