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

[tarheelmjfan]

I would also try to get the bike, if at all possible. That's the best way to avoid disappointment. If not, maybe look for something else active he could use outside. Something like a really nice skateboard with whatever upgrades they may have now. Its been a long time since I bought one. I absolutely wouldn't even consider Lego for the child that made that wishlist. Some kids that age love Lego. My experience with DS, nephews & DS's friends is at least as many don't. This doesn't sound like a Lego kid to me.

 

[luvsJack]

I think we're going to go with a giftcard to the game store, a nice outfit, and one other toy item, unless we figure something out with the bike. 20 inch definitely won't fit in the trunk of our Civic.

I would try for the bike as much as possible. How far is Walmart or Target or Toy R Us from the drop off center? Maybe they would deliver it for you? Or someone you know could pick it up? Or maybe walmart.com would deliver it to the drop off center instead of your house?

 

[luvsJack]

In all honesty the intent is to give to families in need;for my local salvation army they give to seniors and when I googled other salvation armies around the nation also give to prisoners;some also give $ for rent, battered shelters, etc. Every area for Salvation Army at least has different guidelines. That's why I said the OP should check with the place they got the Angel Tree.

I completely understand about the child not understanding the hoverboard..that's why it should have been removed prior to being put on the tree. The child put what they wanted and for most children though not all they aren't aware of the costs associated with things. I know for Christmas as a child I would have loved a Razor scooter over a coat any day.

As to the $100 part my company set that guideline. Think about it..if one team of 10-14 people did $200 to one family but another team did $50 how is that fair?? Most of the time they did in-house fundraising like bake sales, or raffles. The company already pushed March of Dimes (their biggest charity they gave to) and their own in-house charity fund for fellow employees. I myself donated through my paycheck each year $400 to March of Dimes. So yes $100 was a good max.

To your bolded part I didn't say it pains me at all (though yes I know you were speaking as a general comment) I was speaking in regards to the OP's list. I mean really the guideline in our area says $30-$35 per child/senior (ETA: PLUS a grocery certificate for a holiday meal)........they are not expecting nor encouraging people to go all out and go buy a bunch of stuff and going over budget perse. It's doubtful that any place would really advocate buying a several hundred dollar hoverboard when in reality what is more in line with programs like that are you know food, clothing, coats/gloves,etc, small toys. Video games can be expensive too and they require the receipient to have that specific gaming device. As for the bike I did mention a lower end bike. That to me is no problem and on this thread alone someone mentioned a bike for $50 and another person mentioned a bike for $38 (which would be pretty close to the $30-$35 range my area expects).

That's all well and good for YOUR area but its obviously not that way every where. The Angel Tree here always has a bunch that ask for bikes. Some do ask for more expensive gifts like XBox or other gaming systems. When dropping things off at the Salvation Army, I have noticed that some of those things are purchased so perhaps some of our higher income neighbors have picked those children or someone without children of their own and can afford to spend the money. I just feel blessed to live in an area where so many are willing to give.

If a group goes together and picks a child from the tree, many times, they will intentionally get a child who has asked for a more expensive item because 10 people can afford it more than 1.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That's all well and good for YOUR area but its obviously not that way every where. The Angel Tree here always has a bunch that ask for bikes. Some do ask for more expensive gifts like XBox or other gaming systems. When dropping things off at the Salvation Army, I have noticed that some of those things are purchased so perhaps some of our higher income neighbors have picked those children or someone without children of their own and can afford to spend the money. I just feel blessed to live in an area where so many are willing to give.

If a group goes together and picks a child from the tree, many times, they will intentionally get a child who has asked for a more expensive item because 10 people can afford it more than 1.

I already told the other person with the differing opinions and whatnot that we'll just agree to disagree and move on. So I'm going to go with the same line here too.

 

[mjkacmom]

I already told the other person with the differing opinions and whatnot that we'll just agree to disagree and move on. So I'm going to go with the same line here too.

I understand the concept of disagreeing, but you honestly don't believe that there are different types of angel trees? I think it's sad that a poor kid should expect socks and gloves- everyone should gets want vs a need for the holidays.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I understand the concept of disagreeing, but you honestly don't believe that there are different types of angel trees? I think it's sad that a poor kid should expect socks and gloves- everyone should gets want vs a need for the holidays.

