I was inspired to post this based on the thread about getting "scammed" and also the approaching Holiday gift giving season. This is just an idea that my husband and I have implemented in case it is a useful idea to others.

Background - we are in our 40's, and no kids. We consider ourselves blessed to have adequate means to support ourselves, and either save for what we *want* next, or do without.

Several years ago we realized that our basement gets fuller every year with well intentioned Holiday gifts that...well...end up in the basement.

A few years ago, we started urging close family members to give whatever they might spend on a gift for us to their favorite charity. Of course this notion required sensitivity - we couldn't exactly say things like "that ugly tie ends up in the basement anyway" LOL. We just think that those family $$ add up - obligatory $15 or $20 basement additions v. the power of multiples of $15 or $20 making a bigger difference in a local community - ours or someone else's.

We have expanded this idea over the last couple of years with very touching results. As an example, last year one of my nieces who was a senior in HS at the time drew my name for the annual family gift exchange. Of course she contacted me to say "what's on your list?" I think initially she was a bit put off by my notion that she donate that $$ to a charity. By the time the family gathering rolled around, I got a very touching letter from her in a little gift bag, telling me how she supported two different charity activities that her friends were involved in with the "budget" for my gift. Her letter had me in tears - and there is nothing - I mean nothing - she could have *spent* on a gift for me that would ever mean more.

Just thought I would share this idea in case other people are wondering what to do with all the holiday stuff that ends up in the basement. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Beth

Good idea, Beth, for maybe helping needy dogs with money we would otherwise waste on stupid "gift" items.

I have "adopted" a couple of unadoptable dogs being supported in their final years by a local shelter, in the names of relatives and friends whose tastes and concerns I know are similar to my own. By that I just mean contributing to the maintenance of a dog whose health requirements are costly but whose quality of life in his declining years is still good.

Like most shelters, they are strapped for cash and have to choose and weigh all the time between dogs whose health needs are just too much to manage or who are so old that a younger dog has priority. This all makes sense, of course, but if I can help with maintenance for a senior dog who has quality of life and enjoys his time with a foster family but whose regular vet needs (diabetes, etc.) are more than the shelter and the foster person can handle........ it's a good gift, IMO. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

P.S. For non-local orgs, the charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator, etc., are, IMO, the first place to turn for info. The direct mailings can break your heart, but I want to be assured of where the $$ is really going and how top-heavy a certain organization really is. I'm often surprised at which ones are and which ones are not worthy of our hard-earned bucks. A few of the ones we hear of every day and might think of first when we think "charity" are the last ones on my list because of their financial information about how much of my dollar gets to the actual needy individual (dog or human) or situation.

What a great idea. Kudos to doing something for others! Connie, I love the idea of giving money to a shelter. You inspired me to go to my local shelter and see what's what and how I can help <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> .

great idea,
Last June my mother in Law passed away from ovarian cancer,she was 62 (young) .The family had asked for friends and family NOT to send flowers and cards.Instead send the money they would have spend (on flowers etc...)to the Cancer research institute.I thought that was such a great idea.Flowers and gifts are nice but donating the money instead to good cause like to the shelters , medical research institutes ,etc..will make such a difference in finding a cure and making a difference in the world.I agree with you all it is a wonderful idea.Our children at Christmas time are asked to give back one toy(however many they want) out of the bunch they receive and we donate it to the Childrens abuse Center here in Vegas, we want our children to understand what the meaning of giving really means and that it is needed in many different ways.We can't donate to all the causes out there but giving a little is better than not.We have done that for the past 4 years now and will continue.I hope everyone donates this holiday and make a difference, it may not be today but it will in the long run.Best wishes........

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......I love the idea of giving money to a shelter. You inspired me to go to my local shelter and see what's what and how I can help <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> .

Last holiday season I found out that the local shelters had "wish lists" (official or not), and our training club brought a big ol' carton of stuff instead of a check.

If you have any doubts about how the money is spent or if you want it spent a certain way, then this is a good way to do it. (It's fun, too.)

We brought vet supplies (they had a list), office supplies, and mainly treats, food, toys, kennel mats and towels, and collars.

A member of our club who lives in a different county did a grass-roots drive for gift cards to animal-supply stores for the shelter near him.

Volunteering at the shelter is a great gift, too, as is bringing in a plate of cookies or candy or something for the volunteers. They deserve all the appreciation they can get, believe me. It's a physically demanding, dirty, hard, and often heart-breaking job.

I like my presents.
For someone like me a good idea would be if I get a present that I can not use then I will drop it off at the goodwill store.

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I like my presents.
For someone like me a good idea would be if I get a present that I can not use then I will drop it off at the goodwill store.

<img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I like my presents too! Hmmmm. My ideas are all about the presents for OTHER people being donations instead. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

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I like my presents.
For someone like me a good idea would be if I get a present that I can not use then I will drop it off at the goodwill store.

You are much wiser about your presents than I am LOL!! If "auntie so-and-so" gave it to me, or "dad-gave-it-to-me" I have a bigger issue with giving it away v. putting it in my basement until I forget who gave it to me. (and BTW, I forget those details a whole lot faster these days than I used to!!)

Thanks to everyone for a warm reception to this notion. One of the "gift recipients" on my list last year was an Airedale rescue organization in Florida - my brother adopted one from them and that was his choice of a charity to donate to.

I hope that sharing this concept gives many people some fun for the holiday season, and shares good will for pets and people all over the place!!

Beth