Should charity adverts be restricted before Christmas ?

Whethertomorrow

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.

You only have to realise that CEOs of charities, especially national ones, are paid a lot of money, like £100k/150k plus (which comes out of their budget/donations) to understand that the money doesn't all go to the cause being advertised. I used to give every month to an international charity years ago through GAYE (deducted from salary) but they hounded me for more month by month for over a year even though I pleaded with them to stop several times as I was giving what I could. They didn't stop. I cancelled the GAYE. I don't feel guilty about my charitable donations. I give things to local charity shops they can sell and I buy things from them too. And from time to time if I can afford I donate locally. Do what you think you want to do but don't feel guilty whatever you decide

VenusDeVillendorf

I think you have what’s called “compassion fatigue” OP. It’s exhausting isn’t it?

Be kind to yourself and choose one charity and show them your love with a small direct debit, and a small legacy in you will!

You’re not responsible for all the ills of the world, and you have the power to vote in those who will change policy towards those less fortunate.

completely agree

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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"? 🤐

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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......