Tree's for "needy" kids

[CharmCityGirl]

Great point. I certainly didnt call my kids greedy for requesting such items on their list. Why is it any different?

I'm not calling the children greedy, well maybe some of the older ones who don't believe in Santa anymore and very likely are aware that the gifts are coming from an Angel-type tree. But there is a chartity organization involved here. I would hope that the charity would recognize the fact that the chance that the children will receive the high priced gifts is not probable. Possible? Yes. Probable? No, as evidenced by this thread. The charity should work with the children to get a wish list with items of varying price ranges. I'm not sure why they don't do this. It's ok to ask for the PS3, but also list some more realistic alternatives.

 

[Forevryoung]

My kids always knew to write "practical" lists for Santa. Never once did I have a dream big impossible to afford item. Not all kids are like that--mine weren't.

I read this and thought "How sad!" Everyone should have wishes and dreams and they can be told outloud. "Santa" is just one way to express them because of the magic of the season. Wishes and dreams aren't always impossible, if all of them never came true people would never have something bigger and better to strive for.

If I didn't dream big and work hard, I would be sitting in my parents home, probably on government assistance. Instead, I am 270 miles away from home getting my masters degree on a grant. Who knew that I would be paid to get my degree (grant is worth around $60,000 over 2 years)? I wished very hard on that one, my fingers were crossed for months. And when it came true, I jumped up and down, screamed, with tears running down my face, and beamed from ear to ear for days after. A highlight of my year.

I was just discussing this with my DBF and he says he's creating his list for Santa and it includes a $4,000 laptop, a bigger sailboat, and cash for his mom. He knows he is not getting any of it for "free", but he can dream.

 

[MELSMICE]

Great point. I certainly didnt call my kids greedy for requesting such items on their list. Why is it any different?

Although - I did ask if they were out of their mind.

These are kids we are talking about. Maybe they have a blanket and a warm coat - or maybe theyre willing to be cold, cuz they want an iPod SOOOO bad. You dont have to buy it for them, but the name calling of kids??? Good greif!!!

I also don't understand what's so bad with asking? Why is a child that doesn't have much greedy because they are asking for a big ticket item?

 

[MELSMICE]

I read this and thought "How sad!"

I'm glad someone else responded to this also. I thought something simliar & then thought maybe I was crazy for thinking that way.

My kids always knew to write "practical" lists for Santa. Never once did I have a dream big impossible to afford item. Not all kids are like that--mine weren't.

IMO, Christmas is not about asking for something practical. It's about asking for a gift - something you may not buy for yourself, something that is not needed, but hoped for.

If I was being practical on Christmas & birthdays I would be asking for a new electric can opener, a new frying pan/griddle, some new kitchen gadets (sp?), along with some new bath towels. Not fun, IMO!

We can be practical the other 364 days of the year - on Christmas it's about the dream, the wish, the hope & the magic.

 

[golfgal]

With all due respect... you DON'T know that the child won't get a high ticket item that was donated. Unless you donate it, personally deliver and then do a follow up investigation, you don't know.

I'm not saying that I am going to buy these things... I couldn't afford them if I wanted to. But I don't think it's greedy for a child to WISH for those things on Christmas.

I have to stop... this thread is sucking all of the Christmas spirit I have right out of me

With all do respect I DO KNOW that very, very often the donated gifts are returned or they TRY to return the gifts for cash. We mark all our donated gifts and every year the stores give us an accounting of what things people attempted to return.

We also have gotten things back the next year that we had marked, which is GREAT, because they are things their family could not use and they are re-donating them.

I would love to have the world perfect and not have abuse of people's generosity but I have too much personal experience with it to know better. It doesn't stop me from volunteering for these organizations because MOST people that do use them do have a need but there are always those select few--like the lady that had 7 children in 4 years, none of them were multiple births--that ruin it for others.

 

[chobie]

I'm glad someone else responded to this also. I thought something simliar & then thought maybe I was crazy for thinking that way.



IMO, Christmas is not about asking for something practical. It's about asking for a gift - something you may not buy for yourself, something that is not needed, but hoped for.

If I was being practical on Christmas & birthdays I would be asking for a new electric can opener, a new frying pan/griddle, some new kitchen gadets (sp?), along with some new bath towels. Not fun, IMO!

We can be practical the other 364 days of the year - on Christmas it's about the dream, the wish, the hope & the magic.

There is nothing wrong with teaching your kids to only ask for practical things, but kids that do that have to be in the extreme minority.

 

[dodukes]

I have been reading the thread along and cant believe some of the things i have read but i did want to point out something i saw on our local news channel last xmas.

They were doing a report on how Shaquille O'neal was at Santa's Enchanted Forest (its like a fair type xmas thing here at a local park) passing out things to the foster/less fortunate(i dont know if it was foster kids, i think it was), most of them in the teens but there were a few smaller ones. They were there on a trip and he went over to give them some holiday cheer and gifts. He was passing out things like Laptops, ipods, gaming stuff and other "high ticket" items. I mean the guy had a truck load of them. (somehow he got the "sold out" stuff..lol) The kids were thrilled!!! It was really nice to see.

