How to make a donation.

Step 1

Make a decision. A birthday is coming up and they don’t want stuff. They want to feel like the world is heading in a better direction than the previous year. A donation to a noble cause seems fitting. You regularly rotate between charities. Pick one that best fits the birthday boy.

Step 2

Go to the charity’s website. This organisation is pretty special. It has made a huge impact over the last 50 years offering free legal services to First Nations people. You already know what you’ll write in the birthday card to tie this together.

Step 3

Find the 'Donate' button. It's harder to find than it should be. Scroll past the messaging. Choose an amount that's especially generous for you. Click. Review payment wallet. Face ID. Paid.

Step 4

Receive the confirmation email. It contains a pdf receipt. It’s not wrapped. There’s no bow. 

Step 5

Get a card. Write a deeply personal story about how this charity makes the world a better place. They've always cared about justice for First Nations people, and this charity is doing the work. Realise as you're writing that this gift has no moment. No ribbon. No wrapping. No surprise.

Step 6

Feel bad that they won’t have anything to unwrap.

Step 7

Impulsively purchase something they don't want or need. Something frivolous. Something generic. A plant. No… A candle. Perfect for wrapping up in a neat little bow.

Step 8

Arrive at the party. Hand them the card and the candle. Watch them unwrap it with polite enthusiasm. Later, when they read the card, they text you: "This is the best gift. Thank you." And you know they mean the deeply personal donation, not the candle. But you're still glad you bought the candle.