Charity at end-of-year, versus other times of year

[Brian63]

At the end of every year we tend to see more appeals from various people and organizations for others to charitably donate to them (at least those of us in Western Christian residences...I do not know how it works in other parts of the world who use different calendars and have different religions that are predominant). People seem more likely to donate to charity then, partly because of the religious environment we are in and wanting to get in on their God's good side around its December 25th birthday, party out of habit, partly for tax reasons even, etc. When I came to realize this some time ago, it lessened the significance and the impact of people's typical charity gifts at the end of the year.



Please understand, I do think that charitable gift giving is great any time of year, and should be appreciated every time. I just think it is even greater and more meaningful when done "out of season" than when in it. It has a feeling of more authenticity and sincerity to me then, when it is not done out of habit and custom, or because people are wanting to get publicity for it (either for themselves personally or their religion in general).

I certainly do not think that people's behaviors can be ascribed to a single motivation, so I am not suggesting that any of those goals are what is really motivating people, and nothing else. Rather, we are all an assortment of motivations and values of varying degrees, some of them are more charitable and others are less charitable. Like I said above though, it just means more on the whole when people give to others not out of custom and habit at a certain time of year when we feel compelled to do so, but rather at other times just because they want to help whoever or whatever it is they are giving to.

Thoughts? Agree, disagree?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[TV and credit cards]

Agreed. I never liked how my previous employer gave bonus points on performance evaluations for charitable acts. Charity for charity's sake I say.
A friend had countered that if you can get some people to give only at specific times of year who otherwise would not give at all, so be it. True enough. I guess "beggars can't be choosers" is appropriate.

 

[fast]

I don't think in-season gift-giving is less meaningful.