other people giving you a gift by giving to a charity

[DesignFox]

I gave charity once. I adopted an animal at the Zoo on behalf of a friend because I knew that is something she cares about and would consider to be a great gift.

As for me there aren't really any charities that get me excited.

I thought of another reason I have issue with it you donate to the Charity in my name then I have to deal with them harassing me for more money for the next 3 years.

To the first part- that's an excellent example of when TO donate to charity in a friend's name.

My parents did that for me when I was a child. They adopted a lion at the local zoo. It was something they continued to donate to in my name for years- from the time the zoo got the lion, until the day he died. I got letters and photos from "my" lion four times a year. Being a huge animal lover (especially as a kid), THAT was a wonderful and thoughtful gesture.

As to your last statement- another excellent point that I hadn't considered. Now, I like supporting my local SPCA, so I don't mind all the junk mail I get from them (and when I have extra money, I continue to make donations). But I've been getting it since the day my parents signed up to adopt the lion.

People may not appreciate that if they didn't volunteer to have their gift BE a donation.

[Fryk]

Put me down in the "I think it's crappy" category, for all the reasons already posted.

With this addendum:

If you do that to a child (aside from adopting a zoo animal, which sounds pretty cool), you are a grinch.

[blas87]

I have to agree with Lace and the others. It's just a smug, cruel way to be a grinch.

Donate to charity on your own free will, don't forge it and expect someone to be happy with you about it.

[jackfaire]

(aside from adopting a zoo animal, which sounds pretty cool), .

Yeah at our Zoo the kid (or whomever gets the gift) gets a special day at the zoo with one guest. Involves a special tour with special attention paid to the animal they adopted.

[DesignFox]

Yeah at our Zoo the kid (or whomever gets the gift) gets a special day at the zoo with one guest. Involves a special tour with special attention paid to the animal they adopted.

shit, I'd enjoy that as an adult! I would have been over the moon if my zoo package included THAT as a kid!

[jackfaire]

shit, I'd enjoy that as an adult! I would have been over the moon if my zoo package included THAT as a kid!

Personally I think it's awesome but not my thing my parents got smart they just gave me gift cards to book stores.

[Android Kaeli]

While I think giving to charity is a wonderful idea, I am also of the opinion to not donate to <random charity> as a gift to <random friend or family member>. Honestly, while I think it would be a thoughtful idea for someone to do it if I were to receive such a gift, it would not be something I would be very comfortable with. Why? Because I didn't pick out the charity that this donation in my name was given to and not a <random charity> that I may or may not agree with.


If you're going to do something like this, please ask the person whom you're making a donation to in their name if they want this as a gift and what charity they'd like the donation to go to.

[Dreamstalker]

People may not appreciate that if they didn't volunteer to have their gift BE a donation.

The ex once donated to a right-wing "defenders of our interpretation of the Constitution" political group in my name. He knows my liberal leanings, and knew them then.

I can't get off that damn mailing list. When I moved I had to file a change with the postal service, that's probably how they got my new address.

My dad suggested putting his name/email on a left-wing list as payback.

[tabbyblack13]

I can understand that people though it would be a good idea and it can be if you donate to the right charity. I would donate to an Alzheimer charity in my Grandpa's and Grandma's name because my Grandma suffered from Alzheimer. My Grandpa took care of her during that time. I think it would make him happy that I remembered Grandma and kept her memory alive.

If it is done at the request of the gift "recipient" then it would be a good idea too. I would probably do something similar to this when I get married because I already have a lot of crap and don't need anymore.

It the giver was doing it to show up the recipient then it has gone too far. Donating should be about wanting to give and giving to what a person believes in.

[Arcade Man D]

The ex once donated to a right-wing "defenders of our interpretation of the Constitution" political group in my name. He knows my liberal leanings, and knew them then.

I can't get off that damn mailing list. When I moved I had to file a change with the postal service, that's probably how they got my new address.

My dad suggested putting his name/email on a left-wing list as payback.

This. Unless you know for certain that it's a charity they like, and they don't have a problem with it, it may end up as bad an idea as donating to the LDS in smiley's name.

[Seshat]

My best friend loves feeling rich enough to give money to charity. Since we're both on pensions, that's pretty rare.

She'd love it. But again, it's a case of knowing the person.

[Lace Neil Singer]

It's not so bad the other way round; ie calling all your friends and asking them to donate to charity rather than buy you a present. That way, you're not nixing anyone out of a gift, and you can feel good about donating.

Done this way tho, it just seems to be incredibly mean spirited. Presents don't have to cost a fortune; I bought my family and friends downsized gifts this year and they all were happy with them. A lot of people are cutting back cuz of the recession, but you can cut back without being a meanie.

[draggar]

Personally I would be annoyed BUT it did happen to me once and I didn't mind.

My wife and I did a lot of malinois rescue (pulling from shelters, transport, temperament checks, home checks, fostering, training, etc.). The breeder we got our malinois from made a donation to malinois rescue in our name.

She's never given us a gift before (other than a card) but we did think the donation was nice.

If the recipient is very active with the charity or supports them a lot then I can see it being not as annoying.

[mikoyan29]

someone donated to the "Human Fund" in my name.....

[MergedLoki]

Yea call me a bad person if you want but i'd be annoyed if someone did this 'for' me.

If you want to give to charity, fine, awesome, more power to ya. but do it with your own money of your own free will not with 'gift' money (in theory) set aside for gift purchases.