What happened to reasonable on the angel trees this year?

[Wishing on a star]

I blame the Wisemen.

 

[C.Ann]

I don't find it at all unusual that these kids would wish for the same things that other more fortunate children are wishing for - and may very well receive.. However, it is just a "wish" (like I always "wished" for a pony) and I would assume that just like any other child, they are aware that their wish may not be granted..

If one can afford to make a wish come true - and they choose to - it's a wonderfully generous thing to do.. If they can't (or prefer not to), one can always donate a different gift - one that they feel is more appropriate.. Seems to me that either of those choices will solve any problems quite nicely..

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I blame the Wisemen.

 

[Polyluvr]

I have two problems with the Angel Tree:

1. The clothing sizes are not very clear. We chose a pre-teen girl. The sizes could have been either children's or junior's. So, I asked several salespeople for help and they all agreed that it could go either way. I finally just bought the kid sizes and put a note on the bag that it may not be right, but hopefully they could give the clothes to a different child if my sizes were wrong.

2. I wish you could adopt a family instead of one child. I usually buy 2-3 outfits, p.j.'s, a coat, and several toys/gifts for my angel. I would hate to have his/her siblings only get a couple of gifts.


All that being said, my DD10 picked out our angel. I gave her a budget and yesterday she bought quite a few things and spent time shopping for items on sale. Also, when I was content to do things like buy a hoodie, she insisted on buying a full winter coat so that her angel would stay warm. Our angel mainly wanted items to decorate her room, so that's what we did instead of toys. However, she also wanted a Project Runway gift, which we didn't buy. I did, however, have one already wrapped in the attic for DD. I told her that I had a toy the angel would like, but I wouldn't tell her which toy. I just told her to tell me 'yes' or 'no' as to whether or not she wanted to give it away. When, I pulled it out, she said, "Oh. I really wanted this. Oh well, I'll get other things to play with and she probably doesn't have toys." Then, she added it to the bag. She literally skipped into the delivery site saying, "This is so much fun!" and, she wanted to grab another angel and start again (I had to tell her it wasn't in budget this year).

So...if you have problems with the Angel Tree's wants vs. needs, choose a different angel. Or, take a child who has a lot with you and find the true meaning of Christmas through their eyes.


p.s. DD was in and out of foster homes for the first 4 years of her life. She used to be someone's 'angel' and now that she is forever mine, I am blessed to learn compassion from her.

That was a beautiful story~ Thank you for sharing

 

[mumom95]

I blame the Wisemen.

 

[southern_redhead]

I'm sorry. But you're kidding right?

I have 3 children because I could reasonable afford 3 children and give them the things that were important. Now, two of them are grown and out of the house and I have one DD left at home.

My budget for her Christmas was around $1000.

Are you saying if I took an angel tree child that I should spend $1000 on them? Because they deserve as much as *my* child.

Sorry, but I don't owe anyone anything. Except for the children I brought into this world and am responsible for.

I doubt they meant you should take the amount you are spending on DD and spend it on an Angel. I think what they meant was that you shouldn't say that you DD is "entitled" to ask for Webkinz (for example) but an Angel should be ashamed to and shouldn't want more than a dollar store stuffed animal.

Year before last we adopted a family with 3 kids. My mom, a friend , and I went in and bought each kid a DS, a couple of games, and a toy. Another friend bought clothing for them. My friend's mother asked her Sunday school class to chip in to help her and her DD buy the DS/games and they did. My mom asked her Sunday school class to donate items for stockings. We had put together a list of ideas: Toothbrushes, hair bands, crayons, gum, etc... Out of a dozen women ONE gave something - she brought my mom a box with an old handkerchief, a used (and filthy) make up bag, and a BROKEN Christmas pin This was not a woman doing the best she could either, she is very wealthy and could have bought each kid a $1 coloring book and a pack of crayons. I never said anything to her but I did dump the box in the trash and go buy the stuff for stockings myself.

This year my mom and I are buying for them again. I know they still have the DS's (suprised a bit because there are older brothers who like to steal so I am amazed they haven't pawned them) so they will each get a game. The girl is getting Monster High doll/journal and Squinkies, Mom is getting her a Zhu Zhu DS game and I had a hamster that I wasn't going to give to the kids so she put that with it. She is also getting some shirts, pjs, and a robe (she wanted pjs and a robe for a dress up day at school, she didn't have them.) The boys are older and we don't know them as well (the girl is in DD's class.) They are getting a hoodie or shirt and a gift card to go with their game. I sincerely hope that they get to USE the gift card on themselves, it isn't the way I'd choose to go with the older brothers prowling but I will pray for the best.

My kids are getting a ton for Christmas - these kids are getting a few things each BUT they are things I would or am giving to my kids. Not generic or old toys because I think they should "take what they are given." It isn't their fault their parents are split up, stepdad is in jail, mom is lazy. If I can brighten one day for them I will.

