Guardian readers debate whether it's selfish to give charity beneficiary gifts as Christmas presents

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Modern ethics are increasingly tricky. Is it really good to give beneficiary presents to your friends and family at Christmas? Is it just assuaging one's own guilt and likely to disappoint the recipients who had been looking forward to a real, self-indulgent present?

Guardian readers debated this issue in today's Money section's "Personal effects" column. Opinion was, not surprisingly, divided. "It would be a better idea to make it known that YOU would only like to be given charity presents, and provide everyone with a list of websites", argued Isabel Thomas from Oxford. Giving people worthy bits of tat they don't want does more for your ego than it does the charity in question", added Becky Davidson of Leamington Spa.

On the other hand, Rob Greenland of Leeds commented: "I bought presents from Oxfam Unwrapped for all my relatives last year, and am pleased to report that they're all still talking to me". Elizabeth Bennett of Southsea argued that "the reality is that millions live on less than a dollar a day in the developing world. So go ahead and send whacky and useful gifts and take no notice of the selfish peopel who begrudge spending money on those that struggle daily for food and shelter."

You can read the various views at "Is charity giving selfish?" at The Guardian.