Alternative giving is a form of gift giving in which the giver makes a donation to a charitable organization in the recipient’s name, rather than giving an item. The idea of giving something to one person by paying another was invented by Benjamin Franklin as a "trick [...] for doing a deal of good with a little money", which came to be known as "pay it forward."[1]
This form of giving is often used as an alternative to consumerism and to mitigate the impact of gift-giving on the environment.[2] Charities that promote this type of donating will normally provide a card or certificate describing the donation, often with an example of how the donation will be used (such as one day’s worth of food for a hungry person) or a symbolic denomination, called "ownership" or "adoption" (of an animal or a tree for example). Some charities promote alternative giving at weddings in place of wedding favors normally providing several cards to be left on tables at the reception letting guests know a donation has been made rather than individual cards for each guest. Kate Middleton and Prince William made the decision to "Pay it Forward" with their wedding gifts, asking that the money to be used for gifts be given to charities and good causes. Sometimes several charitable organizations gather in an "alternative gift fair", "holiday fair" or "Christmas bazaar" to attract donors by providing them a wider selection of choices.[3]
[edit] Alternative Giving Organizations
Organizations that specialize in alternative gifts include Harvest of Hope, Alternative Gifts International, Oxfam, Heifer International and jole rider.
[edit] Pop culture
The concept was spoofed in the Seinfeld episode "The Strike". George Costanza, angry at having received a donation to charity instead of an actual gift, made up his own non-existent charity and handed out fake donations to save money on gifts and cheque.
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