They Don't Want A Present! Now What Can I Do?
Oh no what will I do?
I have had both sisters and parents tell me that they don't need a present this year. Just be home for Christmas. You and your family will be good enough for us. Having someone in other states can make the mailing process a bit hard as well. And you can only send gift card so many times. Though it is a good idea some times to use. Where I am going with this you ask? This is a way to give a gift that others will appreciate. And to do it in the names of the ones the gift is going to.
ASPCA - Under Squidoo this was an option for any payments that came in.
Growing up there was a local SPCA less than a mile from our home. Our family had sprung many animals from this location. In fact I had gone in once and there were several cats staring at me. I said, "Who want to come home with me?" One orange tiger cat answered. His name was Burton and was my second cat.
Second we had a tendency to go over and walk the dogs just to give them some time of movement.
Third one time while doing this I heard someone say that their computer was not shutting down. By the time I'd finished it was running better than it had in a long time.
So where am I going with this? One year we did gift donation to three different locations in different states as gifts for family members. These gifts were in the names of the family members that the gift was for.
Your Local Library
Its not just for checking out books anymore.
Its interesting my job has moved me to several different location. And each one has a library within walking distance. Hmm read much. Needless to say when we clear out books that no one is reading it is hard to decide which one will get the donation.
These days they will take:
- Books
- Movies
- Music
- Magazines
- Software
Now not everything that gets donated will end up on the racks. Some of its sold to raise money for the library to buy new items. I know as I tend to check these locations on a regular basis. I tend to look for the music. One CD for $.50 that's a bargain.
But they will also take cash and this too can be in the form of a gift. With that said feel free to call your local library and find out. Or if the relative is in another location Google the library and give them a call.
You can then send a card letting someone know that a donations made to their favorite library. And that you were thinking of them when you did so.
Don't let your cash become a museum piece
You can donate it to a museum instead
Some people think that the only thing you can donate to the museum is old stuff. That is incorrect. Some museums will charge to take the tour some will not. But either way they still have operating expenses. So any donation of items or cash is always useful. And yes you can make the donation in someones name. It helps out the museum and it lets someone know that a place they enjoy has been funded a little bit more.
It is more blessed to give than to receive. - Acts 20:35
Your Local Zoo
When your sister meets her husband at a zoo you may ask your self, "So what kind of a big ape is he?" Sorry brother-In-Law I had to say it. OK so I am not sorry. Ba ha ha. When you go there you can sometimes put in a quarter and get food to feed the animals. This can seam small sometimes but it can also be a big help. You see the zoo has to pay for food. And you feeding the animals will help. Also doing a donation will help them to continue on.
Last year I called in to the zoo and the person answering the phone knew my sister and brother-in-law. She said when the call was over she would be letting them know that i had called. Its hard to surprise someone like this. But at the same point its also good to know that my family is recognized. In a good way that is.
This picture sent to my by my sister the zoo keeper.
Simon and Garfunkel - At the Zoo
How about a local radio station.
There are different types of radio stations out there and I don't just mean the type of music that's played. There are public radio stations that are listener supported. There are also Christian stations that are listener supported. This depends on the type of music you listen to. Some of these stations are local and some of there are world wide. Some are on the radio only and others stream on the internet. For the ones that use the internet it helps families stay together. Especially for those that are in different parts of the world. They can listen to the same songs at the same time.
So you can make a gift donation to one of these listener supported stations. It's a great way to send a gift to someone overseas.
