I've said tacky copout, but actually I think Clod nailed it. I have given donations as presents when, for example, a friend has had a birthday party and requested that anyone wishing to give presents make a donation to a particular charity. I did once consider one of those adopt a *insert endangered animal here* type gifts for my niece as she's very into animals and conservation issues...but decided against because frankly, it's a shit present unless she gets to cuddle it :P
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