A couple of days ago I received two catalogs in the mail. Without looking, and as I do with all catalogs and magazines, I set them on top of the toity to examine on later visits. One was a Bed Bath and Beyond mailer and the other was a Christian Children's Fund gifts catalog.
Upon later inspection, I noticed this:
For the price of an espresso machine, I could buy First-Aid Equipment for One Medical Station in Ukraine.
or for something a little less expensive:
For the price of a jewelry cleaner, I could buy a One Fuel-Efficient Stove for a Family in Ethiopia.
It kinda made me feel ill.
I offered to Kevin the idea this Christmas we could buy useful things for needy people in our friends and families' names instead of buying them stuff. But he said that would be more of a guilt-trip on people.
Readers, what do you think? If someone did that to you, bought a fruit tree in your name for a family in India would you think that was a jab, or no?
Comment away!
Happy 18th Birthday, Alayna!
1 year ago
6 comments:
It can be done, but it's a tightrope not to commit an etiquette faux pas.
Would *I* be offended? No, but I'm a wee bit crunchy like that. :) But not everyone is, and some could well argue that an honorarium - which is what you're proposing - isn't a gift, per se.
If you go ahead with it, I would choose wisely. I wouldn't give a flock of chickens to a family in Kurdistan on behalf of the family PETA member, etc.
If you want to just avoid the commercialism that runs rampant at this time of year, I would handmake small, meaningful gifts. Then separately, you could make an (unannounced to family) donation of whatever monies you saved. That might seem less fingerwaggy.
I WOULD FEEL YOU KNOW THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.. WE ALWAYS TOLD OR KIDS JESUS GOT 3 GIFTS FROM THE WISEMEN WHY SHOULD YOU EXPECT MORE..EVERYTHING IS COMMERCIAL THATS WHY WE GIVE EVERYDAY WHERE NEEDED AND NOT JUST TO ADD TO ALL THE FLESHLY AQUIRED MATERIALISM ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS..SPREAD OUT YOU LOVE ALL YEAR TO FAM AND FRIENDS AND GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.. I DON'T CELEBRATE B-DAYS AND HOLIDAYS IN THE TRADITIONAL MANOR.. CONVENTIONAL WAYS OF SECULARISM.. KINDA BORE ME..NOT.. THEY MAKE ME SICK.. READ C.S. LEWIS'S BOOK THE JOYFUL CHRISTIAN..CHAP CHRISTMAS VRS. X-MAS..
maybe choose people that you know would be accepting of it...personally, i think it's a great idea and would be honored.
Here's an option that my friends and I are going to do...instead of all buying gifts for each other, we are going to do a charity gift. We are going to do it together and then meet for dinner afterwards. So, this way we feel like we all had buy in and celebrated the spirit of Christmas. We all agreed up front, to make sure all were good with the arrangement. That may be an option for you and your friends if you want to invite them to such an arrangement. Basically, I feel like it needs to be agreed upon. Because, some people may really want to give a special gift, and when you reciprocate with a piece of paper that says, "hey, i gave to the poor and needy for you" they may feel a little small at that point.
I had another thought. What if, when asked what you'd like for Christmas, you suggest a donation to said charity? It can open a discussion or not, but it can't be misconstrued as insulting to those who wish to give/receive gifts more traditionally.
I may be projecting - my inlaws are.. um... "high-maintenance" - but I can just see where this would go if I tried it with that certain parties from that side of our family, so I'm approaching it from that angle.
Another thought is to let it be known that you have a pet charity, one that is close to your heart. Then if people choose to make donations in lieu of giving you a gift, they can do so with assurance you will be tickled.
If brought up at Thanksgiving, you could gently sound each member out. Some may have charities they support you knew nothing about. Many people are quiet benefactors. You could then reasonably make a donation "in honor of" or "in gratitude to God for", but it's still an honorarium, not a gift, and the thank you would be due from the charity, not the honoree.
You really have to agree to forego gifts - receiving and giving - with each individual in that situation.
So, I think I'm going to make a donation to the HUMAN FUND in your name, Charlie.
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