Martin B Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 I was just wondering if anybody else would be supporting either : http://www.cowsnthings.co.uk http://www.sendacow.co.uk http://www.greatgifts.org It is a great alternative gift and is there to help those less fortunate than ourselves in Africa and someparts of Southern America. I'm going to be buying 4 chickens instead of selection boxes for my friends. Also a goat for my Grandma and Grandad. There are lots of things to buy. Cows, water, training, school books, goats, seeds, beehives, bulls, sheep, imunissations etc. It's really good, and I do reccomend it. You also get a free card and information on your selected gift, which is great for the person you've bought it for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 What an excellent idea Martin. thanks for the links. I will certainly have a look. How on earth am I gonna wrap a cow though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Hmmmmmm! I'm still not too sure about this alternative gift thing. I prefer to buy a Goat for Africa or a Water tank etc etc as my Christmas present to that cause. I'm really not very sure about doing it instead of a gift for my nearest and dearest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 How on earth am I gonna wrap a cow though Cows are the most expensive thing. 3 chooks on cows n' things are only £5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 Hmmmmmm! I'm still not too sure about this alternative gift thing. I prefer to buy a Goat for Africa or a Water tank etc etc as my Christmas present to that cause. I'm really not very sure about doing it instead of a gift for my nearest and dearest. That's a very good point that you have raised Ginette, it depends really. Would the person you bought it for be appreciative or would they rather have a "real" present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Well done, Martin, and don't forget the wonderful gifts available at Oxfam. They have a great range this year, from toilets & textbooks, to fishing nets & alpacas, and the recipient is given a fridge magnet describing the gift. (If online, please quote ref. 4704, and it goes on our shop figures ) Ginette, I know what you mean, I still give presents to offspring, and Fairtrade consumables (choc, choc, choc, ) to OH & sis in law. But she was delighted with a goat too last year! But, have been delighted to replace the buying "something for the person who has everything" with these items which will be used & not stuffed unused in a cupboard. I suppose that for me it means I'm giving something that I personally would be delighted to receive. A group I belong to gave a toilet in lieu (in loo, geddit!) of spending money on cards to each other last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 The part of the family that gets together on the day all agree to spend less on the group and we all put together to buy a gift via World Vision (which uses the greatgifts catalogue now) This year we are 'buying a bog' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I always give Him Indoors a flock of chickens as a stocking filler. Will get it this year from World Vision Catalogue. He must have about half a dozen now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 We tend to buy Oxfam gifts for my father and grandfather etc. and then a token gift to open on Christmas Day. Nephews and nieces actually still prefer a 'present', but I'm working on them karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 This year I am thinking about doing something similar but closer to home The RNLI have alternative gifts. You can buy equipment for a lifeboat crew......a pair of wellies, lifejackets. fuel for the boats, flares In fact I must get my act together as Christmas is getting too close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I know what you mean Ali, its the 26th November and I haven't bought and wrapped all my pressies yet! I'm normally done by now! Love Christmas but can't bear the 'shopping in December with the crowds' thing Christian x x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 We did Send a Cow and Oxfam last year - some people loved it others didnt. Personally I get cross at buying people pressies that they dont really want (my sister in law wants a chocolate fountain, which will, no doubt, stay in her cupboard with her popcorn maker, smoothie maker, lean grill thing that we have bought her previously...........) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Our Local hospice - St Lukes- has started doing virtual gifts, so I will be buying a few of those. My Dad died there 2 years ago,and I have to say that the care and kindness he received was second to none. He actually said that being there was an experience worth having. I wrote to them and suggested that they might like to do this, as there were countless Sheffielders who were grateful to them and would almost certainly buy. I don't if I was the catalyst for this. but I'd like to think I was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Yesterday we bought an Alpaca from Oxfam - nightmare to get home in the car, his neck was sticking out the sun roof! We are not going to give him to anybody just keep him on our fireplace knowing we have tried to make a difference. My mum is making a donation to a cancer charity as a close relative died of it a couple of months ago & friends at work buy goats instead of christmas cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 friends at work buy goats instead of christmas cards. Yes, but how do you recycle a goat after Christmas? Do they take them in at Boots where they collect the old Christmas cards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 buy goats instead of christmas cards. My uncle who is also a teacher, at his school they bought a teachers desk and a herd of goats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I've used the great gifts one Martin - and also the gifts available through WWF. I will be using both again this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 friends at work buy goats instead of christmas cards. Yes, but how do you recycle a goat after Christmas? Do they take them in at Boots where they collect the old Christmas cards? hee hee *imagining people queued up in boots with loadsa goats * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 It would make a nice change from the queues at the chemist counter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 wonder if the chemist could give you anything for a baaaa'd throat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 You have got to be kidding me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Butt I am not I am really sounding gruff at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Stop. STOP! I can't ake any more... now where did I put that ironing "water" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Ok enough already before we get licked off for bad jokes!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Well done, Martin, and don't forget the wonderful gifts available at Oxfam. They have a great range this year, from toilets & textbooks, to fishing nets & alpacas, and the recipient is given a fridge magnet describing the gift. (If online, please quote ref. 4704, and it goes on our shop figures )Ginette, I know what you mean, I still give presents to offspring, and Fairtrade consumables (choc, choc, choc, ) to OH & sis in law. But she was delighted with a goat too last year! But, have been delighted to replace the buying "something for the person who has everything" with these items which will be used & not stuffed unused in a cupboard. I suppose that for me it means I'm giving something that I personally would be delighted to receive. A group I belong to gave a toilet in lieu (in loo, geddit!) of spending money on cards to each other last year Thank you all for your comments! It's good to be able to discuss things like this here. I think buying a goat, toilet or something instead of sending cards or from a 'group' is an excellent idea and I would be in favour of that. Fortunately I don't have to battle with office politics! As I have a band of about 60 musicians under my directorship, I decided it would be ridiculous to send them all a card personally, so I give a Christmas card, with my thanks for everything they do, to each group. I don't give cards to people I will see over Christmas either, as I can wish them 'Joyeux Noel' in person! There is far too much money spent unnecessarily over Christmas. I hope I don't sound like Scrooge!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
