Gransnet forums

Chat

Should charity adverts be restricted before Christmas ?

(53 Posts)
Whethertomorrow Tue 03-Dec-24 17:27:17

I’m always gloomy at this time of year and I could never work out why. I now know why. I’ve spent quite a lot of the past couple of weeks suppressing guilt and tears because of the never ending charity adverts.

There is a constant stream of exceedingly gloomy adverts for very worthy causes and no matter how much I fast forward they still make an impact.

In one advert alone break there were 3 charity ones. There are adverts for every single cause going, from donkeys to homeless to tigers to disabled children. Every single one nicks my heart and I wish I could give to them all, but I can’t. I end up feeling callous and cold hearted.

I wish this seemingly non ending bombardment could be more regulated and the sheer repetitive amount be reduced to perhaps one per advertisement break or between set hours only.

Does anyone know if the charities actually gain any financial benefit from these adverts or does the expenditure on making videos and buying the advertisement times outweigh donations?

I also wonder why they push their causes so much before Christmas. Surely this is the time when people don’t have the cash to spend on charity, they are trying to provide for a good Christmas for their families instead, particularly now when times are hard.

What does anyone else think? I’d love to know your thoughts. Please don’t be harsh on me.

Gransarethebest Thu 05-Dec-24 14:46:40

I was shopping in our local Tesco, and there was the same thing happening. I was impressed that people like yourself gave up their time to encourage others to donate to the food bank, the lady there thanked me for my donation, and I in turn thanked her for giving up her time, to collect for this, I am shocked that some people were less than courteous to you, So I am thanking you also for your hard work on behalf of those less fortunate x

heavenlyheath Thu 05-Dec-24 15:23:14

Whethertomorrow Definitely charity ads should be restricted there are so, so many and I am sure every one a deserving cause in this crazy world. Also being prompted at the till to give money and local charities packing your shopping. As a pensioner in these tough times the last thing you need is to feel guilty if you don't give. 😞

mae13 Thu 05-Dec-24 15:29:45

Charities must advertise profusely especially at this time of year - they have expensive CEO's to pay. After all, you have to push the boat out to attract "the best brains".
Yeah, sure......

AuntieE Thu 05-Dec-24 15:30:32

Many years ago, I realised that I cannot give to every charity, however worthwhile it may be.

So I have chosen a number of causes I support and simply ignore all the other appeals.

This is easy, as I rarely watch TV and when I do use the adverts to go and wee, or make coffee or feed the cats etc.

MissAdventure Thu 05-Dec-24 15:32:30

'Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la, la la la lah!

Newdawn Thu 05-Dec-24 15:39:41

I have to turn them off or mute them..far too much misery for me. Also somehow I feel guilty for the little girl who has to walk through fetch water in Africa...then I remember these ads are probably playing in many many countries across the world. That particular ad also in some ways feeds into the first dea that African countries are mostly charity cases. Then I feel Scrooge like...oh dear

She777 Thu 05-Dec-24 15:50:11

These ads are targeted at the older generation. That’s why they are on during the day and at evening meals. The British public are the most generous to charitable causes in the world. This is why we are targeted by scammers too. We were brought up to be polite and never to slam the phone down, be charitable…there but for the grace of God etc.
Scammers know that if the get someone over 60 they are most likely going to be able to get them to part with their money because you are unlikely to be rude. It’s the same with the adverts they are a scam no matter what it says. There is usually fine print somewhere at the end of the advert stating that 0.5 of a penny from every £2 donated goes to the cause the rest is administration costs.
It’s taken me years to learn to say no to these charities. If I feel charitable now I give to local ones only and it is a donation of food, or clothing.

MrsMatt Thu 05-Dec-24 16:11:52

I can't be the only one that doesn't 'splash the cash' . My food shopping is no different at Christmas than any other week. Maybe some choccy biscuits but that's it. I also don't think that 'most people's could spare a pound or two. I know I can't.

theworriedwell Thu 05-Dec-24 16:14:35

I hate the ones that say they will send you a cuddly toy or regular letters. If I give money I want it to be spent on the cause the charity is supporting not sending goodies to the givers.

I do a regular monthly donation to 3 charities, never hear from one of them, get a thank you card at Christmas from one and one phone call a year from the third to say thanks. That's more than enough.

