How much do you spend on Angel Tree gifts?

[TruBlu]

I know it is kind of tacky to ask, but I was wondering how much most people spend. I usually try to get the requested item (or a couple of them if it is a toy). Do you think the angel tree gift is the only one they get? We always take more than one name, so I try to keep the gifts at a reasonable price (usually less than $50).

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

I have two stars. I plan on about 50 each.

 

[dzneelvr]

The amount is usually far less than $50 because DD and I make it a project to search out clearance items. We hit the jackpot at Steve and Barry's last week hoodies for $2.98; hot pink down jacket for $9.99...our "angel" got 5 seperate packages but I bet we spent $30 maybe. That's what's fun!

 

[TruBlu]

I have two stars. I plan on about 50 each.

Thanks! I was worried that I wasn't giving very good gifts because the ones under the tree had several packages tied together.

 

[TruBlu]

The amount is usually far less than $50 because DD and I make it a project to search out clearance items. We hit the jackpot at Steve and Barry's last week hoodies for $2.98; hot pink down jacket for $9.99...our "angel" got 5 seperate packages but I bet we spent $30 maybe. That's what's fun!

WOW! I need to shop with you!!!!!

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

I think it depends on the situation. For instance, my DS's school has a "giving tree" and I'll contribute, but won't spend much.

Yet, at the church, they have an "Angel Tree" for very poor children. This is more of a desperate type situation. I have spent between $3-400 on one child before.

 

[EthansMom]

DS's grades school sponsors a family (from a nearby shelter) each Christmas. It's usually a mom and two or three children. I usually spend around $30 on one or more items for the family. There are about 75 families with kids attending our school. If the average family at our school contributes as I do (75 x $30), then the family we sponsor is having a pretty good Christmas.

 

[ead79]

I think that what you're spending sounds perfectly nice. I do think that often the only presents an Angel Tree child receives are the ones that are donated. It's a wonderful charity to help! This year DH and I did the adopt a granny tree at our church instead (you get presents for someone at a nursing home that doesn't have any family).

 

[taterules]

At our Angel Tree, they put up a sign starting a couple years ago that you really should get one of each type of clothing item (pants, shirt, etc.) along with at least 1 toy if it's a child for whoever you select from the tree. I don't know if that's the expectation everywhere, but you could ask the volunteers there when you select off the tree. I don't shoot for any specific dollar amount, as long as I'm getting quality items that meet their needs.

 

[Deb in IA]

The Angel Tree tags at our church specifically state "$20 range".

 

[MyManGoofy!]

I picked 2 brothers and got them everything on the list - about $65 dollars each. The majority of the list was made up of clothing.

 

[disneymom3]

We jsut started a giving tree at our church. We only have one star per child and some people will buy lots of things and some will buy just one. Our thought was that we wanted people to feel they could give no matter what their budget. Then, we also put a lot of ornaments on there asking for giftcards to Target or Walmart. The other woman and I who put it all together are then going to use some of those gift cards if needed to even out the gifts within families. For instance, if one child in a family gets several gifts, but the little brother only gets an outfit, we will take a gift card or two and fill in with a few other things. It was made clear to people donating giftcards that some would be given directly to families and some will be used to meet unmet needs that were listed for the kids.

 

[Beth76]

I got 3 tags from ours. One was for cleaning supplies and I probably spent about $30. One was for a girls robe and I found a very cute, very soft one for $16. One was for a boys coat and I found a Nautica coat at Marshall's for $24. It said it was "irregular condition" and I asked the sales ladies what that meant and they said it could be anything from crooked stitching to the wrong color. I felt a little guilty buying "irregular" but I checked it out thoroughly and didn't see anything wrong with it. Even the sales lady looked it over. It was truly one of the nicer coats they had.

 

[goofy's friends]

I try to stay around $50 for one tag. We usually get 3--one for each of my kids to buy for. We then shop at walmart or somewhere similar to make the $$ go farther. They generally get nice presents for that money--clothes and toys. If they ask for a bike or something else real expensive like electronics, I don't do that.

 

[mickeyfan2]

The Angel Tree tags at our church specifically state "$20 range".

The local Salvation Army is thinking of doing this. I pointed out that one person could buy a single gift for $20 paying full price while another can be a great shopper and get many gifts for $20 by using coupons and clearance and only spend $20 and get $50+ in full price merchandise. I told them there are too many restrictions being put on the giver and it takes away from the season.

 

[puffkin]

If I do a Salvation Army/Angel Tree gift I usually try to buy an outfit and a toy item. Usually spend about $30-$35.

Someone at my office is involved with an organization that does something similar. However, they interviewed the parents for what the children wanted/needed. Each child had several tags that were very specific. That way each child will have several gifts under the tree and the descriptions aren't as vague. I picked a girl whose said Jeans as well as another girls who said Barbie/Bratz dolls and accessories.

My godmother is a secretary at a law firm. All the partners donate money towards the Angel Tree and they get about 50 tags a year. Then all the secretaries go out and shop for the kids. She said it usually breaks down to about $40 a kid.