Buying gifts for Angel Tree donations ....update at bottom of original post

[wilkeliza]

Thank you OP for considering everything on the list. I was one of these kids years ago when my mom (who was raising 3 of us on her own) was battling cancer. I'm glad the person who chose our family didn't judge what we asked for as kids. Yes we had a PlayStation but that was because it was the only gift we had gotten the year prior between the 3 of us and my mom did the whole blackfriday and save a tiny bit from every check to get that 1 luxury for us. I know my brothers who were teenagers at the time asked for games for that. I remember asking for an electronic puppy dog (which were all the rage back then). Of course we were told you never know what you might get but our lists were our wishes. I know years later I helped from the same group that we got help from and they said spend what you can but to chose wishes that were aligned with what you were willing to spend. I remember the child I got just wanted scrabble so my friends and I who were doing it together got them a nice set, an official scrabble dictionary and threw in some other things. We chose that specific child because we all were nerdy kids and felt it was so close to us that this child somewhere only wanted scrabble for Christmas.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm glad the person who chose our family didn't judge what we asked for as kids.

I'm not judging the child for asking for a hoverboard or a video game far from it;I was a kid once too you know. But I don't think it was appropriate to keep on the list given out to people. Given that my local Salvation Army suggests $30-$35 per child/senior as well as a grocery certificate I'm going to hedge a guess that they wouldn't advocate buying a hoverboard or video game (sure you can find deals but many are on the $50-$60 per game range though obviously some are not that high). Every charity and area you are in will be different though.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I agree that a hoverboard is a bit expensive. But I don't find the other requests excessive. Things today are expensive. Gifts for a family for $100? If your receiving only one or 2 gifts, a bike or video game are reasonable.

Back in the 1990s, I managed our department adopt a family. We spent more than $100 and got non extravagant gifts, clothes, shoes and a few groceries for the families we adopted from the battered women's shelter.

At 9 years old, I could see a child believing in Santa and not having a clue that things like a hoverboard were over the top.

If it pains you (general you) to pick an angel with a hoverboard as a gift, chose a different angel requesting socks and legos

I agree with you! When I pick a child's tag/wish list, I pick a list that I can manage to give the gift/gifts on the list.

OP, if you can't figure out a way to purchase and transport a bike for the boy, can your husband return that tag and pick a new one? That way someone who could transport a bike could fulfill the boys wish and you could possibly have a different child who wants something that you can get.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm not judging the child for asking for a hoverboard or a video game far from it;I was a kid once too you know. But I don't think it was appropriate to keep on the list given out to people. Given that my local Salvation Army suggests $30-$35 per child/senior as well as a grocery certificate I'm going to hedge a guess that they wouldn't advocate buying a hoverboard or video game (sure you can find deals but many are on the $50-$60 per game range though obviously some are not that high). Every charity and area you are in will be different though.

It just comes off that way because you are so focused on how much this kid asked for and how it is suppose to be able helping needy families with clothing and food. Clearly if the orginization the OP's husband chose a child through let the kid put that on their list they didn't think it was too far out of reach. That was probably the item he was strongly told not to expect but they let him put it on just in case a person with the means is who ended up with them. Yes the organization you chose says 30-35 per a child but most I worked with after having been blessed to receive through one had no maximum you could spend. Of course the one I went to was delivered to their home on Christmas with a Christmas feast by a volunteer (often the gift giver) so there was no well that family over there got stuff worth way more than us because you had no clue what other families were chosen that year and what they got.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Thank you OP for considering everything on the list. I was one of these kids years ago when my mom (who was raising 3 of us on her own) was battling cancer. I'm glad the person who chose our family didn't judge what we asked for as kids. Yes we had a PlayStation but that was because it was the only gift we had gotten the year prior between the 3 of us and my mom did the whole blackfriday and save a tiny bit from every check to get that 1 luxury for us. I know my brothers who were teenagers at the time asked for games for that. I remember asking for an electronic puppy dog (which were all the rage back then). Of course we were told you never know what you might get but our lists were our wishes. I know years later I helped from the same group that we got help from and they said spend what you can but to chose wishes that were aligned with what you were willing to spend. I remember the child I got just wanted scrabble so my friends and I who were doing it together got them a nice set, an official scrabble dictionary and threw in some other things. We chose that specific child because we all were nerdy kids and felt it was so close to us that this child somewhere only wanted scrabble for Christmas.

All good points here!

 

[Southernmiss]

It's an Angel Tree with Christmas wishes.

Families with children's names on these trees are probably receiving some help from a food bank or clothing closet. That's why it's not full of requests for food and clothes.

