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

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/12/03/guardian-readers-debate-whether-it039s-selfish-give-charity-beneficiary-gifts-christmas-presents-0/
- Published: 2005-12-03T14:13:37+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

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.”

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You can read the various views at “[Is charity giving selfish?](http://money.guardian.co.uk/personal/story/0,,1655451,00.html)”
at The Guardian.

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