If you’re anything like my family, you’ve given up buying holiday presents for the adults. Rather than searching for novelties and decorative baubles (which my brother-in-law refers to as “dust collectors”), we just give money to charity instead.
Actually, as it turns out, a lot of you are JUST like my family. The American Cancer Society recently did a survey of over 1,000 adults about their holiday plans. Key findings include:
- “This year, nearly half of adult consumers are at least somewhat likely to change conventional gifting traditions by asking for or giving a donation in lieu of birthday or holiday gifts.
- “Women may be more charitable than men, at least when it comes to asking for a donation in lieu of a gift this holiday season. The survey showed that almost 50 percent of women are very or somewhat likely to ask for a donation in lieu of a holiday gift, compared to less than 40 percent of men.
- “Giving to health causes, like the American Cancer Society, is among the top causes on wish lists this year. Of those women who would prefer a donation in lieu of a birthday or holiday gift, they would most likely prefer a donation in support of a children’s cause (no. 1) or health cause (no. 2).
- “Finally, the survey predicts that the average donation in lieu of a gift this holiday season will be just above $50, an amount that can make a significant impact.”
Why do you think this trend is growing? Is it because of the recession? Because charities are doing a better job of asking for gifts? Because we’ve seen this behavior modeled and it’s just finally catching on? Because of the mainstream attention to philanthropy, including this summer’s brief TV series “The Philanthropist” or “Giving” sections in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times?
If you’re looking to give donations instead of dust collectors, try some of these gift ideas.
And from Nathaniel Whittemore and Change.org, Three Great Ideas for Good Holiday Shopping
Tags: charity, donor survey, holiday giving, philanthropy
