Angel Tree gifts?

[Mouse7116]

We do one every year. Before ds was born out grocery stores did an angel tree for seniors and we would each pick one from that. Since ds was born we have picked from the angel tree a child his age and included him on picking the toys or clothes. This year he was a lot of fun and we talked a lot about making Christmas special for a little boy like him. He was very chatty with the cashier about the special boy we were buying presents for. We spent around $60 but I forgot to read the back where it said you could add gloves or clothes and we just got the toys on the list. It's a bit if a family tradition for us.

 

[Ephany]

DD's school used to do a coat drive in November and we'd also do a senior angel. Unfortunately they're no longer doing the coat drive, so it's just the senior angel this year. None of the angels on the trees where I volunteer had wishes over $30 total. I think they focus more on useful items, lots of requests for hats, scarves etc... DD picked one who was requesting a snuggie and we added in some matching fuzzy socks and miscellaneous items.

 

[torinsmom]

My school is sponsoring two families--both families of children attending our school. There were quite a few tags per child. I picked a 10 year old girl who wanted a CD player and Katie Perry or Justin Bieber CD. I got the CD player and some cute earphones and plan to get her both their newest CDs, probably $50 total. The second one I picked was a 9 year old girl. He wanted a doll with hair that could be styled. I got her a Madame Alexander American Girl knock off from Walmart for $30 and plan to get her a few extra outfits to go with it, so it will be about $50 as well. My budget is fairly tight, but I love to help make a kids' Christmas brighter.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We always do something but it varies every year. We have a few years done a whole family but most years we have done one child and a few years we have just chosen a few items off a tree that list a lot individual gift for a family. A few years we have chosen a child that was the age of the little girl we lost and that was really special.

One thing we have started doing however is to ask where they get their families referred from. We were getting names from a tree at our church that used head start children and we discovered that EVERY child there is put on the list regardless of family income and many of the children were there due to delays and health issues not for finical reasons. We had a family member at the time whom had a child in this program. He worked with DH at the time, made really good money, had a wife that was a nurse and the child was getting SS benefits because her bio-mom had died. They were making more money that we were . Sometimes you do just have to go on faith but I do tend to at least ask now.

 

[The Wise One]

I got an ornament from our tree at church. I chose a 6 year old girl who just needed clothes, it didn't list any toys. So I bought her several shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 dresses, a jacket and a pair of shoes. I need to get some underwear/socks and I'll be done. It didn't list any toys but I'm tempted to just throw in something. I probably will end up spending around $100. It just said on our guideline not to spend more than $30 per item. Other than that no limit was set. I got her quite a few things, and I'm happy about that. I do worry that she may have brothers or sisters on the tree that won't get as many items.

 

[disneylove69]

I think the Angel tree is awesome. I did find out each local chapter does it a little different. Some let the child write the wish and others the facilitator fills it out.

 

[torinsmom]

We always do something but it varies every year. We have a few years done a whole family but most years we have done one child and a few years we have just chosen a few items off a tree that list a lot individual gift for a family. A few years we have chosen a child that was the age of the little girl we lost and that was really special.

One thing we have started doing however is to ask where they get their families referred from. We were getting names from a tree at our church that used head start children and we discovered that EVERY child there is put on the list regardless of family income and many of the children were there due to delays and health issues not for finical reasons. We had a family member at the time whom had a child in this program. He worked with DH at the time, made really good money, had a wife that was a nurse and the child was getting SS benefits because her bio-mom had died. They were making more money that we were . Sometimes you do just have to go on faith but I do tend to at least ask now.

That's why I like that our tree has families from our school. They are referred by teachers and the social worker. One family on the tree is actually homeless at this point :-(. At my old school, families could refer themselves. I was a single mom making less that $20,000/year and bought for a 5 year old boy. When I found out who the gifts went to, I was really upset. The family lived in a gated community and mom drove a Lexus. They were far from needy by my standards.

 

[cats mom]

This year the money we had set aside for the angel tree will be given to a family we know who are in real financial need. Cash makes more sense than stuff for them right now, so while we'll miss the fun of shopping, we feel good about our decision.

When we do an angel tree type thing we generally gift: socks, a pair of pj's, an outfit or two, at least one book, and depending on the wish list either one nice movie, game, or toy or several smaller ones.

Like many posters here we tend to choose tags of those close to the ages of our own kids, and we've done tweens or teens the past couple of years. I find it gets more and more challenging to keep the cost reasonable as the kids get older. We do generally go over $100

 

[momxx5]

The first Christmas after DH & I were married we decided to start a tradition. Instead of buying gifts for each other, we decided to each pick an Angel from the tree and purchace for them.

We continued this tradition for many, many years (as long as we could). We were able to keep the "Angel ornament" and each year we would look back and fondly remember little Gordon and LaToya.....and all the others as years went by.

We usually picked a boy and a girl and tried to get an many things as possible from the lists. We would shop sales, clearance, etc. We tried to get clothing, toy, coat/jacket and a book. We tried to keep it at $50 per child.

As our family grew, our children became a part of the shopping and giving. They learned charity, empathy and the best feeling of giving.

We look forward to the days when we can once again pick from the Angel tree.

 

[Sagginit]

i just did one for work. we were given a $20-25 price range. ours is done for our foundation which works with children to encourage them to pursue their dreams so each child was asked to write down what they wanted to be when they grow up. i got a child that wanted to be a police officer so she could protect people. another coworker got a child that wanted to be a fashion designer, and then listed the designer goods they had and the designers they like. i was like that child will be disappointed when there is no chanel bag in the box but a toy!

i try to be positive but truthfully i am very skeptical about these things. my mothers office used to do one and some of the families in need were her employees. she would be furious when people who were turning down work from her on a regular basis would then have the nerve to sign up based on income and collect the goodies. i guess there will always be someone to work the system so you have to just be positive.

 

[MomToOne]

For those looking for Seniors to buy for, the Walgreens in my neighborhood has a tree with all Seniors on it. Maybe look there?

 

[Jenny3]

My office 'adopts' a local family from another agent's church and we all buy for them (about 25 of us). I spend around $30 and usually get something the child needs (this year it was PJs) and something she wants (Disney Princess)

 

[DaisyD]

We buy for Toys for Tots but I also grabbed 8 angels off a tree today. I've never done the angels before but noticed all that were left were for 14-16 y/o kids. I asked the clerk and she said that the other younger kids in the 10 families had their angels picked. No one wanted to buy for the older kids. There is no way I would want to wake up Christmas morning and watch my little siblings open stuff and nothing for me. All these kids were boys wanting game cards from places like Game Stop and electonic stores. I spent $50 on each card for them. I'm not sure what is the going rate but figured that would be good to have.