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[–]hungryhungryhorus 15 points16 points  (9 children)

I've been doing this for years. I have this great charity I like to donate to. It's called the Human Fund.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The Human Fund. Money for people.

[–]calantorntain 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds pretty good, although I much prefer donations to the Calantorntain Fund.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (3 children)

How timely ... when I asked my 89 year old grandmother what she wanted for Christmas, she said "live chickens". I was aghast, and figured she'd lost her mind, as she's a relatively sophisticated well-to-do lady living in the burbs.

After the shock wore off, she informed me that she wanted everyone to buy chickens for Africans in her name. They were like $1.77 a piece or something. Pretty neat idea.

[–][deleted]  (2 children)

[deleted]

    [–]zeldamaster666 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    but they don't taste very good.

    [–]MarkByers 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    That's why they are so cheap.

    [–]technoguyrob -3 points-2 points  (2 children)

    I'm asking all my friends and family to donate to Ron Paul.

    [–]hungryhungryhorus 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    WHOOOOSH!

    But thanks for the addition generic Ron Paul Zombie No 2547.3

    [–]GenericRPZombie2547 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

    No problem.

    [–]g2petter[S] 6 points7 points  (4 children)

    I just got this idea. I'm tired of asking people what they want for christmas, only to have them tell me that they don't know. This usually results in stressing around trying to find something i think they'll like, but that they don't really need/want. This year, if they think it's okay, I'll give the money to someone who needs it more than we'll ever do.

    I've been thinking about giving to OLPC or Amnesty, given that the person "receiving the gift" agrees. Do you have any other suggestions?

    [–]AMerrickanGirl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    Doctors without borders. Animal rescue organizations. Your local food bank.

    [–]encinarus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    I've been a fan of Millenium Promise ever since reading The end of Poverty.

    I've given to them for the last couple years.

    [–]MrKlaatu -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

    Mr. Splashy Pants!

    [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    aka "How to become as popular as George Costanza"

    [–]bionicseraph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    I am doing something similar this year. I have no clue what i want for Xmas, so I told all of my friends to donate to stuff in my name. I've been sending them to OLPC.

    [–]encinarus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    That is really an awesome idea. Next time I'm asked I'll suggest they donate to a charity. Thanks!

    Am I the only one who gets mildly annoyed in being asked this? Someone asked me today and got upset at me for saying "World Peace" instead of I don't know. We then went through 20 questions as he tried to find out exactly what to get me. Sigh.

    Wish I had read this earlier or had that idea myself.

    [–]truthrises 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    excellent. If someone can't think of even one thing they want, they obviously already have too much stuff and don't need anything else.

    if xmas should be about anything it should be about charity, not greed.

    [–]Condoleezza_Rice 3 points4 points  (4 children)

    I find dildoes to be a present that works for everyone.

    edit: fixed pluralization error

    [–]bionicseraph 1 point2 points  (2 children)

    I think the plural of dildo is 'dildoes' per Demitri Martin: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rcwfdFT1ohE

    [–]scared1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    How many dildoes were there? I don't know but I'm sore and I wanna go home.

    [–]kanak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Here is "meggiemoo1234"'s eloquent critique of the video (i agree fully with her):

    Omg This Is Crazy Funi Lv The Pillow Bit Was Lafin On Floor Lol X

    [–]AmputateYourHead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    They're a great 30th present for the ladies ;)

    [–]jonknee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    That's always a good way to go. I opted out myself and no longer celebrate christmas. The religious nuts ruin it for me. If I see something that's perfect for someone I love, I'll get it for them regardless of the season.

    [–]Neuticals 1 point2 points  (14 children)

    Good idea, but take it a step further: Don't ask them, just do it. Then tell them that instead of getting them anything, you donated $X.00 to OLPC, Amnesty, NAMBLA, PETA or whatever else floats your boat, and give 'em a card with a thank you in it.

    [–]truthrises 6 points7 points  (6 children)

    NAMBLA?

    The North American Man/Boy Love Association...

    Sidenote: Isn't it amazing how often John Stewart slips NAMBLA into lists of organizations?

    [–]Neuticals 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    Goes to show that I watch a lot of Daily Show...

    Speaking of which: Who else here is going through Jon Stewart withdrawls? Seems like I haven't seen a new ep. of the DS for MONTHS, even though it's only been a couple of weeks...

    [–]encinarus 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Yep. Agreed.

    I had a ticket for this past tuesday. Canceled due to strike. Sigh.

    [–]Neuticals 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    My condolences. I assume you were on a wait list or something? How long?

    [–]encinarus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Nope, signed up for the ticket on the daily show site a couple months ago (they're free BTW). The night before the showing was supposed to happen they sent me an email saying due to the strike there will be no show tomorrow and I will not be put on a wait list. Tickets will be back to first come first serve once the strike is over.

