Egluntyne Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 (edited) At last...a use for the male of the species!! http://www.sendacowgifts.org.uk/gifts/viewGift.asp?giftID=9 And if you want to donate a flock of chickens..... http://www.savethechildrenshop.co.uk/wish_list/for_the_schools/4/chickens/2 Edited November 27, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 And what a handsome boy he is too. I always give something from Send a Cow each year, and used to get them for my neice and nephew, who have far too many toys, but my sister made it plain that presents like that were just not acceptable Not that the childen ever notice anyway, nor thank me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Not that the childen ever notice anyway, nor thank me Wouldnt bother again then if I were you!! Have just "ordered" a cockerel on behalf of my Mum (thanks again Egluntine - my personal Christmas shopper) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I don't Laura; I wanted them to understand the concept of giving to someone less fortunate than themselves, but it's a concept that they obviously just can't grasp, and neither can my sister... I give them small, ordinary presents now, but make sure that they are eco-friendly and NOT electronic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Vey sad isn't it when some people cant appreciate what they have compared to others Sadly, my Dad doesn't agree with sending money to help third world countries (not that he's mean but he'd rather give to charities "at home") I'm toying with the idea of sending a cow for him just to see the look on his face!! I think the site is fab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Rosie and I help a local charity at Christmas - A local lady called Polly feeds the homeless every evening outside the church near us - she does this with help from charitable donations and food donated by local companies. We bake loads of cookies, cakes and make sarnies and go to help her out every Christmas eve. We don't have much ourselves and aren't church people, but Christmas is a time for giving and being thankful for what you have got. Sorry, let's be more cheerful - must be the weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I tend to use Oxfam Unwrapped for charity gifts so it's good to know of an alternative. I've bought charity gifts for teachers at my son's school/preschool and it makes a change for them from the usual chocs! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I wanted to give my first grandson a cow for his christening present his mother was horrified when I mentioned it to her I was quite upset and debated giving him a toilet in the Sudan instead but in the interest of domestic harmony I caved and gave him an appropriate gift in a box with a bow on it ...sigh Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Some people just don't get the point do they Tessa? We give the teachers homemade goodies for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I looked at doing this for all our families this year, but I too dont think they would get the idea. So I have found a compromise, and I have bought loads fo nice fancy food stuff from the ethical superstore to make food hampers for them. They then have a nice treat of about 20/30 fancy food items each which I will make nice boxes for and I still get to do my bit. They do have ready to go hampers full of the typical xmas fare but I prefer to make up my own, selecting things I know they love, and not just the typical xmas cake, xmas pud, mince pies etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 The grown ups in our family exchange virtual gifts every year. We don't need toileteries, unwearable socks hideous scarves. I buy from the St. Lukes Hospice catalogue. They need £686 per hour of every day just to break even. You can buy an aromatherapy session for a patient. An hour of nursing or medial care. A meal or snack for a relative. Unfortunately the were not able to put their catalogue on line this year otherwise I would post a link. But I'd much rather receive any of the above than a box of chocs. I've lost count of the number of flocks of chickens that I "own" in Africa...it must be six or seven. Last year I was "given" a set of baby weighing scales in Malawi! At work....instead of exchanging cards and presents..... we bought a bicycle for a midwife. This year I think it is going to be a years crops for a farmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Brilliant idea to do it at work Egluntine - I might suggest it here, but being all men they really aren't into that sort of stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 i don't send cards at christmas, I tell everyone that I'm not buying cards (so they're not upset when they don't get one back) and I donate the money to chairty instead- last year it was Oxfam, this year probably the BHWT! For friends and family that have e-mail, I send them an e-card instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I looked at doing this for all our families this year, but I too dont think they would get the idea. So I have found a compromise, and I have bought loads fo nice fancy food stuff from the ethical superstore to make food hampers for them. They then have a nice treat of about 20/30 fancy food items each which I will make nice boxes for and I still get to do my bit. They do have ready to go hampers full of the typical xmas fare but I prefer to make up my own, selecting things I know they love, and not just the typical xmas cake, xmas pud, mince pies etc. very innovative, I like it! There's only so many times i can give Body Shop stuff! would I find the ethical superstore by doing a google? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Here you go http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/ and if you use quidco you get 10% cash back too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Here you go http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/ and if you use quidco you get 10% cash back too! thanks! I just got a mail from river cottage saying they have lovely christmas hampers and home made booze; beer, cider, apple brandy etc so might get some nettle beer (called 'Stinger' of all things!) from RC and maybe some stuff from the ethical superstore, how exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Fantastic idea - I think we will get something for teachers - I think Layla will approve of a cockerel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 We always give teachers a 'present' of a gift from the Oxfam catalogue - usually some blankets and umbrellas for street children in India, and both my father and chookiehubbies father always get a flock of chickens for a family in Africa. Both fathers are of an age when, if they want something, they go and buy themselves it, so they are far more appreciative of something from the Goodgifts catalogue than any Christmas tat that we could possibly find for tor them. Then there is my mother and MIL - they always get something made specially for them by the children - always guarantees tears on Christmas morning..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 At church we have a board to put up a card to everyone, & then we donate money we would have spent on cards to one of the missions we support- this year it will be Asia Link http://www.asialink.org.uk/ My mum asked us yesterday for a virtual gift- problem is we have just brought her & my dad out of the dark ages & bought them a digital camera for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 A woman I used to work with was brought up to pay for her Christmas dinner and has carried on the tradition with her children and grandchildren. Everyone pays according to their income, even the youngest child is expected to raid their piggy bank and give their pocket money. The money is then donated to a worthy cause. I think that is a wonderful idea as all the children are made aware of how fortunate they are and learn to help others less fortunate. When the OM and I got married, it was second time around for both of us and as we had been together for a while we had two of most of the wedding presenty type things. We asked instead for donations to Great Ormond Street Hospital and raised over £600. Bonus with that is that GOSH sent out the thank-you letters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...