Grandsons

Being aware of ‘those less fortunate ‘. does not make people care about what they are aware of.
If you feel they have too much tangible stuff, take them for a day out on their birthday instead.

I find that GC are expected to do things for charity through their school and various clubs so will not expect them to share their birthdays with a charity too.
I always ask DIL what the GC would like, with the teenager it is usually clothes or money.

My son and DiL have a lot of family and friends who have given loads of gifts and toys to our beloved GS. I have spoken to his mum and dad and agreed to buy him token gifts only plus money which his parents can spend on him as and when he needs anything else. He has loads of toys which have been loaned to him by friends whose own children have outgrown them and when he outgrows them they will be returned to the original owners.

I agree Harrigan

I think children are very aware of the need to raise money for charities. They have children in need, Red Nose Day, currently some of ours are doing a sponsored run for cancer relief at school

I think birthdays are for presents and spoiling children a bit!

No, definitely don’t do it,
Open a savings account for them for the future, & treat them to a day out somewhere, perhaps an animal sanctuary or something like that, ( ice creams optional)
As the old saying goes , there is more than on way to skin a cat! ( actually I must look up the origins of this saying, its actually a bit gory if you think about it ?)

One not on!