I approve of giving to others less fortunate, but can't help thinking it is a bit presumptous of me to spend money on a worthwhile cause instead of giving a friend or relation a gift. I mean, they might actually prefer to get a gift, but they don't really get a chance to decide do they? (Even if asked, who would be brave enough to say 'No, don't donate money to a poor starving child, give me some soap on a rope instead'.) Meanwhile, I get to feel good about myself, because I've sacrificed their Christmas pressie on their behalf.
I've only once been given one of this type of gift and it was nice, because I hadn't been expecting a gift at all and I appreciated that it was bought with warm intentions. I'm not sure how I'd feel though, if I had nothing at all to place under the tree, so should I dare to assume that my friends and family will be delighted this Christmas to be told I supplied a school in Tanzania with enough pencils to last the year instead of bolstering John Lewis' coffers?
