Idea for donation favors?

[cGd41812]

This is a great idea, sorry about your dad.  I lost my dad last March due to a heart attack as well   I may consider doing the same thing, but just wondering ladies, how much $ would you donate? would it be maybe a $1-$3 per guest?  The cost of wedding favors?

[all the love]

Since it's the heart association, you could do a small bag of cinnamon hearts or those heart candies with messages on them - they wouldn't melt!

[cGd41812]

 

 

Originally Posted by all the love 

 

Since it's the heart association, you could do a small bag of cinnamon hearts or those heart candies with messages on them - they wouldn't melt!

 

Great Idea!

[amott]

Thanks!  Great ideas!  We were thinking of donating to the Arbor Day Foundation which each tree is $1 and finding a cute card to type that up on.

[jmastr05]

I also did a donation in memory of my father (who died from Alzheimer's 4 years ago) in lieu of a favor. The message that we chose is pretty generic, so it may be applicable to some of your situations. Here it is:

 

With much thought and consideration, we have chosen a special way to thank you for sharing our wedding day with us. In lieu of a traditional favor, we have made a donation to ________________ in memory of ______________.

 

I have read many opinions against donations as favors (not in this forum, though). These are the things that seemed to bother people the most...

• Some people may not want their "name" associated with the cause that you pick. So I purposely did not say that a donation was made in the guest's "name." Your choice in charity may also help solve this one (nothing controversial like a political party or Planned Parenthood). But no one of this thread mentioned anything that seemed controversial to me.  
• Some people think that guests should have something tangible to take away from the wedding. Many of your ideas solve that problem (cookie, candy, chocolate, etc). We attached one of those rubber awareness bracelets from the Alzheimer's Association to each card stock with our message using satin ribbon. So many people we wearing the bracelets at the reception and the day after.
• Some people think that announcing a donation to large group is showy or tacky. I don't see any way of addressing that one other than being sure enough in your decision to deflect any criticism. I also think that anyone who feels this way is just one of those people who will always have a criticism, regardless of the situation.

 

I have seen cute of witty messages that are more tailored to the specific charity/couple/wedding theme/etc. I am not very creative, but more power to you if you can come up with something unique! And I agree with the $1-$3 per guests range, for the same reason: it's what you'd spend on a favor anyway.

 

Either way, I am a big fan of donations in lieu (despite reading some opinions that are the polar opposite - again, not in this forum). It was not only meaningful to us, but to the people who also knew my dad (extended family, friends). Many people told us how nice they thought it was. If anyone had anything negative to say, it never made its way to us. And quite frankly, I wouldn't have cared!

[Alysia85]

Not sure if this thread is still active... but i was looking for some help on donations in lieu of a favor.

I've been looking at actual favors online... and nothing is calling my name. Not to mention I only have 3 weeks for ordering/delivery... and then the packing and travelling with them... such a hassle for a random thing that will probably end up in the garbage or tucked in some cabinet never to be seen again.

 

I've always thought a donation is a much better use of money... so now im seriously considering the option. I like the simplicity of a place card saying "in lieu of a traditional favor we have made a donation to _____" etc etc. Very simple ,thoughtful, and meaningful.

 

I just cant decide where to donate to. I'm thinking something local and smaller ... so it might actually make a small difference and reach those in need. I have a huge passion for animals.. so was thinking maybe a local humane society ...orrr i dont know!

I was originally thinking a more global charity like ontario breast cancer society or heart and stroke or world vision or WWF ... but some people at work said not to waste my money on those charities because it will never reach anyone in need.  

 

Not sure what to do... any advice???