Presents for 11 y/o girl from Angel Tree

[Kat77]

As a middle school teacher (in an urban area) I always add both socks and underwear (the angel tree we use has sizes). I used to teach PE, and had several girls that would never dress out even though we provided the shirts and shorts. I finally got to the bottom of the story and found our that they were too embarrassed for the other girls to see their underclothes that were old and holey. It was easier to fail PE than to be embarrassed while changing. There were lots of kids who had stories that broke my heart every day! So fun stuff.... but maybe practical stuff too!

This is very thoughtful. I imagine this situation happens a lot! Good thing to know.

This may sound ignorant, but if she's a size 1 in junior pants, are the underwear that size too??

I know this is silly but here is the style my girls prefer- http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/int...71119/St+Eve+3pk+Striped+and+Dot+Hipsters.jsp
DD12 witnessed a girl get bullied about her underwear (pink with little girl print, no holes!) in 5th grade and is is now very particular about undies. Sizing x-sm is jr. 1 and sm is a jr. 3.

 

[Cindy B]

As a middle school teacher (in an urban area) I always add both socks and underwear (the angel tree we use has sizes). I used to teach PE, and had several girls that would never dress out even though we provided the shirts and shorts. I finally got to the bottom of the story and found our that they were too embarrassed for the other girls to see their underclothes that were old and holey. It was easier to fail PE than to be embarrassed while changing. There were lots of kids who had stories that broke my heart every day! So fun stuff.... but maybe practical stuff too!

I don't do PE, so I would have never thought of that. I have the problem with the girls thongs hanging out of thier uniform pants..

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

My family has adopted an 11 year old little girl from the Angel Tree, who only requested school supplies and books. I have gotten her a backpack and 4 books (Little Women, The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and The Nutcracker),. However, I'm at a loss as what else to get her. Money is tight, but I love bargain shopping! All ideas are welcome and appreciated. I was thinking some lip gloss and perfume/body spray maybe? What "toys" do 11 year olds like? TIA!!

I wouldn't buy her anything that can't fit in a backpack. Some of those kids are foster kids and all they have of their own is very little. If you know what size she is of clothing, maybe something warm to wear this winter assuming you are located in a cold place. I think a hat and gloves would always be useful. Keep it simple and not too little girly or she will be made fun of. New underwear is always needed -- no matter who you are -- if you are on the angel tree, I think new underwear is probably not something you have money to buy. Whenever we get clothes for an adopted family at Chirstmas, we always get them some new underwear and socks just as an added part of the outfit. I know they may have a lot of hand me down clothes but hand me down underwear is not something I'd want. HOw about the tiny travel sizes from bath and body?

 

[tinkarooni]

I just wanted to say that not only are you doing a lovely thing, the thought and care you are putting into it is inspiring. Happy Holidays!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

Oh, you've all given me such good ideas! I definitely plan on buying undies now. and thanks for link for the "cool undies" . Thanks for the suggestion about Marshalls... that is a great place for little goodies!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I just wanted to say that not only are you doing a lovely thing, the thought and care you are putting into it is inspiring. Happy Holidays!

Thank you so much!!
This has actually been our most difficult year financially, but I know I am still more fortunate that many others!

 

[libinatorsmom]

Seriously..... get her school supplies... Markers, Colored Pencils, Notebooks, etc... Just do what you feel is right... I am sure there is an 11 year old that will love every item you send... I know my daughter would love the items you listed.. I am surprised at the comments... You are an angel for helping...

 

[kayrosek]

I agree with alot of the other comments especially the underwear and the binder/trapper keeper. Both my daughters insist on binders for school. My eleven year old loves toe socks (the ones that look kinda like gloves.) Funky knee socks might be cute but still keep her warm in the winter if her clothes are worn. For a totally impratical but cheap thing that is all the rage at my daughters school how about silly bands.

 

[Cindy B]

I agree with alot of the other comments especially the underwear and the binder/trapper keeper. Both my daughters insist on binders for school. My eleven year old loves toe socks (the ones that look kinda like gloves.) Funky knee socks might be cute but still keep her warm in the winter if her clothes are worn. For a totally impratical but cheap thing that is all the rage at my daughters school how about silly bands.

as for the silly bands, they may be banned from the school. Around here silly bands were in last spring around Easter time and the popularity waned down to nothing over the summer. Some kids still wear them though. In my current school, the silly bands are not part of uniform so they are banned. Trapper Keepers are good if they are into that, but they don't fit into my schools lockers and the lockers at my daughters middle school (small 1/4 lockers) Toe socks are fun.

 

[hambirg]

Do the schools in your area have uniforms? If they do, a lot of the stores have left overs on clearance right now. I used to teach in an inner city school. . .students from the homeless shelters. . in and out of foster homes, etc. I would frequently buy up the white polos when they were on clearance and give them to my students at Christmas. Some of them only had one, and honestly, I couldn't stand to see them come to school one more day in the same ratty polo. They rarely get new clothes. I think a cute cheap hoody and/or graphic-t, like the ones they have at Walmart in the jrs section, would be put to good use too.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, almost all of the schools in my city ban the trapper-keepers for some reason.

If you live in a colder part of the country, a NICE pr. of long underwear would be a really good gift -- a silk pr. or a tech wicking pr, not that awful bulky cotton stuff. Kids that ride public transit buses to and from school tend to spend a lot of time outside waiting for them, and I can tell that their legs are always freezing because they tend to be wearing short jackets. Jeans are NOT warm.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

a nice backpack. A STURDY backpack that will last for several years. And you could fill it with the things you buy. I'd also include sugarless gum. My DD is always asking for gum.