Even the poor kids deserve a nice, new item at Christmas. I've talked to the mom's of kids on these trees. Most are in tears and embarassed to ask for help.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It just comes off that way because you are so focused on how much this kid asked for and how it is suppose to be able helping needy families with clothing and food. Clearly if the orginization the OP's husband chose a child through let the kid put that on their list they didn't think it was too far out of reach. That was probably the item he was strongly told not to expect but they let him put it on just in case a person with the means is who ended up with them. Yes the organization you chose says 30-35 per a child but most I worked with after having been blessed to receive through one had no maximum you could spend. Of course the one I went to was delivered to their home on Christmas with a Christmas feast by a volunteer (often the gift giver) so there was no well that family over there got stuff worth way more than us because you had no clue what other families were chosen that year and what they got.

It wasn't my intent. I wasn't focused on how much the child asked for. The OP said 3 things: hoverboard, video game, bike. It wasn't how much the child asked for as it was only 3 items it was what those 3 items were and really it was the hoverboard that was the main thing.

At the same time you don't know if that place let the child put it on their list. Plenty of places get those angels in boxes without being looked at. Depending on the actual place they would have the ability to take it off the list if they wanted to and each place has their own guideline. Just google Salvation Army angel tree and you'll get a plethora of websites for each area that have different information/guidelines. And the intent at least from all the ones I look at are aimed at helping families in need/prisoners/rent assistance/senior assistance/shelters, etc.

Here's straight from Salvation Army's main website in regards to the red kettle:


Here's information about the Angel Tree:



So Angel tree uses the wording "less fortunate" and Salvation Army as a whole uses the wording "to aid needy families,etc". I'm not out of the realm of reasoning by mentioning that's what the intent is.

My place is far stingy if you will on the $30-$35 range and don't forget they also have a grocery certificate in addition to that $30-$35 range and that certificate depends on the family size. That's great that not all have a maximum but it doesn't make it bad that my local Salvation Army does. My point was more or less the OP might check their guidelines. Like I described with my work I believe the charities try to make it fair for all and sure not all have maximums. They aren't trying to be mean and say you should only spend this amount but they also want to give each family something versus one family getting a lot because their donor family had the means to buy a lot and another family not a lot because their donor family didn't have the means to buy a lot. Sure the families don't necessarily know but the charity does.

In either case neither one of us is wrong, we don't know what that charity's guidelines are, if they even cared one whit about the hoverboard or video game. You and I have differing opinions there absolutely nothing wrong with that either. Doesn't make me a bad person if I choose to give a child coats/gloves/small toys versus the hoverboard they wanted. Nor does it make you a bad person if you chose to get them that hoverboard.

We'll just agree to disagree on parts and move on.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Wow, I remember doing it one year and it only had one item on it. And it listed a jacket. I guess the Angel trees are all different now.

 

[wenrob]

Does it give the name of the video game? Some games are specific to the game system so if you have a title maybe we could figure out what type you need. Do you know anyone with a truck or bigger vehicle that could possibly transport a bike for you?

 

[disykat]

I stopped doing Angel Trees because I simply couldn't afford it. I don't have a problem at all with people asking for things, but I do have a problem providing more than I've budgeted for the rest of my family. Thankfully our collection at work is divided into individual items that are very clearly labeled so I could simply pick a few things I could get within my budget. The gift giving thing at Christmas is just not my thing and not something my family spends much money on, so now I budget my December charitable giving to organizations that provide food.

For many people, doing Angel Trees gives them great joy and satisfaction. It didn't for me, so I picked a way to give that worked better for me.

As for the OP, I get it. It's hard to get video games when you don't know what system they have or if they have one at all!

 

[Immadismom]

Does it give the name of the video game? Some games are specific to the game system so if you have a title maybe we could figure out what type you need. Do you know anyone with a truck or bigger vehicle that could possibly transport a bike for you?

The list just says Titanfall, which we've looked & it is available for several systems. I had the same thought originally, but no luck.

As for returning the tag & choosing another, that's not really an option. They were all distributed at DH's work meeting, and he says they didn't have a choice to review the tag, if you opted to participate you were just handed one. Next year we'll know and opt to choose one outside of his office, so we can make sure we have a list we can better accommodate. But for this year, we just want to do our best with the child we have.

 

[CarolAnn856]

OP, there are several bikes for under $75 at walmart.com that offer free shipping. Perhaps you could order one and have it delivered to your husband's office. Just trying to think outside the box!

Oh, and if you do get a bike, please consider purchasing a helmet for the child to go with it.

 

[Aliceacc]

OP, the suggestion of ordering a bike with free shipping is a good one. As is the suggestion of a helmet.

I bet that if you explained your predicament to the owner of a bike store, he would find a way to deliver the bike.

Or do you have a neighbor or friend with a slightly larger car who could help you out?

