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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:
Tinker · 15/12/2006 19:21

I don't hate the fact that I feel like this about it. Think it is fake and all about the giver, not the recipient, the opposite of what a present is for.

tamum · 15/12/2006 19:21

Dammit you're right Tinker

Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:22

I think you have to know the person very well, to both know that they would be happy with not 'getting' a physical gift, and also that the choice of charity 'fits' IYSWIM.

My SIL got me the free school meals and it was smashing. I don't think I would have been as chuffed with some rain forest, or a sposored monkey....no disrespect but neither would do much for me.

tamum · 15/12/2006 19:24

Yes, that's a good point mb (so nice to see you by the way).

Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:26

I have tentativly stuck a toe back in the MN water.

dh's symptoms are under some resonable control , no pain, and only slight nausea, no vomiting. Compared to last weekend it is amazing.

Sam the macmillan nurse today and said that last week I didn't think he would live until Christmas.....she agreed with me.

She is delighted with the progress he has made!

Off to see Santa tomorrow

hoxohoxohoxo · 15/12/2006 19:32

TBH, I would not like it.
I'd prefer anything but it.
I have charities that I agree with and regularly contribute to. I don't want someone making that kind of decision on my behalf.

(and I like wine and chcolates. and gift vouchers. but no sodding donkeys)

tamum · 15/12/2006 19:36
Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:39

He is on two excellent anti emetics, and a fentanyl patch for the pain, the chemo is going well....no side effects to talk about.

We are looking forward to christmas very much, and it looks as if he will be able to enjoy it.....last week he was so ill, it scared me.

We have all sorts of wonderfl things planned, his mates in the RAF have been pulling out all the stops.....don't want to go into detail, but will email you

Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:40

he has to eat 6000 calories a day! The cancer is estimated to be 'taking' 3500.

so it is lard sandwiches, with added lard....or rather cream in everything and chocolate between meals and snacks

DeckTheHallsWithFRAUsOfHolly · 15/12/2006 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

6beetrootsAmilking · 15/12/2006 19:43

my mum gave the kids an owl each a while back - they got a photo as well. they still have the hotos - but the owl only lasted a year - and two of them had the same picutre!!

I want chanel lippy or Nicole fahri myslef!!

6beetrootsAmilking · 15/12/2006 19:43

lard sandwhiches sound so inviting!!

auntymandy · 15/12/2006 19:44

I gave Ds's nursery teachers shool meals and exercise books. They seemed really pleased couple of days later the oxfam website details were posted on all the classroom windows. I felt really good!!!

Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:45

for his pudding tonight he has two mince pies, with brandy butter, and cream!

foxinsocks · 15/12/2006 19:45

my kids like the Oxfam gifts but only in addition to their other plastic tat . I wouldn't get it for someone else though.

glad the nausea drugs are working well on dh mb - so hard to keep your spirits up when you can't keep anything down!

SueW · 15/12/2006 19:47

mb, delighted to hear your news.

Beef dripping - from a good butcher - makes the best sandwiches. (She says, doing WW but with half a pound of beef dripping in the fridge....)

Blandmum · 15/12/2006 19:47

They have taken his drugs right back to basics, and are giving him transdermal patches where possible.

At one time last week he was taking 16 tablets three times a day!

No wonder the poor lad was feeling so sick!

daisy1999 · 15/12/2006 19:50

I think if you want to give to charity that's great but it's a bit of a cheek to give to charity for someone else.

6beetrootsAmilking · 15/12/2006 19:54

Bread and pullet - is that dripping?

tamum · 15/12/2006 20:04

My friend used to make smootheis with bananas cream and sugar for her dd after she'd had nasopharyngeal cancer- she had the same problem of having to get loads of calories into her. It must be lovely to see him able to eat, and I'm so glad about the RAF. He's clearly very much loved by all

Chandra · 15/12/2006 20:11

I really don't mind me getting myself an Alpacca or 25 trees as a gesture from which other would benefit more than me. But I wouldn't give one unless specifically asked for. Now... I don't have a problem with giving someone an adopted penguin, etc IF, and only if, they care about that sort of animal. Which doesn't translate to people:

One of my high school friends became a nun many years ago, I wouldn't dream of giving her an alpaca, no way! she has given her life to charity and doesn't need more sacrifices to be made on her behalf. Last time I met her many years ago, she told me that the highlight of the month was when the nuns put their money together and went to have a chocolate ice cream!

Chandra · 15/12/2006 20:13

I think these gifts are a bit selfish from the point of view of the giver, it's like the gift is actualy saying "I'm such a nice person who care so much about these distant people you don't know that I have bought them a gift with the money I should have spent on you, aren't I'm lovely???" NOT

oxocube · 15/12/2006 20:31

Well I would be v pleased with a goat or a donkey or chickens etc. My friend got a goat (as well as lots of lovely gift vouchers for a fab designer interiors kind of place!!!) for her birthday a few days ago and she was thrilled. She is fairly well off and I guess she was pleased to give something to those who aren't as lucky.

helenhismadwife · 15/12/2006 20:32

I have bought oxfam gifts for dh Uncle and Auntie we only buy them token gifts and usually we get them something that they dont need and they do have everything we bought them the fishing net and some excersise books, they are very keen sailors and we know that they will love it

daisy1999 · 15/12/2006 20:49

I really don't understand this idea at all - if you want to give to charity then do it but to effectively give someone else's present to charity -wtf!
It's cheap and selfish unless they've asked for this.

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