Charitable Contribution Instead of a Lame Favor.....?

mrandmrsrobert

We have a charity that we would love to make a sizeable donation to instead of getting individual favors for our guests. It is a very personal organization that  we would love to do in honor of our guests to celebrate our wedding. What is your thoughts? I don't feel like spending money on either lame gifts that are personalized with our names that someone is just going to throw away or eat... 

Thoughts? Opinions?

PattyandAlan

Read the first post on this board that is tacked up...it goes into this in detail.

Matty143

Ditto all, the sticky is good.

I do not think favors are necessary. A hosted bar, dinner and some cake is good enough for me.
Good luck

vtgoodspeed

I went to one wedding where the favor was actuallly a card stating that the couple had made a donation to their favorite charity in honour of the guest.  I thought it was great and it personally wasn't a charity I support but it was important to the couple and that is really all that matters.

CherandAl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_favors_charitable-contribution-instead-of-lame-favor?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:27Discussion:b2367603-d5e5-45d7-83d7-2291c36cee33Post:93602313-445d-468f-92ad-f7a1a360177f">Re: Charitable Contribution Instead of a Lame Favor.....?</a>:
[QUOTE]I went to one wedding where the favor was actuallly a card stating that the couple had made a donation to their favorite charity in honour of the guest.  I thought it was great and it personally wasn't a charity I support but it was important to the couple and that is really all that matters.
Posted by vtgoodspeed[/QUOTE]

This. I agree with you about favors being lame... Some are cute but are they really worth the money? It's your wedding- do what you want on your day. Try not to offend or snub anyone and that's about all you can do.

AmethystMSU

Favors are lame. We donated money to the local Humane Society. Who can argue with donating money to help homeless dogs and cats?

I do agree with others to make sure it's not a controversial charity or a charity that could offend some. I suppose someone could make a case against the local Humane Society as they do euthanize unadoptable pets, but they do a LOT of good as well. Good charity choices are those that support research for cancer, help animals, etc.

CassieeK

Read the sticky and skip the favors.  And then if you still insist on donating in lieu of something, donate in lieu of your bouquet or something instead. 

graysquirrel

Yes., read the sticky.

Here's the problem with donating vs favors in a nutshell-- favors are gifts to guests. That is the point of them, to say thank you to the guest by giving them a little something. Giving money to someone else isn't a gift to your guest no matter how you slice it. Go ahead and give your donation, but why call attention to it? A wedding isn't a good time to step up on a soapbox.

tfunicello

I love this idea & orginially was going to do it myself. I have been to a handful of weedings that have put a framed note on each table saying in lieu of favors, we will be donating... Nobody goes to a wedding for the favors, & I loved knowing that the couple made a difference rather than giving us something we may never use. 

tldh

"Hi Stacy.  I have a great gift for you to thank you for taking the time to come to our wedding.  What is it?  Oh, no silly, it's not something for you, the present is going to my friend Bob but it's really yours."

See anything wrong with this scenario?  It's exactly what you are doing.

Also, no matter how benign you think a charity is, you run the risk of offending people.  Some people don't like animal charities because there are people who need help.  A lot of people have big serious problems with Susan G. Komen.  The list goes on

Just skip the stupid favors.  Nobody cares about them anyway.

If you really want to donate to your charity, then do something like forgoing your flowers and donating what you would have spent  on them to your charity.

cmp1986

I say if it's something that is important to you and your FI, then go for it. Don't worry about what others think, it's your and your FI's day.

ChrissyC84

You could put a sticker/ribbon on a favor box filled with chocolate, explaining about the donation.  This seems to be a very popular solution where I am from.   This way the guests get treats and they can also acknowledge the donation.  I, personally am against donations as favors, but my fiance' is insisting on it, so we are working on a compromise...

amanda489

I love the idea personally. I think we are going to do a small bag with candy or something inside (something cheap) and then tie a tag to it saying that we are donating to our local animal shelter. Anyone who knows us knows we are both huge animal lovers so I see fit...after all it is your day

krobinson3311

I am not sure why a lot of people are so hostile about the donations to a charity-- I think it is a great idea, and honestly what charity will your guests be against? A charity is a good cause- and no you are not giving a gift to your guest, but you are helping people in some kind of need.
We are donating to the wounded warrior project, our best man is in the army and we want our guests to be a part of that.
I agree favors are lame- we have a million candles, bags of candy, picture frames, and coasters to fill a few drawers with

mrandmrsrobert

The charity we are donating to is a charity that personally effects 4 out of 5 members of my immediate family (myself included)... it is also what caused the cancer that is killing my oldest brother. So, yes.... It is important. 

Sorry to those that think its tacky however it will be a wonderful gesture and maybe get peoples attention that its serious and genetic and may be effecting some members of our extended family who are too pig headed to bother getting checked. However, thanks for your input! Hope your favors are as spectacular and meaningful as mine