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Christmas

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Original poster

Do you know anyone who WOULD'NT appreciate an Oxfam gift?

127 replies

Spagblogganing · 14/12/2006 12:42

You know, those gifts of goats, medicines etc.

I am wondering whether to send a gift of 25 trees to my aunt and uncle. We never meet up with them, and I don't know them very well...

What do you think?
Anyone brave enough to admit on here that they wouldn't like it as a gift themselves?

OP posts:
morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:10

ME

my father sent me a fecking chicken for a poor person

What about a nice LIPSTICK?

DeckTheHallsWithFRAUsOfHolly · 14/12/2006 21:10

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WhenSantaWentQuietlyMad · 14/12/2006 21:19

Deckthehalls - I can't believe I have put that idea into your head now

How awful for you though, having such a nightmare EMIL. Actually when I first read your post, I must admit I saw the word EVIL, and then "double-taked"

DeckTheHallsWithFRAUsOfHolly · 14/12/2006 21:26

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themulledSNOWMANneredjanitor · 14/12/2006 21:31

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deaconblue · 14/12/2006 21:42

oh God, have bought lots this Christmas so I really hope people will understand what I was trying to do. Have bought BIL a sack of shit which he is sure to find funny, isn't he?

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 22:08

not if he gives you a crate of 12 fine wines

deaconblue · 14/12/2006 22:16

v.unlikely as we're doing pressies for a tenner for adults. Maybe he's got me a sack of the proverb ial too, I'd be most pleased

hulababy · 14/12/2006 22:20

I'd be fine with it, but another who is happy to admit that I would be disappointed if it was my only gift that year.

I have done these previously, for nursery/teachers mainly - but in addition to a material gift as well. I don't really see why my wanting to give to a charity should impact on another person.

hulababy · 14/12/2006 22:22

I don't think they are suitable as the onl;y gift for children particularly. How can a child fully understand. There are, IMO, better ways of introducing charity to children - it doesn't have to be either/or for them.

Tommy · 14/12/2006 22:26

my brother and SIL gave us a goat last year - and gave the envelope to the DSs (who were the 3.11 and 2.4) who thought we were actually getting a goat and had no idea what it was all about.

Agree with the others who have said that you must know whether the person is going to appreciate the thought or not

MrsMaloryTowers · 14/12/2006 22:29

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CouldEquallyHaveBeenAnAardvark · 14/12/2006 23:19

I've been given a cow, a goat, some school dinners and a bee hive in the past.

None of which is cluttering up my house.

And I get to feel saintly in the process.

Perfect bloody present IMO.

helsyslittlehelper · 14/12/2006 23:36

I wouldn't buy one for anyone who hadn't asked for one, and I wouldn't be pleased if someone bought one on my behalf, either.

Katherine · 15/12/2006 10:33

I think they are a great replacment for those useless gifts which you give out of obligation but which are really a waste of resources and money. For example I'm done it for both schools this year as I think the teachers probably get too many chocs, cakes etc. I also think its a great replacemnt for secret santa as most of the stuff that is given is crap. Its also great for the person who has everything. If you really can't think what to get for a person then this is a fab idea but I do think you need to match the charity to the person etc.

Would I like one myself. Well if it was from a friend who I don't see often or a token gesture from someone then yes and it would make me feel good. I'd rather money went to charity then get useless tatt. But from someone close then I'd rather they got me something I'd like for me - God knows there are enough things I'd appreciate that I never buy.

ProfYaffle · 15/12/2006 10:51

Wouldn't bother me to get one but I'm wary about who to buy them for. I bought some school desks for my friend who's a teacher and also very leftie, anti consumerist, active in Greenpeace etc as I knew she'd be OK with it, I also bought her some Fair Trade chocs to open as well.

I once sponsored an orphan monkey for an xp as he was such a bloody nightmare to buy for I decided to spend my money on something worthwhile instead of more objects for him to toss aside in disgust.

expatinscotland · 15/12/2006 11:02

I got a midwife when I had DD2 last year!

I was dead chuffed. What a GREAT idea!

But then again, I'm a leftie who works w/academics.

mrsratty · 15/12/2006 11:07

My SIL acts like a really unmaterialistic earth mother so last christmas many people including myself and even her husband bought her some of these Oxfam gifts. She wasn't very impressed as she would rather have had material gifts and since she has moved back to the UK I also see that she's not an earthmother either!

hana · 15/12/2006 17:35

why are you giving a gift to people you never see and don't know very well?

I don't think giving these charity gifts is a good idea - if you want to give to charity by all means do so, but you don't have to then say it's someones present. Presents for teachers etc bit different as someone else said. Charity giving is a very personal thing - go ahead and do it but don't presume that all recipients would be pleased!

Sobernoel · 15/12/2006 18:01

I did school dinners for the teachers last year and this year I'm 'giving' them text books, but I wouldn't dream of giving these as gifts to children or any close friends unless i absolutely knew they'd be happy with it.

I have a friend who gave goats last year and her whole family has stopped speaking to her! I would be disappointed if it was my only gift tbh, but I'd be too ashamed to make it that obvious!

Years ago, a friend of mine was given an acre of rainforest by her mother - we were all really impressed by that.

yulemoonfiend · 15/12/2006 18:06

I gave one to ds's teacher. She has been vile to him so I felt it was a way of acknowleging her existance, without actually giving her anything IYSWIM. Petty I know but...

helsyslittlehelper · 15/12/2006 19:02

Expat, I could also be classed as a leftie who works with academics, but I still wouldn't want a donkey (or a midwife, or anything else that isn't actually a present) - it's "I'm giving money to charity instead of getting you a present" - so why not just write a card that says that?

Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:13

I had 100 free school meals last year and was delighted.

I don't think that dh's uncle would be as chuffed, but since he spends his working life in developing countries treating people from leprosy for bugger all money, I feel he deserves being 'spoiled' at xmas.

Tinker · 15/12/2006 19:15

I wouldn't want one of these. Ask someone to get one for you by all means but don't assume others will feel so pleased.

tamum · 15/12/2006 19:19

Helsy, that's exactly how I have always seen it too- "I am giving to charity instead of getting you a present". It would be slightly better if at least you could have it as some form of voucher so you could choose the charity. It's also rather fake, it's not as though they do actually spend the money on the thing you buy. If it's any help I do hate the fact that I feel like this about it. Lefty academic or no.

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