Do you give donations to charity in honour of your family/friends as Christmas gifts to them?

Now that my entire family is grown and doing well in their lives, there are less material things they want/need as gifts so every year I make donations in their names. Last year I chose a charity that focuses on education for First Nation residents in Canada. This year I'm giving to a local children's hospital that lets you buy stockings and holiday meals for young patients who are in the hospital over the holidays.

Do you do this too? Would you consider it? I find it's a successful way to give without getting caught up in the material madness that is Christmas. Plus people seem much more touched by it than some candle of picture frame they don't really need.

(side note: be sure to research the charity online before deciding to give to it. You want to make sure it's a) legit and b) in line with your morals and beliefs. For example, I choose not to give to any charity with religious undertones because that's not aligned with my own beliefs)

thats a really nice thing you do. when im older id totally consider it

Good point, I guess you need to be of a certain age/financial point...unless you want to borrow your parents' credit cards to donate in their name which kind of defeats the purpose haha

Of course this thread is flopping. Why would ATRL possiblly discuss the concept of giving to others while we could be in some other redundant thread dragging Christina?

Sorry, I'm on mobile and can't write a long paragraph without taking an hour

But take this post as a bump

Thanks Adam - the concept of giving to others in need (at Christmas, but also all year long) is one that's really important to me and at the forefront of how I choose to live my life. I knew a discussion about giving to charity wouldn't be a hit thread or anything, but I thought it would at least get a little more discussion going than this...

Wait, this is actually a good idea. I'm gonna do it this year

It's thoughtful but I only do it on my behalf.

Why's that?

I have never done this, but I think it's a great idea; I have a hard time shopping for things for Christmas (I loathe shopping), and it's even harder for family members that really don't need anything. There are so many charities out there that could use my $25 more than my grandma could use another Olive Garden gift card.

I'll donate when I can afford it. I can't right now though since i have very little money and I need to support myself.

I was thinking about this yesterday, and how much I want to do it later on (still have a young family.) Even just as answer to what I want, I would prefer a donation made in my name to something i support more than some more common gifts.