I have seen how these gofundme pages can be set up for someone with a genuine problem but then how that money is misused once handed over to the person the page was set up for. I know of someone that has had 3 pages set up for them by well meaning friends over the years and seeing the total misuse of the funds turned me off ever giving to these type of pages.

While I’m all for giving for those in need and putting people’s name forward to reach out to, it becomes a different story when people start asking via go-fund me pages.
When times are tough financially (and even when times aren’t tough) it’s ok to give simple gifts that cost little, homemade gifts or the gift of experiences and love.

He should just give his kids what he can afford, it needn’t be extravagant.

If the Dad is that desperate he should go to a registered charity that assists with parcels at Christmas time. When my parents had a shortage of cash due to my Dad being sick for so long and running out of sick leave, we had normal food we had every day, cheap but nourishing and thought nothing of it. We got basic cheap brand clothes as we had completely grown out of our Summer clothes from the previous year and things we needed for the following year for school. Our clothes are our present. They were new and special to us.

If people want to donate they will and if they don’t they won’t.

Why would anyone actually donate to this? Christmas is so materialistic. It won’t hurt your kids to have a Christmas without big presents. Organise a scavenger hunt for them to do together and at the end have a board game or something they can share. Simple.

I’m not entirely sure this is the right way to go about asking for help – back in the day people would only get one thing for Christmas and it was handmade. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t have a Christmas, but there are people out their Crowd Funding for much bigger issues than just Christmas presents, and perhaps this is something where he could just go to his local charity and ask for help because they are obviously doing it tough. There are charities who will help out with food and would possibly help with gifts too.

everyone has different circumstances and I applaud anyone who can lend a hand to any family who is struggling

It is a personal choice if people want to donate they can, if not move on.

Personally the end remark that this man makes surprises me “We never expected this amount of kindness or media attention. In the new year we are going to make it one of our priorities to make monthly donations to other go fund me accounts” . I found that rather strange.

Those go fund me pages drive me insane. Too many people abuse them for the most ridiculous things. Or they make up they are ill etc,. They are getting out of hand.

• • 
  • • mom93821 replied
    • 25 Nov 2018 , 6:06 am

  ---

  I have read stories about people that have been found out for lying about illnesses and situations to get money. Rather a shameful thing to do just for money!

I think the go-fund-me pages are really getting out of hand. To help a dad whose wife has died and left him with two young children and a brand new business to run is one thing, but just for Christmas presents? Do like we all did in the old days, go without if you can’t afford it.

If they find it hard normally why have more children. Besides they would get centrelink payments for the children. Why not take them all away camping or for a day out together. Food and love are more important than presents. Have a Merry Christmas

• • 
  • • tytara1999 replied
    • 24 Nov 2018 , 3:32 pm

  ---

  You buy what you can afford you also have as many children as you can afford if you cant afford xmas how can you lie and say your going to donate to others maybe dont waste your money throughout the year and start buying early

Very sad that he still believes THINGS are what the family want. You can gift so much more. It’s not about the presents at all.. but time together, great memories just having a walk in the park, or taking the time to play a simple game…. While plenty of people DO receive charity at Christmas it’s usually about more ‘essentials’ such as food hampers.. but even there the charities are straying more and more into other ‘gifts’ .. like books and the like… so all pretty confusing. Where do we draw the line in a society driven by consuming?

Too much emphasis is put on presents but there are also so many people in the same boat as this family which is sad.