I’m celebrating my birthday and considering to ask for donations instead of gifts. Good or bad idea?

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Who is still giving out birthday presents to 20+ year olds?

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I guess when you get to a certain age the point of the party is to spend time with friends. People might bring something to eat or drink if it’s at someone’s place, but normally the gift is their time.

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I understand the sentiment but find it awkward and like I’m forced to donate on your behalf rather than freely choose a gift with my $.

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I’d just go with “No gifts. Seriously! I mean it. If you insist, here’s a great charity I support” but don’t set up a page where you know if they donated or not.

likesmarthelpful

How old are you?
I stopped getting gifts from everyone but my SO when I hit 18 pretty much

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If it’s a cause that’s not divisive and everyone will be okay giving money to, sure.

Like I’d avoid asking for money for a political cause, but something (usually) noncontroversial like St. Judes or an animal shelter should be fine.

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It’s tacky to tell people what to give you unless they specifically ask. If you ask for donations it says you expect a gift.

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Don’t force your views/ donations on others. You are just making it awkward for them

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a lot of people are asking so there is some fatigue but if a good cause, worth asking and don’t take responses (or lack of) as a proxy for how much your friends/family love you. even better, if you give 2-3 different places they can donate to.

When you say donations - is this donations to a cause or is this a please give me cash in lieu of gifts situation?

The former, though I don’t have a specific cause in mind. I just don’t really want stuff, but feel like people want to gift something.

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I like donations for my birthday too. Just deliver the envelope of cash to me and dont ask any questions lol.

Sounds like a great idea, in fact OP, I went as far as making a donation to the Republican national Committee in your name.

Nahhhh if people want to give you a gift, let them. Don’t make it awkward by asking people to make a donation with THEIR money to a cause of YOUR choosing. Most likely, they already have their own causes they support or they have a good reason they don’t (I.e. can’t afford to). It’s so presumptuous to assume that people don’t know how they want to spend their own hard-earned money.

Personally, when I see that announced on fb I just scroll by. I donate to my own causes, I don’t want to donate to a cause for someone else’s birthday

If you’re over 18 and get anything at all be grateful! I usually get an oil change from my husband and a tank of gas from my parents. Every little bit makes a difference.

If you’re talking about asking friends/family to donate to charity on your behalf, I’d be careful with that. Really think about your audience. Do you really think Aunt Sue is going to want to give you $20 or a charity $20 when she’s on a fixed income?

Thanks for the perspectives! The answers confirm my feeling that it’s a bit cringe to ask for donations instead of a gift.

Also TIL: Gifts for adults are not a thing in the US (I’m European and it’s pretty much a thing here).

It’s a thing here in the US. The crabby comments you got are not representative. I just took a bday gift to my friend who turned 51 yesterday!

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