Christmas Cards - charity donation instead

[orlieborlie]

A few years ago I was mad busy in work - having to work nights and weekends on the run up to Christmas. Having to do the cards was a job I just couldn't face. I'd seen lots of ads on tv for the homeless and made a decision which I've stuck to every year since. I make a donation to a charity in lieu of sending cards. We send loads, we receive loads and we bin loads! The donation costs more than the cards and postage would but it feels a lot better. Friends and family support this. Any comments?

[JulieB123]

My childrens school tried to bring in the same thing send one card to the whole class and then make a donation, I was so surprised when no one seemed to want to do it they much prefer to see how many cards they can get. I personally do not like them I don't put them up and people think themselves lucky if they get one from me. I am not a barhumbug I love christmas but the cards really annoy me.

[saxy_jag]

Orlieborlie, I think it's an excellent idea.

Guy I used to work with did something similar. He'd worked all over the world and restricted his Christmas cards to those people in far-flung places whom he never saw. Said he saw his work colleagues every day and it was just as easy to actually say 'Happy Christmas' to them. Instead, he just posted one card on the staffroom noticeboard, and one on his classroom noticeboard for the kids he taught.

He would then donate to his chosen charity (a neonatal unit, I think, 'cause of his twin daughters). No one objected at all.

[shaneystar2]

I think it's a brilliant idea. When Mr S was working he would never send cards to colleagues and used to make his views very clear ! He always gave a donation in lieu of cards to cancer research.I think he was the odd one out in his office at the time ! People used to say he was a misery ! I wish more people would do this ..frankly it's a waste of time and money sending cards to all and sundry .It gets to be like a competition as to who can send and receive the most cards .

[Keeprockin]

Nothing wrong with the way your giving to charity,but I'll still send cards. Every one I send though is from a charity shop so in theory,all the money goes to charity. I think some people, especially those who are living alone like a card,something to remind them that people still think about them and care

[blackandtan]

I quite agree but in theory only a percentage of the money you spend on charity cards actually ever gets to the said charity .I wouldn't dream of not sending a card to my nearest and dearest but I think twice about so called "Charity ' cards.When you think of the overheads some of these charities have ....how much of your hard earned cash is actually doing any good . By the time they pay all the hangers on and accountants not much gets to the grass roots.It's a nice feeling to think you are supporting a good cause and call me cynical but I used to give a lot of support to the Lifeboats until I found out that the The Royal National Lifeboat Institute and Charities Official Investment Fund still retain a large number of shares in arms companies.I would rather bung a couple of tins of dog food to my favourite animal charity ....at least I know the animals get fed or make up a box of goodies for an old peoples place round the corner than support something that uses my money in dubious ways.

[smudge]

Same here Keeprockin.

We give a lot to charity, including all our cast offs, so I don't feel too bad about still sending cards.

It's nice to do so & as you say, 'specially to people living alone.

[orlieborlie]

Hi folks, thanks for the comments and sorry I haven't logged on until now - busy partying! Maybe I should give that up and donate the proceeds to charity aswell! I absolutely agree with sending cards to people who are alone in the world and perhaps people who live away. But I don't see any sense in posting a card to someone I'll see in the pub on St Stephen's Day!