I actually mentioned several times previously that each area is different with different guidelines, each charity it different and the OP should check with the particular one where they got the angel from..so yes I understand the difference.

 

[nkereina]

Just an idea in lieu of the video game - Amazon has Fire tablets for $50 right now. The boy would certainly have access to lots of games on that. Just a thought! Good luck, many kudos for taking the time and money to do this!

 

[teller80]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've always just assumed the names were "fake" and that the charity would open and distribute them as fairly as possible. Unless your nametag says "Jack 24601", how would they be able to distinguish it from a number of kids randomly named "Jack"? And what if Jacks sister Susie's name doesn't get picked (have you ever seen an empty tree?), does the charity give her a note that says better luck next time kid?

 

[pryncess527]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've always just assumed the names were "fake" and that the charity would open and distribute them as fairly as possible. Unless your nametag says "Jack 24601", how would they be able to distinguish it from a number of kids randomly named "Jack"? And what if Jacks sister Susie's name doesn't get picked (have you ever seen an empty tree?), does the charity give her a note that says better luck next time kid?

I've always figured that there are general funds to fill in gaps once donations are made. For the Angel Tree we are doing (which is through a local organization, not SA) I have been given specific children's names, favorite colors and clothing sizes along with a handful of fun items the kids asked for.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've always just assumed the names were "fake" and that the charity would open and distribute them as fairly as possible. Unless your nametag says "Jack 24601", how would they be able to distinguish it from a number of kids randomly named "Jack"? And what if Jacks sister Susie's name doesn't get picked (have you ever seen an empty tree?), does the charity give her a note that says better luck next time kid?

It varies a lot, based on who sets up the giving tree. And, trees are organized by many, many different groups, everything from a local chapter of a national organization to an individual school taking care of some of their own students. There is definitely no one-size fits all when it comes to how these charitable opportunities are organized.

 

[Liberty Belle]

DH brought home an Angel Tree tag for a 9 yr old boy. We're headed out this weekend to purchase the gifts. The wish list only lists a 20 inch bike, a hover board, and a video game but does not list for what game system.

So, we're not sure what to get! DH has no way of transporting a bike to the donation drop off site. The hover board is out of our budget. And we don't know what system to get the game for.

What would you do? We're going to get an outfit based on his sizes listed. But I really want some fun stuff too. Our kids are much older than 9, so no clue what a 9 yr old would even play with.

That's a hard one. Could he not choose which one he wanted?

I think I'd either do a handheld video game system with a couple games (if it's in your budget) or a gift card to Game Stop. It sounds like the boy is an active kid. Maybe you could get him some cool remote control helicopter and extra batteries?

 

[smiths02]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've always just assumed the names were "fake" and that the charity would open and distribute them as fairly as possible. Unless your nametag says "Jack 24601", how would they be able to distinguish it from a number of kids randomly named "Jack"? And what if Jacks sister Susie's name doesn't get picked (have you ever seen an empty tree?), does the charity give her a note that says better luck next time kid?

I contribute to food drives and Toys for Tots, which are for families in need.

I also do an Angel Tree, the ones I do are generally foster children. They have ages and preferences.

 

[Liberty Belle]

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!

I'm in charge of the "angel tree" at my church and I make sure to only put one item per tag. That way if someone can only afford to get a pair of gloves, they can leave the video game or bike for another person to choose. Some people at our church choose just one tag and others choose a bunch.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

Does anybody here have a boy about 4 years old. We have a card for a 4 year old.
It lists trucks and tractors. (Just like DS at that age!)
I got two simple John Deer toys. About 6"-7". Not the expensive detailed fully hinged models (which DS loved). They are the tractor and a mule, with big oversized rubbery tires, and buttons on top to make engine and beeping sounds. Does that sound good for a 4 year old???
Also got a nice model (not cheap toy) Chevy/GMC souped up pick-up truck with wench/bumper, big roll bars in the truck bed behind the cab, with some gasoline cans and stuff in the truck bed. (not sure if they are easily removed or not?)

