Ok, to start with I do feel awkward about this and am willing to be flamed for being an uncharitable cow..but I need to express...
Last week I celebrated my birthday, and, as Facebook invited me to do so, I did one of those things where you nominate a charity to support on your big day. I didn't really know what I was doing, I thought it was a bit of fun and thought it was more to promote awareness than actually raise money, so I picked a charity and thought no more of it. I wasn't expecting anyone to actually donate, or if they did, maybe a quid or so.
Anyway, on the big day I received a notification that a very close friend had made a big donation to this charity. I was quite chuffed but then I read the message "better than vouchers" and I suddenly realised that this mate had made the donation instead of getting me a present.
So here's where the uncharitable cow comes in. I was quite disappointed when I realised I won't be getting a pressie. The thing is, this friend, just a couple of weeks ago, had specifically asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I had said I would quite like some vouchers for a certain shop. I was going to use the vouchers to put towards a big purchase that this friend was aware I was saving up for.
I know it's ungrateful, and I know that the money has gone to a more deserving cause but I can't help feeling short changed. Couldn't this person have made a small donation and given me vouchers of slightly lesser value? Or donate and give me a pressie? Or even ask if I would have preferred this? This person is very well-off, by the way, so money isn't an issue. If nothing else, it also feels a wee bit lazy. So much easier to click a button on the computer than to go out and get a gift that you said you were going to get someone.
This person has regularly donated to charities on my behalf, albeit in much lesser amounts, when I've done sponsored events so I don't really get how they could think I would want them to do what they have done.
I feel shit about my reaction but also quite let down. I'm seeing this person next week for a belated celebration and I don't know how to react.
I know, on one level IABU but I'd like to know how other would feel in the same circumstances.