Our church has changed the way we do Christmas donations. Now they'll only take gift cards. They figure that it gives the parents the dignity and fun of actually choosing the gifts they know their kids will like best. It makes so much sense to me-- not as much fun for me, but lots more for the people we're trying to help through a difficult time.

 

[QueenIsabella]

OP, the suggestion of ordering a bike with free shipping is a good one. As is the suggestion of a helmet.

I bet that if you explained your predicament to the owner of a bike store, he would find a way to deliver the bike.

Or do you have a neighbor or friend with a slightly larger car who could help you out?

Our church has changed the way we do Christmas donations. Now they'll only take gift cards. They figure that it gives the parents the dignity and fun of actually choosing the gifts they know their kids will like best. It makes so much sense to me-- not as much fun for me, but lots more for the people we're trying to help through a difficult time.

While the idea of gift cards is nice, I can see a few down sides to them. Depending on the area, stores might not be nearby--when we lived rural, the nearest Target was 45 minutes away. Also, gift cards are easily changed for cash for drugs, thereby depriving the child of the intended gift. I suspect that's why the larger organizations are moving away from them. Now, neither of these issues may come into play for your church--I can see the value in the parents making the selections, and it's nice that they can do so through your program.

A little OT, but when we lived rural (upstate NY), the churches would organize the food/gift drive. They would collect money and donations, and each family would get a large box of food, as well as presents for everyone. DH and I were in the fire dept., so we would help deliver the gifts, the day before Christmas. The food boxes were more or less equal, and the gifts were already wrapped. It was truly a community event.

 

[mjkacmom]

There is always an angel tree at our church this time of year. We only choose ones we are capable of getting.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I'm pretty sure the child who made the list didn't know how much a hover board costs. Heck *I* didn't know until I saw them in a store a while back.

Why shouldn't it stay on the list? Sometimes very generous people pick those tags off of the tree! (Not saying you aren't OP)

My kids ask for ridiculous things on their lists too. it doesn't mean they'll get it. That's why it's a WISH list.

OP I would stick to something like Legos. Most kids in that age range enjoy them.

 

[icicle]

I vote to get the bike. A 20" bike in a box from walmart will not be that big; Assuming your civic, isn't filled with other stuff you should be able to fit it somehow. They are not that small!

I also feel compelled to mention that an "Angel Tree" isn't necessarily sponsored by the salvation army. I think it's pretty common for companies to sponsor these for families in their employ who need help for whatever reason.

 

[wenrob]

I'm pretty sure the child who made the list didn't know how much a hover board costs. Heck *I* didn't know until I saw them in a store a while back.

Why shouldn't it stay on the list? Sometimes very generous people pick those tags off of the tree! (Not saying you aren't OP)

My kids ask for ridiculous things on their lists too. it doesn't mean they'll get it. That's why it's a WISH list.

OP I would stick to something like Legos. Most kids in that age range enjoy them.

My kids put some ridiculous things on their lists as well. They're kids, they dream. You never know what can happen.

SMDH at some of these posts.

OP if it were me I would do my best to make the bike (and a helmet) happen. My grandmother used to collect all the old bikes in her neighborhood, paint and fix them up and donate them to her church and other organizations. I'm sure there are places around you that do the same and can maybe help you out.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am not judging the child/family for what is listed on the Angel Tree Card.
Ultimately it is the organization in charge that decides, and fills out/prints the cards.

PS: About that model pickup truck I mentioned... I think it is hard to say whether the tractor toys or the truck model are either too young or to old!!! Especially since you don't know the particular boy.

I do know that my son liked the more realistic things, and had little interest in 'baby/toddler' toys. And, right now, especially in my region, these souped up pick-up trucks are all the rage.

The tractors were VERY cheap, Black Friday, and an additional $10.00 scratch off card.
And, the model was fairly cheap as well.
I am working on a budget!!!

 

[gillep]

My kids put some ridiculous things on their lists as well. They're kids, they dream. You never know what can happen.

SMDH at some of these posts.

OP if it were me I would do my best to make the bike (and a helmet) happen. My grandmother used to collect all the old bikes in her neighborhood, paint and fix them up and donate them to her church and other organizations. I'm sure there are places around you that do the same and can maybe help you out.

Completely agree with this.

Regarding the bike fitting my husband does triathlons and we have definitely fit his triathlon bike in a Civic rental car with our luggage and the rest of his gear, so there should be no issue fitting a much smaller child's bike. It usually involves folding the back seats down and taking off the front wheel, but I am not even sure that removing the wheel would be necessary with a smaller bike. We have actually never had an issue fitting his bike in any of the rental cars we have received, my husband even drove a Scion Tc for years and his bikes fit just fine.