Does this sound okay for that age?

They are listing only a couple simple toy preferences, and the main items are the clothing and shoe sizes. I also bought a nice shirt with a cool full sized John Deere graphic on the front.

I have an almost 4 year old son who finds those trucks and cars with lights and sound entertaining (when we see them in the toy section in Target). His interests are more superhero/TMNT so I wouldn't buy them for him (he'd lose interest), but I think the two John Deere toys sound alright. The model might be more for older kids - my son has a real talent at destroying cooler, more expensive toys. I usually stick with Imaginext for him.


To the OP, I would really try to make the bike happen, and if having it sent to your husband's work will facilitate that, I would go for it.

 

[BLAZEY]

I work with our local christmas charity, Santa's Anonymous. If you get the bike, please if you can afford get a helmet. We won't release a bike for a gift without ensuring there is a helmet included as it illegal to ride without a helmet here. Our local Fire hall actual has some the bring to pick up day to ensure there is a helmet.

For our "bears" the names are coded but the ages and gender are real. The "name" is linked back to an actual child. For example if the bear said Timmy-boy age 6. It is an actual boy age 6, his real name is just not Timmy. We suggest $40-$50 per gift and each child gets 2 gifts on 2 separate "bears". The family also gets a food hamper and a grocery gift card with the value depending on the family size for fresh produce, dairy, meat. The food hamper is 3 bags and valued at about $200 retail. This is made possible by our wonderful partnership with a large local grocery chain which we purchase the food at their cost!

Thank you to all that donate at this time of year whether it's time volunteering, giving cash donations to these charities, or by sponsoring a gift. As a child our Christmas season began with a trip to the mall, dinner at the food court and a trip to the wish tree to pick our bear!

 

[scrapquitler]

The local program where we donate has the tree with tags on it, and it might say Girl #18, Age 6 Hoodie size 8. There will also be another tag somewhere on the tree that says Girl #18, age 6 but it will have the name of a toy/game/other fun item that she wants. Each child gets three tags: a warm clothing item, a toy/game and something more practical. I have never seen any tag on our local tree ask for a video game system or a video game. I did grab a tag last year that was for a teenage boy and the request was "Pink Floyd CD", Most of the items on the list are very modest like that. Every family also gets a food basket.

 

[Aliceacc]

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.
.

Granted.

But there's a mall, with a Target, a Disney Store, Macys, Yankee Candle, you name it, about a mile north of the church. There's a Stop and Shop less than a mile away. And Kohls, Home Depot, Toys R Us, Walmart.. . you name it, all less than a 10 minute drive from here. We are absolutely in the suburbs, and the area abounds in stores.

As to the cash for drugs angle: while it never occurred to me, I'm not saying it doesn't happen. But I think the idea is that the church prefers to think that the vast majority of families are simply down on their luck, and will do right by their families with the gift cards.

It was always fun shopping for the gifts, but I think this method goes a lot further in terms of Christmas spirit.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Why would you pick a tag with items you have no intention of buying? You look at the tag and decide if you can afford/want to buy it. There are all different types of items. Some expensive some not. As for the bike- slide it into your car and tie the trunk down. Not to sound terrible but if you bought a bike for yourself that's how you'd probably have to get it home. I think you are overthinking it. Good luck.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I would try and get the bike. At nine, this may be his last Christmas believing in Santa, and it would certainly make it magical! I expect the store employees would be willing to help you fit it in your car, but if you really don't think it will work, ask around. I have a big car, and it know if a friend asked me to pick up bike in it for Christmas, I'd be happy to help!

 

[wilkeliza]

Why would you pick a tag with items you have no intention of buying? You look at the tag and decide if you can afford/want to buy it. There are all different types of items. Some expensive some not. As for the bike- slide it into your car and tie the trunk down. Not to sound terrible but if you bought a bike for yourself that's how you'd probably have to get it home. I think you are overthinking it. Good luck.

OP clarified that her husband was not able to pick a tag he was given one at work after agreeing to do this.


OP an idea on the bike why not buy it online and have it delivered to you DH's office since that seems to be the drop off point?