 

[luvsJack]

I doubt they meant you should take the amount you are spending on DD and spend it on an Angel. I think what they meant was that you shouldn't say that you DD is "entitled" to ask for Webkinz (for example) but an Angel should be ashamed to and shouldn't want more than a dollar store stuffed animal.

Year before last we adopted a family with 3 kids. My mom, a friend , and I went in and bought each kid a DS, a couple of games, and a toy. Another friend bought clothing for them. My friend's mother asked her Sunday school class to chip in to help her and her DD buy the DS/games and they did. My mom asked her Sunday school class to donate items for stockings. We had put together a list of ideas: Toothbrushes, hair bands, crayons, gum, etc... Out of a dozen women ONE gave something - she brought my mom a box with an old handkerchief, a used (and filthy) make up bag, and a BROKEN Christmas pin This was not a woman doing the best she could either, she is very wealthy and could have bought each kid a $1 coloring book and a pack of crayons. I never said anything to her but I did dump the box in the trash and go buy the stuff for stockings myself.

This year my mom and I are buying for them again. I know they still have the DS's (suprised a bit because there are older brothers who like to steal so I am amazed they haven't pawned them) so they will each get a game. The girl is getting Monster High doll/journal and Squinkies, Mom is getting her a Zhu Zhu DS game and I had a hamster that I wasn't going to give to the kids so she put that with it. She is also getting some shirts, pjs, and a robe (she wanted pjs and a robe for a dress up day at school, she didn't have them.) The boys are older and we don't know them as well (the girl is in DD's class.) They are getting a hoodie or shirt and a gift card to go with their game. I sincerely hope that they get to USE the gift card on themselves, it isn't the way I'd choose to go with the older brothers prowling but I will pray for the best.

My kids are getting a ton for Christmas - these kids are getting a few things each BUT they are things I would or am giving to my kids. Not generic or old toys because I think they should "take what they are given." It isn't their fault their parents are split up, stepdad is in jail, mom is lazy. If I can brighten one day for them I will.

You sound like a great person! Thats great that you were able to put all that together for them. And how nice that they will have a good Christmas. With what you say about the older brothers, maybe you made an impression on them too!

DD and I have already been talking about buying ahead for next year's angel tree child. She wants to start at the after Christmas sales! (hopefully we will be able to pick a girl the same age as dd again)

And I think you get what a lot have been trying to say. I spend about $300 on dd for Christmas. I don't think I am supposed to spend that much on the child we adopt, but I do agree that the child isn't any less "entitled" to the "good" stuff as dd!

Oh, and just a note, please, please, don't judge most Sunday school classes by the response you got from your mom's (shame on them!). I know with our Sunday school classes, if you mention someone needing help they go all out and its almost overwhelming in how much they reach out.

 

[LukenDC]

I doubt they meant you should take the amount you are spending on DD and spend it on an Angel. I think what they meant was that you shouldn't say that you DD is "entitled" to ask for Webkinz (for example) but an Angel should be ashamed to and shouldn't want more than a dollar store stuffed animal.

Year before last we adopted a family with 3 kids. My mom, a friend , and I went in and bought each kid a DS, a couple of games, and a toy. Another friend bought clothing for them. My friend's mother asked her Sunday school class to chip in to help her and her DD buy the DS/games and they did. My mom asked her Sunday school class to donate items for stockings. We had put together a list of ideas: Toothbrushes, hair bands, crayons, gum, etc... Out of a dozen women ONE gave something - she brought my mom a box with an old handkerchief, a used (and filthy) make up bag, and a BROKEN Christmas pin This was not a woman doing the best she could either, she is very wealthy and could have bought each kid a $1 coloring book and a pack of crayons. I never said anything to her but I did dump the box in the trash and go buy the stuff for stockings myself.

This year my mom and I are buying for them again. I know they still have the DS's (suprised a bit because there are older brothers who like to steal so I am amazed they haven't pawned them) so they will each get a game. The girl is getting Monster High doll/journal and Squinkies, Mom is getting her a Zhu Zhu DS game and I had a hamster that I wasn't going to give to the kids so she put that with it. She is also getting some shirts, pjs, and a robe (she wanted pjs and a robe for a dress up day at school, she didn't have them.) The boys are older and we don't know them as well (the girl is in DD's class.) They are getting a hoodie or shirt and a gift card to go with their game. I sincerely hope that they get to USE the gift card on themselves, it isn't the way I'd choose to go with the older brothers prowling but I will pray for the best.

My kids are getting a ton for Christmas - these kids are getting a few things each BUT they are things I would or am giving to my kids. Not generic or old toys because I think they should "take what they are given." It isn't their fault their parents are split up, stepdad is in jail, mom is lazy. If I can brighten one day for them I will.

It's wonderful that you are so generous with this family. You are creating Christmas memories that will last a lifetime. Perhaps one of the kids will pay it forward when they reach adulthood.

