Is donating money to charity in another person's name an good gift idea? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chocoholic · 12-25-2006, 04:54 PM

An older aunt of mine recently said that from now on, instead of buying gifts for her nieces and nephews, she would be donating money in our names to charity. I thought this sounded like a great idea and even E-mailed her the names and addresses of several charitable organizations that I support, including the Alzheimer's Association, a local homeless shelter, and Saint Jude's Hospital for Children. We found out the other day that our aunt gave several sizable donations in our names to her local humane society. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against helping needy animals. I just think that if the donation is in MY name then it should go to a charity I support, preferably one that helps children in need. If someone donates money to charity in someone else's name, then shouldn't it go to a charity that person supports?

Hollow · 12-25-2006, 09:04 PM

no. giving away stuff isn't a "gift", and doing it under someone's name who doesn't want to donate is nothing short of taking their money and doing what they want with it.

Janice · 12-25-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

no. giving away stuff isn't a "gift", and doing it under someone's name who doesn't want to donate is nothing short of taking their money and doing what they want with it.

I agree. I think a better idea is for the person to tell their loved ones that instead of buying them gifts...to please donate it to their favorite charity.

Michael [hXc] · 12-25-2006, 11:30 PM

It's not a "gift", it's rude. The only way I can see it as acceptable is if someone says to you "Is it okay if I donate money to a charity in your name? If so, what charity would you prefer?" but to donate money under someone's name and then tell the person what you did, it's rude and shows a lack of respect for that person and their belongings. yes, money is a belonging.

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 12-25-2006, 11:41 PM

I don't think it's necessarily rude to donate the money as a gift, but I do think you should have a say in where the money goes.

tdf4077 · 12-26-2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllIWantIsYourClutch

I don't think it's necessarily rude to donate the money as a gift, but I do think you should have a say in where the money goes.

I agree! My grandmother and aunt both just send me a list of charities they they support, and I choose how much to each as their presents.

James · 12-26-2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I agree. I think a better idea is for the person to tell their loved ones that instead of buying them gifts...to please donate it to their favorite charity.

So do I. Since I could only think of a handful of items I wanted for Christmas I sent my parents a list of several organizations whose missions I strongly support.

Lex Luthor · 12-26-2006, 03:19 AM

My Grandmother was extremely religious and her gift to all of her children and great/grandchildren was sponsoring a child for Christians Children Fund. As a kid I did not really appreciate the sentiment but as I grew older I looked forward to our Christmas dinners where she would update us on all of the children our family sponsored.

My Grandmothers last Christmas was 2 years ago and at that time we sponsored 59 families(one for every child, grand/greatgrandchild). All of our family have continued the tradition and we still sponsor 50 families a year.

It is not something that I would write down on my Christmas list as a gift but I do still believe it is a gift.

Brad Russ · 12-26-2006, 03:29 AM

It depends on the person really. If someone gave to charity in my name as a gift, I'd be as happy as a clam!! Heck, you don't even have to do it in my name for me to be happy. Some people wouldn't care for that though, so it's an individual thing.

Lex Luthor · 12-26-2006, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Mel

I'd be as happy as a clam!!

Why exactally are clams happy anyway? lol

Brad Russ · 12-26-2006, 03:32 AM

One crucial thing I forgot to mention. I'd only like it if they gave it to a good charity. Not one of those charities that gives 5 percent to the actual charity, and 95 percent to the charitie's founder. So, if they checked with me about the charity first, then It would be a good gift.

Brad Russ · 12-26-2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex Luthor

Why exactally are clams happy anyway? lol

Hmmm, I never thought about that. I guess it's because I don't like clams, and so they know I won't be eating them anytime soon. LOL!!

Another reason they might be happy, is because I gave about $100.00 to the save a clam fund of America a couple years ago.

View Poll Results: Is donating to charity in someone else's name a good gift idea?
Yes! It's a wonderful idea.	1	7.14%
Yes, but only if it goes to a charity that person supports.	8	57.14%
No, it's not a good gift idea.	5	35.71%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

12-25-2006, 04:54 PM	#1
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Is donating money to charity in another person's name an good gift idea? An older aunt of mine recently said that from now on, instead of buying gifts for her nieces and nephews, she would be donating money in our names to charity. I thought this sounded like a great idea and even E-mailed her the names and addresses of several charitable organizations that I support, including the Alzheimer's Association, a local homeless shelter, and Saint Jude's Hospital for Children. We found out the other day that our aunt gave several sizable donations in our names to her local humane society. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against helping needy animals. I just think that if the donation is in MY name then it should go to a charity I support, preferably one that helps children in need. If someone donates money to charity in someone else's name, then shouldn't it go to a charity that person supports?

12-26-2006, 03:19 AM	#8
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	My Grandmother was extremely religious and her gift to all of her children and great/grandchildren was sponsoring a child for Christians Children Fund. As a kid I did not really appreciate the sentiment but as I grew older I looked forward to our Christmas dinners where she would update us on all of the children our family sponsored. My Grandmothers last Christmas was 2 years ago and at that time we sponsored 59 families(one for every child, grand/greatgrandchild). All of our family have continued the tradition and we still sponsor 50 families a year. It is not something that I would write down on my Christmas list as a gift but I do still believe it is a gift.
	__________________ I look forward to resuming our verbal judo - Lex Luthor It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white - Lex Luthor Genevieve: "I underestimated you, Lex." Lex: "Well, that’s a common mistake." Lionel Luthor: "We don't need to play games, son." Lex Luthor: "Dad, games are all we got."

12-26-2006, 03:29 AM	#9
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	It depends on the person really. If someone gave to charity in my name as a gift, I'd be as happy as a clam!! Heck, you don't even have to do it in my name for me to be happy. Some people wouldn't care for that though, so it's an individual thing.
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

12-25-2006, 09:04 PM	#2
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	no. giving away stuff isn't a "gift", and doing it under someone's name who doesn't want to donate is nothing short of taking their money and doing what they want with it.

12-25-2006, 11:30 PM	#4
Michael [hXc] dying. Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 29, 2004 Posts: 8,532	It's not a "gift", it's rude. The only way I can see it as acceptable is if someone says to you "Is it okay if I donate money to a charity in your name? If so, what charity would you prefer?" but to donate money under someone's name and then tell the person what you did, it's rude and shows a lack of respect for that person and their belongings. yes, money is a belonging.

12-25-2006, 11:41 PM	#5
AllIWantIsYourClutch peaceout. Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Location: Illinois. Posts: 53,424	I don't think it's necessarily rude to donate the money as a gift, but I do think you should have a say in where the money goes.

12-26-2006, 03:32 AM	#11
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	One crucial thing I forgot to mention. I'd only like it if they gave it to a good charity. Not one of those charities that gives 5 percent to the actual charity, and 95 percent to the charitie's founder. So, if they checked with me about the charity first, then It would be a good gift.