Giving a donation as a gift is a thoughtful way to celebrate life’s many occasions. It’s a gift that gives back to the community and those who need it most. Donations to charity are also a way to show your appreciation for someone you love, by contributing to a cause or organisation they care about.
If you have a friend or loved one who is passionate about a particular charity, community or cause, here are 10 occasions you can make even more special by giving them a donation as a gift.
Birthdays
As the day that marks the birth of someone you love, it’s your opportunity to show you them how much they mean to you, and remind them of the important role they play in your life.
Are there any charities or causes that are important to your loved one? If so, gifting them a donation in lieu of material gifts or alongside an experience will make their birthday extra special.
Christmas
Christmas is a time of year when everyone comes together to celebrate and spend quality time together as a family or community. As we come together with those we care about, many gifts are exchanged. Instead of giving the same kinds of Christmas gifts each year, perhaps socks, books or candles, make your gift stand out by giving a charity donation that will make a real difference in the world.
If the charity you choose supplies a Christmas card to accompany and acknowledge your donation, insert it into a Christmas card and present it to your loved one on Christmas Day. Otherwise you can either create your own charity Christmas card as part of your festive activities!
Easter
Traditionally, chocolate is the most common gift exchanged at Easter time, and who doesn’t love chocolate! But often we can get too much of it at this time of year.
Now we’re not saying to ignore chocolate altogether, but instead of a basket full of chocolate eggs, perhaps give a small chocolate to add to your loved one’s hoard, accompanied by a charity donation, no matter how big or small.
Graduations
We all remember the excitement we felt when we donned the graduate cap in university or rushed out of the school gates at the end of the HSC. A graduation is the fruition of all that someone has worked for, recognised in a gathering of their loved ones and peers.
Make their graduation even more special by donating to a charity they are passionate about, or perhaps one that is related to their field of study. Your loved one has achieved a special goal, now you can help someone else achieve theirs in his or her honour.
Anniversaries
Commemorate an anniversary with someone special without some of the standard gifts that no longer impress. Donations allow you to show your love in a way that makes a true difference to the lives of others. You can easily pair a donation with other anniversary gifts like flowers or a dinner date to truly mark the anniversary of your wedding, engagement or any other important milestone.
Engagements
To celebrate an engagement, there is no better gift than one that changes the world, even if only for one person. If you know a couple who are recently engaged, a donation will be a great present for them to mark this momentous occasion in their lives, without adding to all the clutter they might receive from others!
Weddings
These days, it is becoming more common to give cash or a charity donation in lieu of gifts at weddings. Making a donation to a couple’s favourite charity is one of the most memorable gifts you could give them to mark the day they pledged to spend their life together.
If you are the bride or groom in the lucky couple, you could partner with a charity like Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and ask for donations in lieu of gifts to your preferred charity.
Mother’s Day
Show your Mum your appreciation for all she has done for you by giving her a donation to charity for Mother’s Day.
Your mum has cared for you your whole life, now let her care for other people who need it most with a donation to a charity that symbolises something special about her. She will love the thoughtful and unique gift.
Father’s Day
Like mothers, fathers play an important role in most of our lives. Father’s Day is the time of year when we acknowledge our father, or a father figure in our lives, for their love and support. When choosing a gift for Dad on Father’s Day, consider what his most important values are, and if there’s a charity you could donate to in his honour that resonates with those qualities.
In memory of someone
If a friend or relative has lost someone dear, on the anniversary of their passing, consider donating to charity in their memory. A donation in memory is a gift full of meaning. It’s a way to ensure the memory of the deceased lives on, and a kind gesture to the bereaved that will make a positive impact on those who need it most.
Donate to Aspect as your gift
There’s no gift more special than one that gives back. If you’d like to donate to charity for a birthday, in memory or for another of life’s occasions, perhaps you’d like to donate to Aspect?
When you donate to Aspect, your gift will provide life-changing support to children on the autism spectrum. You’ll help provide autism-friendly learning environments, support Aspect Schools and many other autism-specific services.
You have the option to make a once-off donation, or become a Partner in Change as part of our community of regular givers. Your gift can be more than just an item, it can truly do something wonderful.