I'm always surprised when people give unusable junk to holiday drives. My employer used to have a Thanksgiving pie drive for needy families. The generosity of the community was amazing and many of the pies were homemade from scratch. One year, however, someone came in and gave us a half-eaten pie! We graciously accepted it and then discarded it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The MA State Police program that I mentioned earlier in this thread had 1500 toys stolen this weekend.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/state_police_ac.html?p1=News_links

After theft, State Police accepting toys and checks for Toys for Tots at barracks

By Globe Staff

Marc D. Kozin and his wife, Donna, were so disturbed by the news that he is planning to drop off a check for $5,000 at a State Police barracks today.

“It’s a noble cause,’’ said Kozin, who only grudgingly allowed his name to be published because his goal was to help, not gain media attention. “To have this happen on Dec. 20 is terrible.’’

The “noble cause’’ is the Toys for Tots program, whose organizers are scrambling today to replenish its supply after the theft of 1,500 donated toys from a Burlington storage facility.

State Police said today that people like Kozin can donate toys and checks – no cash – at any barracks around the state. Checks should be made out to the Toys for Tots program.

The locations of State Police barracks can be found here.

A spokesman for the Walgreens drug store chain today said the company has resumed collecting toys at its 152 Massachusetts stores. The chain stopped taking toys Dec. 17, the collection deadline.

The Globe reported in today's editions that the thief or thieves made off with an estimated $15,000 worth of toys. Whoever broke into the locked storage container also was selective in what they stole - all of the gifts were for children 8 years old and up and valued at between $15 and $30.

The theft has infuriated the top State Police commander, Colonel Marian McGovern, who said in a statement on Sunday that she considered the theft "despicable.'' For the last 26 years, State Police have joined with the US Marine Corps Reserve to collect toys for the Toys for Tots program.

State and Burlington police are actively investigating the Saturday morning theft, she said in the statement.

Police asked anyone with any information about the theft "or has suspicions about a sudden presence of a large quantity of toys" to contact Burlington Police Department at (781) 270-1914 or Massachusetts State Police at (508) 820-2121.

Walgreens company spokesman Tyler Hough said Walgreens will now collect toys until tomorrow at noon and then drop them off at the nearest State Police barracks.

Hough said that this year, the chain’s 250 stores in New England participated and collected an estimated 10,000 toys that had been donated by customers. The resumption applies to the Massachusetts stores only, he said

 

[snowywhite89]

The MA State Police program that I mentioned earlier in this thread had 1500 toys stolen this weekend.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/state_police_ac.html?p1=News_links

That is so sad.

 

[southern_redhead]

Oh, and just a note, please, please, don't judge most Sunday school classes by the response you got from your mom's (shame on them!). I know with our Sunday school classes, if you mention someone needing help they go all out and its almost overwhelming in how much they reach out.

Oh I don't judge them at all Not even the women who didn't give (not really anyway), they are all in their 80's and I think that for them it is a generational thing. They might have pitched in a "little something" for someone they knew who was a member of the church, if that person were struggling, but to give to a family they don't know and who doesn't attend their church? It was a long shot at best. The woman who did this was NOT in her 80's and is, basically, just a snob. I know that she had the "beggars can't be choosers" mentality going, I've heard it from her own mouth regarding other situations. It's sad because they were strictly middle class for years, even hit a rough patch at one time, then pulled themselves up and started a company that has made them millions.

I only included that to give an example of a plain bad attitude towards helping others. I, personally, will not gift a child with something I wouldn't want my own unwrapping....KWIM? That woman would have had a fit if her grandson (who is the same age as my DD and the little girl we were gifting) opened the sort of stuff she sent.

**ETA** I should have noted that these kids were not on an Angel tree, their mother wasn't giving them a Christmas but she didn't ask for help. She did seem appreciative when we brought her the presents. I knew of them through the school and I got with their teachers for gift ideas from their Santa letters (these go to the local papers so they aren't private.) So, if it matters, these kids didn't ask for these items thinking that some one would see the letter and buy it for them...it was just things they would like to have if they could wish for "whatever".

And, another edit to add: What those people did to the Toy Drive is SICK. No two ways about it. There is a special place, somewhere HOT, for people who will steal from a child.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some good news after the theft:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/theft_of_toys_h.html?p1=Local_Links

State Police: Outpouring has far exceeded theft of Christmas toys

Massachusetts State Police

By L. Finch, Globe Correspondent

Four days after a thief or thieves made off with 1,500 toys from a Toys for Tots storage container in Burlington, a flurry of donations have “far surpassed” the amount stolen, State Police announced today.

State Police have collected about $114,000 in donations and hundreds of toys as of this morning. Workers will continue sorting and distributing the toys to children throughout the day, officials said.

The Toys ‘R’ Us tractor-trailer brought $15,000 worth of toys to the Toys for Tots warehouse in Burlington today.

Many donated toys flowed into State Police headquarters in Framingham from private citizens, and others came in from groups, such as a Westborough elementary school and the state Department of Environmental Protection, which collected toys on behalf of the program, according to State Police.

“We are extremely grateful for the many, many people who opened their hearts to this program to recoup – and then to far exceed – what was lost,” State Police said in a statement.

State Police said an investigation into the theft continued, with detectives following various leads.