WWYD? Would you be offended?

[PonyPals]

Our neighbours across the street have 3 young kids and I think they are really struggling financially. The last couple of months there has been a soup van from Salvation Army outside their house.
I don't know them very well as they seem to keep to themselves but with Christmas coming I was thinking of wrapping up some presents and putting them by their door.
I bought 6 presents (2 each), wrapped them and put a sticky note describing what was inside so that the parents can decide who gets what.
It is now midnight (Australia) and I am thinking of sneaking across. My Dh thinks that it's not a good idea and they could be really offended.
WWYD?
I am not leaving my name, it is anonymous. Would you be offended?

If more of us did this the country would be a lot better.

Beautiful and in the true Christmas spirit! I live in an area where there is a lot of poverty and a few people have already had parcels left on their doorsteps, bags of food, fruit baskets, presents etc - I don't know if people have been specifically chosen to get these gifts or if it's a random thing but it's just magical.

I think that's a lovely idea. I would do that. When we were really hard up and struggling with a toddler and a baby, someone anonymously left a big box of groceries on our doorstep, it was a lovely thing to find when I got back from work at 2am.

I think it's a great idea..!!
I donated something to Salvation Army yesterday and I was so pleased to see a room bursting to the brim with gifts that had been donated.

That is the best, most in the real spirit of Xmas thing I have seen on MN this year. You are a modern day Good King Wenceslas! Hooray for PonyPals

If they are volunteers then they can give the gifts to families who need them.

Those who would be offended/upset, have you actually really struggled?

Cos there are a few posts on here from people who have experienced things like this and they say it is welcome.

I get occasional unexpected gifts and I am always grateful for them. Although have never had the surprise secret santa in this way.

It's an absolutely lovely thing to do and it made me cry reading it! They'll love it. How thoughtful you are!

Exactly Elsa! Hooray! There is common sense and goodness in the world, this thread proves it.

Now I feel it's Xmas

What a wonderful gesture. I would risk potentially causing offence for the opportunity to perform a random act of kindness. In fact OP, if you are worried you'll upset them why not write the phrase "random act of kindness". It's a real movement that offers something to others without assuming need.

I think it would be a nice gesture

This happened to a friend of mine last year (he and his wife also live in Australia, funnily enough.). They were really struggling and weren't offended at all to find some anonymous gifts for their children and some basic groceries. It made a real difference to them, and they were really grateful.

Well done OP, Merry Christmas

If they are struggling and feel embarrassed that this has been seen, hopefully when the kids open the presents they'll also release there's love and kindness out there.

If they are volunteers they may feel a bit that it was misinterpreted but can pass the presents on and should definitely appreciate the love.

I think too often we don't do nice things for fear of misinterpretation

Lovely, absolutely lovely.

I think it's lovely OP. No matter how uncomfortable a parent might be at the thought of charity, if they are really struggling - and it sounds like they are - the upshot of being able to hand their child(ren) something nice for Christmas would override that. :)

Those who would be offended/upset, have you actually really struggled?

Yes. And I did my best to keep up appearances. I would have been really upset if something had happened which made me think my neighbours thought of us as the paupers down the road.

I didn't see she done it and wouldn't have posted if I realised she had because it's pointless. But I think most people would be upset if they thought their neighbours were noticing their problems.

It's a whole privacy issue. If it was me I would just have said I had some extra presents I couldn't return and would their kids like them.

I think it's a lovely idea, can't see any potential for offence at all. We do it for the neighbours kids on our street (and vice versa, of course) just because it's Christmas, not because any of the kids actually need any more presents...

I think it's a lovely idea so don't worry

A Nice bit of festive cheer never goes amiss in my book. Good job OP.
and for you!

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt 6; 3-4)

Oh bless you, you're a true Christmas Angel.

I think it's an absolutely lovely thing to do. Even if they have managed to get a few things for their kids already, just think how magical it will be to find these extra mysterious packages. It's a fact many people are really struggling these days just to make ends meet, it's not shameful to sometimes need and receive the kindness of strangers.

OP we have been in this position in the past, I would have been embarrassed but also massively grateful.

Yes. And I did my best to keep up appearances. I would have been really upset if something had happened which made me think my neighbours thought of us as the paupers down the road... But I think most people would be upset if they thought their neighbours were noticing their problems.

Maybe is depends on your beginnings if you would be upset or not? I was brought up on a poor estate where not having was not shameful. People helped people, it was a real community. However, now I live a much more middle class lifestyle with my very middle class husband, he would take real offense, I wouldn't. I would be thankful. Although, I think not knowing who it was from would make me uncomfortable. I would prefer if someone knocked on and said "I hope you don't mind, but we have bought some gifts for the littles ones, in the spirit of Christmas. This is what is in them, do with them as you wish". Then I wouldn't worry where they were from.

It's Christmas, is it not? Why would they be offended?

One thing is for sure - the kids when they receive their presents would be a million miles from being offended.