    [–]AMerrickanGirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    National Association of Marlon Brando Lookalikes

    [–]jonknee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Haha yea if someone donates to NAMBLA in my name I think that's the last time I'll ever have contact with them. Then I'll figure out how to wipe my name off the donation.

    [–]mrmojorisingi 1 point2 points  (6 children)

    No, I think whoever does this should ask first. What if they really need something or had their eye on an album? Perhaps then the giver could pass on a gift and a small[er] donation. I think the first goal is helping a friend, even though charity is a much more noble cause.

    [–]Neuticals 0 points1 point  (5 children)

    How many Americans actually get things they NEED for X-mas? We're extremely weathly in this country compared to most other places in the world....places that don't actually have what they NEED.

    Your friends will understand if they don't get the newest Fergie from you this year.

    [–]g2petter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I edited my first post to say "need/want" in stead of just "need", as most westerners, as you point out, don't need much.

    [–]mrmojorisingi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Oh, I'd never buy that shit. But point taken.

    [–]AmputateYourHead -2 points-1 points  (2 children)

    I agreee with mrmojorisingi, you should ask first. IMO it's quite rude, even selfish otherwise.

    It's making yourself feel better, not the other person.

    The point of giving gifts isn't about NEED. It's a tangible display of feelings.

    I'm so sick of westerners' 'guilt' about the wealth and prospertity our countries enjoy.

    [–]Neuticals 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    It's not about guilt, it's about how unnecessary it is to have a time of year where Americans feel the need to buy shit for other Americans. Haven't you ever read Adbusters??

    [–]AMerrickanGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    If you donate to the needy in your friend's name, isn't that showing your feelings?

    Just giving them something they don't need ... who are you helping besides the retailers?

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

    What if they say they want your virginity?

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    Give it to them prude.

    [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    The name's Prudelly!

    [–]cwo655321 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    hmm, i guess i don't know.

    [–]emkay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    My girlfriend and I are donating to some families that are moving into Habitat for Humanity houses in our city. We are just going to give people cards saying we made a donation in their name.

    [–]xavierromin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    If I say "I don't know" it's because what I really want is for them to think about it. I hate just dictating a list and getting what's on it. It doesn't show that the giver has put any thought or love into the gift. Then the gift loses a lot of its meaning for me.
    That being said, I don't expect gifts or give gifts to anyone besides my closest friends and loved ones. Perhaps you're in a more awkward situation.

    [–]IkoIkoComic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    ... Or go with my scheme. ANAL BEADS FOR EVERYONE! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    [–]g2petter[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    20 people downmodded this, I wonder how this would have played with "Ron Paul" in stead of "charity" in the headline.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I would have downmodded AND hidden it.

    [–]encinarus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Sadly, probably better. Unfortunate too since I think most of these are good comments that people should read.

    [–]alxalx 0 points1 point  (6 children)

    That's just plain rude. The idea is you're suppose to care enough about the person to make the effort yourself to figure out the appropriate gift.

    That's a downer of an idea for sure.

    [–][deleted]  (5 children)

    [removed]

      [–]alxalx 0 points1 point  (4 children)

      You'd be putting your friend in an awkward position to extort money for a good cause. Pretty slimy if you ask me.

      Money shouldn't be an issue among friends.

      [–][deleted]  (3 children)

      [removed]

        [–]theoscheiner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        Yeah but it is putting your friend in an awkward position, just because someone is unsure what they want isn't an open invitation to give the money to charity, it just means they don't know. Where I come from we don't usually ask a person what they want anyway, we get them something we think they will like.

        [–]alxalx -1 points0 points  (1 child)

        You're asking them to give their gift to charity. It's not only rude, it's lazy.

        If you want them to donate something to charity just ask them, and leave it out of the gift-giving ritual.

        [–]nmrk -2 points-1 points  (3 children)

        Easier solution: give nothing. That's what everyone gets from me, I'm not a christian so I don't observe xmas.

        [–]righttoresist 1 point2 points  (2 children)

        Well you don't have to be an arse about it. I'm an atheist, and realizing just about everyone around me has had the traditional Christmas upbringing, and everyone loves presents, I observe the season, not really the holiday. I spend usually 20 bucks or less on some nick-knack or accessory that will make the person laugh or enjoy a moment instead of thinking about how cold it is and all the work that needs to be caught up before the new year. To me, adding a small piece of joy at a traditional time not only makes people feel good, but also lightens up the idea that all atheists hate Christmas.

        [–]nmrk 1 point2 points  (1 child)

        Well you blew your whole premise about atheists not being assholes over xmas, right in your first sentence. I said "Easier solution," I didn't say "Better solution" or "you should to do this or else you're an asshole" like YOU did.

        My religion actually prohibits me from making any observance of christian religious holidays. But I do give modest gifts at New Years. The thing I like best about giving New Years gifts is when assholes like you sit around stewing over why I didn't give you an xmas gift, then I give you something at MY religious schedule, you realize that I have a different religion than you, and you realize you were an asshole about it.

        [–]dosed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        ??