Charitable Giving Gifts that Give Back: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Gift Giving Etiquette in Other Countries

Gift giving can involve a certain etiquette, that if breached, can lead to embarrassment at the least, and potentially damaged relationships in more serious situations. Whether it’s part of a business trip and cultural exchange, or even visiting family or friends in another part of the world, there are certain gift giving rules and expectations that are culturally significant and must be observed.

Gift giving etiquette mainly centers around the following questions: Who is the recipient, what type of gift is expected, what is the process for giving the gift, and is there an expectation of reciprocity?

In Western cultures, the identity of the recipient is perhaps the single most important factor in gift giving. Specifically, the nature of the relationship between giver and receiver is key. The closer the relationship, the more personal the gift that is allowed. Closer relationships also allow for more informal gift giving occasions (not just on holidays or special days of celebration) as well as an increased expectation for both parties to reciprocate the gifts. Anyone who has ever experienced one of those awkward moments receiving a gift from an unexpected source knows exactly just how important the observance of these customs is.

With more more international business bringing about cross-cultural relationships, it’s important to note that not all gift giving rules of etiquette are universal. Some are unique to their culture.

In China, for example, it’s quite common, even expected for the giver to ask the recipient what gift he or she would like to receive. In business relationships, gift giving is always reciprocal and a failure to observe this custom could destroy an otherwise prosperous relationship. The Chinese also are very generous with their gift giving. Someone who obviously has skimped on a gift becomes known as an “iron rooster.” As the concepts of balance and harmony are valued in Chinese culture, it’s customary to give gifts that come in pairs or sets rather than individual items.

In Saudi Arabia, gifts are only exchanged between individuals who are considered the most intimate of friends; therefore, a gift for a casual business acquaintance may appear too forward and damage the relationship. If buying for a Saudi man, never buy gold or silk. That is an inappropriate gift for a male in the culture. One other piece of advice, when giving a gift in Saudi Arabia, it is customary to offer it with the right hand. To do otherwise is considered offensive.

Fortunately, Gifts that Give offers a variety of high quality, name brand gift items that will be acceptable in any culture (provided the aforementioned rules are followed). Not only will the recipient be honored by a present from Gifts that Give, but an additional honor is bestowed when Gifts that Give contributes 20% of the purchase price to a charity of your choice, because charitable gift giving is appropriate in any culture.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Five Charitable Giving Gifts for College Students

Finding charitable giving gifts for college students isn't that hard. Not only has this age of student grown up in one of the most affluent times in history, but also the most technologically advanced. This means this generation has a great affinity for gadgets, which sometimes means sometimes requires taking out a second mortgage. You want to get something that they’ll appreciate and be able to use and still be able to afford to pay the tuition bills. And buy food.

That’s where Gifts that Give comes in. Gifts that Give is an online merchant that provides a tremendous variety of ideas for charitable giving gifts. Not only that, but they donate a portion of the purchase price — 20 percent —to a named charitable cause. Your "regular" gifts become charitable giving gifts any time you make a purchase and specify a nonprofit or charitable giving organization. This means if you purchase a $200 gift, $40 will be donated to any nonprofit you choose.

You may not be able to buy your college student a new laptop, but with the charitable giving gifts at Gifts that Give, you can buy a very stylish laptop sleeve or pillow. These come in several styles and are always high quality, designer brands. They’ll be the envy of their classmates when they pull out their laptop encased in an attractive Jonathan Adler print, and only the two of you will know the greater good you've given.

You’ll also find cases and covers especially designed for MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads as well. If your college student has an e-reader, there are some great binders for those, too. Whether it’s ear buds for listening to podcasts or a designer backpack to carry actual books (most schools still use these antiques, much to your student's chagrin), your college student will be the big man/woman on campus with the charitable giving gifts offered at Gifts that Give.

The most appealing part of Gifts that Give though is their connection to charities. This younger generation isn’t just interested in technology; they’re also one of the most civic-minded and charitable generations ever! Your college student will love not just the charitable giving gifts you selected, but the contribution to the a cause that supports the environment, civil rights, the arts, or whatever charity your college student is passionate about.

This year, do something that will really impress your college student. Stop trying to stay ahead to the technology curve. It’s a losing battle because of the rapid changes and high prices. Instead, give your college student some stylish charitable giving gifts as an accessory for those electronics and support a cause that’s meaningful as well. They’ll get some charitable giving gifts they can really use and appreciate. You can make it even more special, and specify the donation from your charitable giving gifts to support your student's favorite nonprofit organization, maybe even one that is supporting them!

Monday, February 13, 2012

How Charitable Giving Works

Ecommerce makes charitable giving more convenient, but not how you might think. Oh sure, there are electronic payment options at virtually every charitable giving website out there, but there’s one unique option out there that has changed the way we think about charitable giving.

One of the great struggles for all of us is separating our need to give back with our desire for material items, especially as the economy slowly recovers. However, according to several organizations and think tanks, charitable giving was on the rise in 2011, and 2012 is filled with expectations and hope.

According to the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, in 2010 Americans gave more than $290.89 billion to their favorite charitable giving organizations, which was up 3.8% from the previous year. $211.77 billion of that was given by individuals and households, which was 73% of all charitable giving dollars. This figure is further borne out by the National Park Service, which says that 80% of their own philanthropic giving comes from individuals and bequests. The remaining amount comes from corporations and foundations.

And just as there are many different charitable giving organizations, the web also features a plethora of ecommerce sites that make shopping online far preferable for many than getting out to traditional brick-and-mortar stores and markets. No fighting traffic, looking for a parking spot or braving inclement weather only to find that the store doesn’t have the item you’re looking for. By shopping online, you can easily browse for what you’re looking for and compare prices. The item you want is always in stock and oftentimes customers can finds some great deals on line that aren’t available in the physical stores.

Gifts that Give have managed to combine charitable giving and online shopping into one experience, making it easier for people to both shop and give at the same time. On the website, you have access to thousands of name brand, high-quality gift items in as many gift categories as you can imagine, many of which can’t be found in stores.

Best of all, you’ll get to take advantage of what makes Gifts that Give special in the marketplace: the ability to attach a charitable giving contribution to your purchase. For every five dollars spent, Gifts that Give will designate a dollar toward the charity or special cause that you choose. There are literally thousands of those to choose from as well, from national organizations like the American Heart Association to charities and organizations serving your own community.

What would make a better gift for someone you care about than one of the unique, high-quality items offered by Gifts that Give as well as the knowledge that a portion of the purchase price for that gift has been “payed forward” to a worthy cause?