Rather than sink into total despair from all of the poverty in the world I have chosen to make all of my gifts this year in the form of donations to bonafide charities. I have given both the explanation and, to the children at Hanukah, small cash to buy candy bars. I was heartened by the response. Folks young and old read my copies of articles and one youngster replied “I was hoping for a certain game but I am glad you did this instead.” Another response was “You have taught us the true meaning of tzedekah (charity). I think my decision matched my needs to help, however small or large my contributions and I am surprised and delighted at the response.
The Gift of Giving by Anonymous
December 13, 2013 by ElderChicks
4 Responses
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I have done that when it comes to my bosses for years. They don’t need little desk items and such, so i donate in their name to a charity they like.
Your generosity is exemplary, but it takes free choice away from a child when you contribute his/her entire holiday gift to charity without agreement beforehand. What can the child say? Why not healthy snacks instead of candy bars?
My son does not want me to buy him things, so for his birthday I contribute to a charity he likes. My kids both usually make donations on occasions like Mother’s Day and my birthday. I really don’t need anything and they know it.
I think this is a worthwhile idea to consider. One caution: I have found when people do this for us, I then am on that charity’s mailing list and have a hard time getting off. It would help to have it be a charity of my choice, because then I may be already on their mailing list. Clearly, a lot of children, my grandkids included, have more than what they need, so other ideas are always welcome.