And i know what some posters here will say that that is Shaq and most of us arent so we cant afford that. And thats fine, i agree with you, i can hardly afford that for myself but i wouldnt be upset if i saw it on a wishlist for a kid, 16/17 included, they are still kids after all (and some of them may not have a mom or dad or both). So just becuase most of us cant afford something like this for them doesnt mean they shouldnt ask for it, thats what most kids want and theres going to be someone out there who is willing and able to provide those things that they most want.

 

[goofygirl]

I read this and thought "How sad!" Everyone should have wishes and dreams and they can be told outloud. "Santa" is just one way to express them because of the magic of the season. Wishes and dreams aren't always impossible, if all of them never came true people would never have something bigger and better to strive for.

If I didn't dream big and work hard, I would be sitting in my parents home, probably on government assistance. Instead, I am 270 miles away from home getting my masters degree on a grant. Who knew that I would be paid to get my degree (grant is worth around $60,000 over 2 years)? I wished very hard on that one, my fingers were crossed for months. And when it came true, I jumped up and down, screamed, with tears running down my face, and beamed from ear to ear for days after. A highlight of my year.

I was just discussing this with my DBF and he says he's creating his list for Santa and it includes a $4,000 laptop, a bigger sailboat, and cash for his mom. He knows he is not getting any of it for "free", but he can dream.

Dreaming is OK- to a point. You have to be realistic.

I mean, I can dream about someday marrying a great childfree guy who has money and living in a nice big house, and traveling the globe and sailing on a boat- BUT I know the reality is that none of this will ever happen.

It's not sad to be logical and to have your feet on the ground. It's wise.

No way would I give a "needy" kid an expensive gift.

 

[chobie]

And i know what some posters here will say that that is Shaq and most of us arent so we cant afford that. And thats fine, i agree with you, i can hardly afford that for myself but i wouldnt be upset if i saw it on a wishlist for a kid, 16/17 included, they are still kids after all (and some of them may not have a mom or dad or both). So just becuase most of us cant afford something like this for them doesnt mean they shouldnt ask for it, thats what most kids want and theres going to be someone out there who is willing and able to provide those things that they most want.

I agree and in fact, since teens are so close to becoming adults in our society maybe that one last act of kindness given to them before becoming an adult will inspire them to want to achieve in life so that someday they can give back.

 

[dodukes]

No way would I give a "needy" kid an expensive gift.

I didnt want to post on this thread because i didnt want to get into arguments but over and over this is what i keep seeing here and i wonder..

why?

Are they not as deserving of a nice gift as your own children or other children who are not needy?

 

[MELSMICE]

There is nothing wrong with teaching your kids to only ask for practical things, but kids that do that have to be in the extreme minority.

You are right.

 

[MELSMICE]

I didnt want to post on this thread because i didnt want to get into arguments but over and over this is what i keep seeing here and i wonder..

why?

Are they not as deserving of a nice gift as your own children or other children who are not needy?

I wonder the same thing.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I'm going to ask a very stupid question.

What happens to all the kids that don't get picked from the "Angel Tree" or whatever? Does the Salvation Army (or whoever) go "Sorry kid, Santa's not coming to your house this year."

TOV

 

[dustysky]

but there are always those select few--like the lady that had 7 children in 4 years, none of them were multiple births--that ruin it for others.

I was going to mention that part also, but it will bring this thread way .

 

[dodukes]

I'm going to ask a very stupid question.

What happens to all the kids that don't get picked from the "Angel Tree" or whatever? Does the Salvation Army (or whoever) go "Sorry kid, Santa's not coming to your house this year."

TOV

You know I wonder the same thing. There is a tree in. It looks like not a single "ornament" has been picked off that tree, I wonder if they just will not get anything?

 

[dustysky]

You know I wonder the same thing. There is a tree in. It looks like not a single "ornament" has been picked off that tree, I wonder if they just will not get anything?

Thats exactly what they will get, the stuff most people CAN aford to buy and donate. Not the stuff the average working class families can not get for there own kids.

*edited: Sorry I miss read your statment, they will infact get gifts. As I said above.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I didnt want to post on this thread because i didnt want to get into arguments but over and over this is what i keep seeing here and i wonder..

why?

Are they not as deserving of a nice gift as your own children or other children who are not needy?

So only expensive gifts are nice?

 

[dodukes]

Thats exactly what they will get, the stuff most people CAN aford to buy and donate. Not the stuff the average working class families can not get for there own kids.

*edited: Sorry I miss read your statment, they will infact get gifts. As I said above.

It's ok, ive done that before but you are right i was not referring to the other comment just to that what happens to all those "ornaments/angels" still on the tree.

 

[dodukes]

So only expensive gifts are nice?

I didn't say that. And for the sake of not arguing I will leave it at that.

 

[mickeyfan2]

It's ok, ive done that before but you are right i was not referring to the other comment just to that what happens to all those "ornaments/angels" still on the tree.

The SA will either shuffle a few gifts from those who got many gifts or use the donations they received to buy a gift(s). I was told that once you are on a tree you will get something. I also believe that many of the stores see the trees as great PR and money makers (since most of the stuff bought will come from that store - in general) and take on the cost of covering all that are left on the tree by a certain date. This could just be my SA only.