Angel Tree Gifts

[jensen]

What do you do for your Salvation Army Angel Tree gift?

We have decided that it's time for our kids to really get into to the spirit of giving this Christmas, so last night we took them to pick out cards from our local Angel Tree... each of these cards has several toys/gift requests listed, as well as, clothes sizes... do you just choose one of the items or do you buy one or more items up to the $30 spending limit?

They want you to bring the items in unwrapped... and I've heard it's because they will move gifts around and spread them out to make sure everyone gets something... If so, then maybe I'll just buy one thing specific to each of our cards and then take a few "extra" things like hats and gloves to add to the pile.

What do you do?

 

[clh2]

We've done a donation to Toys for Tots, ever since DD was about 2. DD has always been part of the process, because we felt it was important. Now, obviously- their opinions/understanding at 2 were far different than when she was 8.

At 8, the truth about the jolly guy in the red suit was figured out. I took that as an opportunity to explain exactly why we make a donation to Toys for Tots every year.

As my DD has grown, the toys we donated were generally equivalent to what a girl her age would like. One year, we went to Build-a-Bear, and DD had a budger, and built/clothed a bear which was fun for her.

 

[jensen]

Does anyone else do Angel Tree gifts? I always thought this was something they did all over, but maybe it's just a local thing?????

 

[Vijoge]

Does anyone else do Angel Tree gifts? I always thought this was something they did all over, but maybe it's just a local thing?????

Angel Tree is a Salvation Army Christmas Charity.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn...A26BE892B1CBCE42802573F50056BE0C?Opendocument

 

[momxx5]

In FL we did the Salvation Army Angel Tree that was at the mall.

DH and I each picked an Angel and bought for the children instead of each other.

For the past few years we picked Angels off the tree at school. This year we picked 2 little girls. DD picked a 2yr old that wishes for a stuffed animal or doll. We are going to give one of our brand new Build A Bear along with a couple of outfits that we are going to buy with my $30+ of gift certificates.

For the other girl's wish is building blocks. DD outgrew all the Disney Princess mega-blocks. They are in excellent shape. So we are going to purchase a new mixed set to donate along with the clear rubbermaid bin of the princess one.

A different tag asked for a Dora comforter set. We didn't pick that one, but I'm thinking of getting in touch with the guidance counselor(who cooridinates this) and find out if she would like the Dora Castle and all the accessories. It is also in a rubbermaid bin in totally excellent condition. I was going to give it to the preschool I used to work for but first I'll ask if the school Angel wants it.


I would definately ask which they expect to recieve.....one off the list or each item. That is a tough one. Usually they list the specific item and then they do not have mix-up. I'm not sure, I know I'd be tempted to buy each item. Yeah, I'd definately ask. At the mall they wanted the items returned unwrapped. The gifts from our school Angel Tree and requested to be returned wrapped with the original wish tag attached.

You are very kid and thoughtful.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Our area used to have angel trees in several different locations, but all I ever see now are boxes for toys for tots.
Ours did not have a spending limit. I would buy a few things that totaled $50 and included toys and clothes.

 

[starann]

I HIGHLY suggest donating to a nursing home, or asking about a resident who might not have any family (often this happens, they either outlive everyone or never had any children or extended family to begin with).

Things like REAL tissues (not the sheets of paper the nsg home supplies), nice lotion, slippers, robes and such are needed and the residents don't have the money or anyone to buy for them.

When my grandmother died I asked a local assisted living facility if they could use her gently worn clothes or coat and they were very HAPPY to take our donations.

 

[secretpantssam]

They want you to bring the items in unwrapped... and I've heard it's because they will move gifts around and spread them out to make sure everyone gets something... If so, then maybe I'll just buy one thing specific to each of our cards and then take a few "extra" things like hats and gloves to add to the pile.

Yeah they do divide up the gifts. So if you buy a bunch of gifts they might not all go to the same child.

 

[Fire14]

My mother and I started this as a Mom/dtr thing. I still love buying stuff for kids. I do buy stuff for our residents at work in LTC also but they get goodies all year long from most of us stuff.

 

[PrincessButtercup]

I've been doing the Angel Tree gifts for years and have never heard of a spending limit. Also, in our area you bring the gifts wrapped.

