In my mind this started out as a story about celebrating a birthday over the Internet. I wanted to let people know how much I enjoyed over 100 birthday wishes, the pictures of the cakes, flowers and videos. While I was thinking about the story, it reminded me of a “stay at home tea.” I remember that years ago, my mother received an invitation to a “stay at home tea.” In the envelope that came by mail there was a tea bag and a letter with a request for her to donate to an organization. I have always thought that it was a clever and funny idea, and I think more groups should try it.
That was a light bulb moment or in the words of Oprah, an “ah-ha moment.” I think the “stay at home tea” was the early version of crowdfunding. Here is what is recommended for a “stay at home tea.” Write a letter describing your organization–its goals and what the money raised will be used for. Include a statement acknowledging how busy everyone is and that this “nonevent” can be held at the recipient’s convenience. Invite them to sit down, put their feet up, enjoy the tea and relax. Suggest they donate what they would have spent on a typical fundraiser, but also include a suggested donation amount.
Doesn’t this sound familiar? How often do you receive address stickers in the mail and then a request to donate a suggested amount? You have already received something of a small monetary value, now it is up to you to feel guilty and generous at the same time, and write a check for the address stickers. I normally keep the stickers and never make a donation. I must admit, there is a tinge of guilt when I put the stickers into my drawer, and consistently use them for the bills and letters that I send out by mail. I’m sure a lot of people did the same thing with the tea bags––they drank the tea and never sent in any money. Crowdfunding and GoFundMe accounts appear to be very successful for some people. I see people using them for funerals, floods, business startups and to pay off bills.
I have never participated in crowdfunding, although, I have been asked to on numerous occasions. I think in some cases this is a very unorthodox way of raising money. In essence, I am being asked to fund either a dream or a disaster, either send your money because you want breast augmentation surgery or your house has burnt down and you don’t have any insurance.
But a stay at home birthday party isn’t a bad idea. I didn’t have to cook any food or hire a caterer and I did not have to rent a space to host my friends. I felt loved and liked and Facebook even put together a video for me when the birthday was over. Pretty impressive. The “stay at home tea” is alive and well.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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