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Christmas, charity – it’s all about me

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 18 Dec 2009

Christmas is always a nervous time for me. I love giving presents, but really, it’s not just about giving is it?

The problem with Christmas is, I’m one of those hard-to-buy for people. The boundaries of my taste are so feint and exact that anyone brave enough to even hazard a guess at a present for me should be rewarded with endless love and appreciation. However, I’m never quite able to able to whip up said love and appreciation. All I can ever manage is poorly concealed disappointment and – depending on how close the person giving the present is to me – a certain level of shock and resentment.

Unsurprisingly, I don’t really get many presents any more these days. Sad face.

I love giving, I really do, but in most giving it’s not quite the same without a gesture of reciprocity.

I’ve signed up again this year for Bupa London 10,000. Following my signing up, I started to get the same present anxiety that I normally reserve for Christmas and birthdays.

Last year I ran for a small charity and was pleasantly surprised to get regular emails, a vest and a t-shirt. The bar, indeed, was raised high.

But this year,  I opted for a larger charity and when ticking the box on which charity to support – while the decision was made entirely on which charity I wanted to support according to its mission – I couldn’t help but wonder, will I get another cool vest?

With relief, the charity delivered. Such a simple gesture, included in a thank you email which also encouraged me to sign up to Virgin Money Giving, tell my friends about the charity and other such, did exactly what it was supposed to. It made me feel appreciated, welcome, part of something bigger than myself and meant I would not have to brave the crowds at Sports Direct.

I decided to fundraise for altruistic reasons, just like I spend weeks picking out the right present for my family and friends without consciously thinking I’ll necessarily get anything back. I am not, on balance, a very bad person.

Charities know to thank their donors and they know that the process of making a donation, for many, is triggered by a complex range of motivations. But just as we spare a thought for the less fortunate and for charity this Christmas, just a reminder - a subtle 'what I want for Christmas note' - that charities should spare a thought for their supporters too. It's all about them.

‘Tis the season for giving for charities too.

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Directory: Virgin Money Giving