Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what bothers me about this is the appearance of trying to have it both ways. It seems like the charity is a front for a request for cash. I think it would be a nice idea if all the donations went to the suggested charity and the parents agreed privately with their child that they would match the total or some percentage to purchase a gift.

Well said. The charity part doesn't bother me, its that 1/2 of the amount goes to the kid.