MissAdventure Thu 05-Dec-24 16:16:20

I dont splash cash either.
If you can't afford it, don't donate.

theworriedwell Thu 05-Dec-24 16:19:22

According to the Charities aid foundation the British aren't one of the most generous to charities. We rank 22nd. I don't know how they work it out.

Eloethan Thu 05-Dec-24 16:34:08

Since all manner of unnecessary things are advertised before Christmas, it seems rather strange to me that requests from help from charities is suggested as a something which should be banned.

It can be very sad to see some of these adverts, I agree. But unless a person is very poor and is unable to spend anything on Christmas paraphenalia and presents, surely sending a little money to one or more charities would benefit the giver as well as the receiver. A few pounds, for most people, would not break the bank but every pound counts to a charity. And, in my experience anyway, it can make a person feel that they have at least contributed something.

MissAdventure Thu 05-Dec-24 16:34:54

Nothing much for us to feel smug about, then.
I wonder who the top countries are?

NonGrannyMoll Thu 05-Dec-24 16:41:53

A month before Christmas, every charity under the sun comes out from the woodwork. (Mixed metaphor? Sorry!) The idea is to make us feel guilty about other people's (or animals') suffering at a time when we're indulging ourselves and our families. Obviously it works or they wouldn't keep doing it. It's hard to throw the leaflets away, so my DH and I pick out 4 charities (medical, children, animals, poverty) and donate what we can. I apologise to all the other leaflets as I throw them away, but we just can't afford to give money to everyone who asks.

Randa Thu 05-Dec-24 16:53:34

They do get monetary benefits from Making these adverts and that’s why they do it
No you’re not callus at all most of the public are not in a position to make donations to even a small sample of them
Do as I was advised to do years ago pick one and do what you can eg donate items , time or money and then don’t feel guilty

Fae1 Thu 05-Dec-24 17:36:21

My money, my choice how I "spend" it. I'm never swayed by adverts, but give to chosen charities throughout the year by direct debit. They always ask for more at Christmas but I remain firm and resolute I'm afraid. Did I hear someone shouting "bah humbug"? 🤐

mabon1 Thu 05-Dec-24 17:43:35

I have direct debits for the charities I support and that's it.

MissAdventure Thu 05-Dec-24 19:30:08

I've just been watching my charity case, bottle feeding, and getting strong and healthy, ready to go off into the wild blue yonder with a Foster mum. smile

Best present I've ever bought myself!!! ❤❤❤

Secondwind Thu 05-Dec-24 19:57:04

I remember the lady’s son speaking about his poor Mum, Jaye53
It was a tragic case and it’s easy to see how it could happen.

theworriedwell Thu 05-Dec-24 20:02:10

MissAdventure

Nothing much for us to feel smug about, then.
I wonder who the top countries are?

It says it is Indonesia, can't remember who was 2nd but I think USA was 3rd.

MissAdventure Thu 05-Dec-24 20:40:09

Really?
That's a surprise to me, but then I know absolutely nothing about other countries' economies.

Crossstitchfan Thu 05-Dec-24 21:50:02

MissAdventure

Without a doubt, I'd say.
There's no way I'd be dictated to about how much I can give, or told I must have a direct debit arrangement.

Those donkey ads, though, they really, really get to me.

Some time ago, when my husband and I saw an advert for a local food bank asking for donations, we rang them and said we would love to give actual food to be handed out to deserving people. The charity, quite rudely, said they only wanted money! I didn’t give them money so they lost out there. We gave our donation to another similar charity who was more than happy to have it.

LovelyLady Thu 05-Dec-24 21:53:06

Agree with some here. Christmas is a time for giving. We can only give what we can but it’s a reminder of Christ who gave to us. We are taught to give to the less fortunate with many giving a card saying they gave to a charity in their name. This is popular in Secret Santa’s in workplaces.

MissAdventure Thu 05-Dec-24 21:56:20

I'm almost ashamed to say I have a beautiful christmas tree, with lights, baubles and everything it needs.

I want to give it to someone I feel is deserving though, rightly or wrongly.

Not a large charity, not someone who is after anything they can get their hands on.

Probably self serving of me, but, hey, I'm no Bob Geldof.

Frenchgalinspain Fri 06-Dec-24 10:09:17

We donate to 2 Canine / Feline Rescues that we respect and we receive their beautiful photographic Calendars ..

We feel it is a worthy cause to help those without voice.