For those people that have everything, and those who don't.
This is where I shall be doing a lot of my Christmas shopping from.........my Mother in Law will be receiving a goat! Well not her, but someone else on her behalf! ;D
http://www.greatgifts.org/(telf2r552a1v3255b3etadfj)/GiftSelection/home.aspx?ExpandMode=ExpandIndividual
Brilliant site, DP!! Can think of few relatives I'd like to send a toilet too.....But is best way to spend money and get away from commercial goings on. Thanks!
Lottie ;D
What an excellant site unfortunately can think of a few family members who would be disappointed to receive such a pressie - the whole point of Christmas, and the attitude of helping those less fortunate is lost on my family.
They think me and mine are quite mad and their attitude is to look after number 1.
Don't know how I managed to turn out so different, perhaps I'm the runt of the litter ..... Oh no I'm beginning to ramble now!!!!!!!
Anyway my old man and I have decided to buy school uniforms and mosquito nets :)
i certainly like the idea.
oxfam (http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/) run a similar campaign every year. the goat sounds appealing (because i would like to have one myself, but not out of necessity, but as a hobby)
PS: would it be a daft idea if dan put these shopping ideas on the front page as a news item? after all, we ARE interested in growing food and rearing animals, aren't we? :)
Have a cunning plan, Delilah! Well, what I've decided to do, buy several herds of goats for family and friends, you feel good, and the farmers get their goats, family and friends want to be thought of as nice, kind people, so they'll all go " Wow, great idea!" I'm sure they won't say "How dare you give a poorer person in the third world money instead of me a pressie???" What do you think???
Lottie ;D
I think you are absolutely spot on there Lottie, trouble is I'll feel bad cos I'll know that they are not that impressed and they'll know that I know even though nobody actually says as much!!
What i've got to learn to do is not care what they think and just feel good that the farmers have their goats!!
Yes, it's difficult, I agree...But have bitten the bullet and phoned - mum, dad, sis and hubbie, bro and wife! They seemed really keen on the idea! So looks like I'm heading for a herd of goats!! Though I told bro I'd get him a toilet...Ma in Law is completely confused and keeps muttering that she really doesn't have room for a goat..bless her... ::) ::) ::) ;) Good luck!!
Lottie ;D
I must follow your example Lottie - bite the bullet and suffer the fallout, atleast my conscience will be clear in the knowledge that I've helped people less fortunate than myself. :D
Will be thinking of you Delilah! Put crash helmet on and go for it!! I'm sure there won't be any fallout, surely they'd be too embarassed! Let me know how you go, tried with children, but just got blank stare in return.... ::) ;)
Lottie
Delilah why don't you try my ploy? Instead of giving a goat etc tell all your family that's what you want them to give you. Then you get your message across and they get to experience helping someone - who knows, it may be catching?
As Svea has mentioned, Oxfam are doing a very similar scheme.
In fact, you can buy someone an ALLOTMENT as a pressie!! ;D Take a look .......
http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/productitem.aspx?ProductID=OU2536
Great Idea Nathan I will definately do that :D :D
Brilliant Di! ;D
;D ;D ;D
Superb idea...have ordered a goat immediately. Am emailing everyone at work to tell them I am not buying cards this year, have bought a goat instead.
Dont think anyone will be anything other than mildly startled!!
Great ideas in both catalogues Dottie P !  All the kids on my list are gifting 100 school dinners for just £6 !! Go on everyone, just have one less bottle of wine this Christmas, and help make a few kids lives more bearable!
http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/ProductItem.aspx?ProductID=OU2541&CategoryID=3&CategoryName=&BrowseType=price&CategorySelector1:BrowseByPrice=3
I'm on a roll now, I ve decided to bu a school Desk and Chair instead of Christmas Cards (gonna email or text family and friends).
100 school dinners at £6 is perfect for the kiddies - might also get the parents thinking when they have to explain why Auntie Bec has bought schoool dinners instead of a selection box!!
You never know if I carry on like this I won't have much wrapping to do atall, no cards to write so I might be a little less stressed and enjoy the season instead of worrying if I've done everything :) :)
So far Mother in law is getting a goat! ;DÂ Sister in law a fruit tree, friends vitamin A Tablets, and have bought my Mum an Allotment!! ;DÂ ;D
There was an article in the Guardian about the goats, the journalist went to see what was happening with them.
See the article here, interesting reading.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1636487,00.html
Dottie P
Excellant Article - makes me feel very humble
Did me as well Delilah, going to get Teenagers to read it, maybe they won't be so keen to complain their dinner isn't ready.
I picked up the "Oxfam unwrapped" book in their shop today and was really impressed, now especially after reading that article, I think a few people will be getting goats for Christmas! Like it or Lump it!
A couple of weeks ago I told my kids that I wanted chickens for christmas from Oxfam, they thought I was mad!
On the same matter 2 years ago I gave £10 for a Big Issue and sent it to my Dad as his birthday present. He thought more of that than a pair of socks. Charity is for life not just for Christmas!
Just bought 2 more fruit trees for family friends, 100 vitamin A tablets for my Auntie and library books for my bestest pal - nearly finished the Chrissy shopping and not been into a shop yet!!! ;D
Great isn't it! ;D
Hee!
My request was successful and my godchildren have 'given' me a goat! Hopefully it will help a family survive while teaching another pair of anklebiters about Africa.
:)
moonbells
Where are all these goats coming from that everyone is buying? ;D My niece phoned yesterday for a chat and she's not sending cards either as buying a goat for someone or other. It's good though that charity can be catching. Hope this all isn't just this year's fad :-\ Mind you my husband's work haven't been sending cards to each other for about 5 years now and instead support a chosen charity. I think once people make it a habit they won't go back to writing all those cards
I won't Wards!! Have been telling all not to and so far so good!! So far, I've had a can of worms for soil somewhere.. ???, immunized 2 kids and my bro and me have sent each other toilets..... ;D