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Christmas

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Original poster

Going to ask DS to give one gift to someone more needy. But who?

43 replies

FrumpyPumpy · 03/10/2010 21:54

Going to start tradition of asking DS (18mth) to choose 1 gift he receives and give it to someone who needs it more than he does. Yes understand this year will close it myself and ask him to agree and come with us to give it. But where shall we give? it might be a couple of days after Christmas.

  • a womens' refuge? Best way to donate as obv sensitive and not exactly in the yellow pages
  • children's ward?
  • sure start centre?
  • other charity?
When he is older he can choose but for first few years he will need help!
OP posts:
Original poster
FrumpyPumpy · 04/10/2010 17:23

Well i'm glad I asked. You're right, need to do this before christmas so others get it at the right time. We will ask him to help us choose a bag of toys and clothes to go to a charity.

Can I just say that if he was crying or unwilling if course I would not force him to do it! Thanks for your responses.

OP posts:
CostOfABabysitter · 04/10/2010 17:33

I like the way you laugh at you giving away your own gifts - I hope you choose a proper gift as opposed to the preserved fruits ie the book you've been wanting, or a lovely photo frame, or even a nice scarf.

"I will give one of mine but truly stuff like size 32 pants and preserved fruits are not so in demand, and do think christmas is more about children and all that."

I think you should have a sort out before hristmas of toys that ds doesn't play with any more and then get him to select one of those to give - maybe to the childrens ward at the local hospital, and of course get rid of the rest - I don't think you should make him choose one of the new gifts - I'd be put out if I'd selected a lovely gift for a friends dc to find out it had been given to someone less fortunate - that's my choice and I can give my own money to the less fortunate,

Tippychoocks · 04/10/2010 17:41

We "make room" before Christmas and take stuff to the charity shop and that can be fraught with a 4yo. She doesn't mind giving but gets worried that precious things may be given away, she's only now understanding that it is outgrown stuff and baby toys we're taking, not her things. I think to do it to a smaller child with a new gift is not a good plan.

Why not buy something with him and in future years ask him for some pocket money towards it?

potplant · 04/10/2010 18:14

How would you feel if he chose a big present ie his new bike rather than something smaller? It's great that you want to teach him how lucky he is but there are other ways.

Original poster
FrumpyPumpy · 04/10/2010 19:29

Costofababysitter - that was a flippant comment, if you see my later post you will see I have listened to all comments and taken them on board. I have said I will do clear out before Christmas as suggested. I appreciate all the sugestions.

OP posts:
Tippychoocks · 05/10/2010 12:15

Great name TrickyWoo. If I could be bothered I think I'd change to FlopBott Grin

mumeeee · 05/10/2010 12:35

I would buy something sprcially for this. It might offend someone who has given a gift Also then the person/child the gift is for gets it for Christmas and not afterwards..

prozacfairy · 06/10/2010 06:30

My local Asda have a trolley for new toy donations in their customer service area every year and I'm going to take DD (3) to choose something to give.

I wouldn't ever make her give up a present she had got that christmas, doesn't seem fair on her or the gift giver, though it is a nice thought.

Planning on having a huge sort out of her toys after christmas and give any that are unplayed with or to babyish to a refuge/the childrens ward. You could do that with your DS OP. Kill two birds with one stone.

prozacfairy · 06/10/2010 06:35

See you already thought of it OP {smile] I can't wait to get rid of a load of stuff cluttering up my tiny house.

mummytime · 06/10/2010 06:42

Our local radio station does a charity Christmas present thing (and easter eggs at Easter) some of those go to refuges, and are probably the best way to get them there.

itsstillgood · 06/10/2010 13:28

As everyone has already said
Good intentions, bad idea

We do this every year - each dc packs a box for a child of their age/gender
www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

cestlavie · 06/10/2010 13:38

We've been doing something similar since DD was about a year. More accurately, DD and I go and buy toys to give away in early/ mid December - that is surprisingly painful in itself for her actually (choosing lovely toys in a shop and then not having them!)

We have given to the local women's refuge but the only difficulty with that is that they obviously don't tell you where it is so the toys are just collected from your house. I'd rather DD sees where the toys are going so for the last couple of years we've taken them to a homeless project - basically a centre where 'homeless families' bring their children to play in safe and warm surroundings. That way DD can see exactly how much more the kids need those toys than her.

I would add though, with the best will in the world and despite her being a very sweet and kind kid, DD (5) still doesn't really get that the kids need the toys more than her... ("But daddy, maybe I can just have one of the toys? They don't need allllll of them...)

atswimtwolengths · 09/10/2010 20:24

My son (then 2)ended up in casualty one Christmas afternoon (huge family trip there - he had broken his arm, I went with him (obviously), my daughter then aged 4 came because she loves hospitals and then my OH came too because he didn't want to stay with his mum and dad, who were visiting.)

When they were there, they were each given a Christmas gift - a toy dinosaur - and really loved them.

For the next few years, we'd go out in the week before Christmas and buy a gift for a child who was visiting casualty on Christmas Day - we'd take it to the hospital just before Christmas. They loved doing this and would choose books they loved or a toy they'd liked playing with.

I really, REALLY think you shouldn't be asking him to give away gifts he's been given, though.

Forfooksake · 02/11/2010 16:00

Have you seen the Christmas shoebox appeal, it really is a great idea:
www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/
Your son can do this before Christmas with old/unwanted gifts and then he doesn't have to give away anything he gets this year. I agree that's a bit harsh. :)

allthreerolledintoone · 02/11/2010 23:18

At my son's school this year we are donating to the shoe box appeal with samaritan's. Basically you fill a shoe box with small items and choose whether its for a boy or girl and which age group. You then pay a £2.50 donation which transports it to which ever country.Ds is 6 this year and i really want him to be more aware so he's choosing the what items, and who its going to etc. I may even get him to wite a ard. What thinking whether we could supply our address in case they are able to write back but im not sure this is allowed Hmm

savoycabbage · 02/11/2010 23:28

You should do the same as Cestlavie and then you should choose one of your own presents from Christmas to give away.

You are bound to get a tin of biscuits or a voucher or some perfume. And your dh might get some vouchers too or some clothes. Then your son can see that you do this each time and then may want to do the same when he is a little older.

What does your dh usually get for you?

DreamTeamGirl · 02/11/2010 23:40

Doesnt Nigella do this?
Make her children give away ALL their presents. Horrid idea, just dont buy them for them... I just find it a bit showy and 'look at how kind we are'- although I totally appreciate that wasnt YOUR intention OP

Here a link to [[http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/382511-nigella-i-made-kids-give-away-presents Nigella} being horribly smug Hmm

LaurieScaryCake · 02/11/2010 23:43

Just make sure Father Christmas buys two of the same gift for DS.

It's bloody easy and will accomplish exactly what you're trying to do.

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