This year we decided to splurge and buy everything on the wish list, especially since it was mostly clothes. I was able to do it all for $100. If they're already wrapped, how would they know how to split it up?

 

[Andreas Mom]

I've helped a few years now "behind the scenes" with our blessing tree. We ask the parents what there children need/want then put those ideas on the tags....whoever takes the tag can do one or all three of the ideas, its up to them and we dont put a $ limit.

Also some of the bigger toy drives ask for unwrapped because then they dontate to some of the smaller drives and can see what they are giving and when done this way the smaller drives get what there angels are asking for from some of the bigger drives like the tv station drives. If it has a tag with a specific gift it will go to that person asking for it, but if it is just a toy drive then those are usually matched up with someone on a smaller drives list. Does that make any sense at all?

I just know thats how ours have been done in the past. It seems to work the best so everyone gets what they need/want and nothing is wasted or someone is not getting something just to get something but what they asked for.

 

[mirandag819]

I have always done Angel tree, but it sounds different here. We pick a tag off the tree at work, it is usually for a whole family. You are suppose to spend at least $100 per child. It has gift requests and clothing sizes. We wrap the presents, and turn them in at work already wrapped.

Of coarse this year I decided not to do Angel Tree, not because I don't want to, but I had a co-worked laid off recently who had some huge medical bills, is a single mom, and hasn't found a new job yet. She has a very sweet son. I know they need it and are very deserving, so I decided I would shop for them for Christmas. I am pretty excited....my dd went shopping with me tonight to pick out a lot of toys, and my dad is going to dress as Santa and deliver them to her house so she doesn't know who it is from (I know she would be too proud to accept them otherwise).

 

[okeydokey]

We do a similar program at our church for local folks in our county. They only put two things on each card, a set of clothes and a toy or something else that they specify (this year we did a skateboard and a Hannah Montana bed comforter for the two kids we chose). They said it's nice of people to buy extra stuff but since they often have several members of the same family they can't give on child three outfits and one child one outfit so if you send extra they will spread things around.

 

[mamalle]

we are doing the salvation army tree this year thru one of the hospitals I work at. both kids have a child and we are buying them items off their wish list and clothing. dd picked baby annabell out with a doll stroller for her angel and ds is going to buy some trucks/ cars for his. times are tough everywhere. If we can make 2 kiddos smile come christmas morning- I will be happy. Im dropping off the items unwrapped and giving them tape and wrapping paper..

as far as the other things we are doing this season: we have adopted a family from my 2 other jobs that I work at- each are a family in need- either a mom took in her sister's kids due to death and the other is a single mom dying of cancer from one of my coworker's church. Im donating money for each of these. They both have 5 children in need of clothing, etc... It touches my heart to see..

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We try and get kids the same age and gender as our own (two girls) and let them help. The older one got a bike and a helmet, the younger one got a deluxe dolly set and dolly.

It is always a good experience for us, my DH usually tries to find one with a bike request because he's a glutton for punishment, lol...

 

[prncess674]

I always pick the names of older kids and teens. Even though they are older EVERY child deserves something! I am fortunate to have a nice job and home and usually pick older teens requesting such things as MP3 players. No it isn't really a need, but having a little corner of the house to listen to music could be the only "alone" time they get.

 

[karliebug]

Our church youth group usually tries to fund a homeless or down and out family's Christmas. Last year they found 2 familes to help. The Pastor asked the parents for gift suggestions. Mom of family number 1 asked for pajamas , a grocery card and some small toys for her kids. Mom of family number 2 asked for a t.v. , a gamebox, vcr, nintendo ds for her 2 kids, and video games.while I agree that kids should get some fun items and not just hats and gloves, I think it is asking a lot to put things like wii or flat screen tv's on their list.

 

[momof296&02]

If anyone is interested in doing this I know here on LI the local schools will have a "snowman", "snow flake", etc that you can choose. Each lists a local family & or child(ren) in need. There is no limit, you pick who you want (you don't know who they are, just the age, toy preference, etc.) & purchase what's on the list & reurn it wrapped. I personally like to buy for those in need where I live.

 

[mamalle]

I think its a great experience for mine to do also. It really makes you appreciate all that you have..

 

[Katlyn]

Mine was easy this year. My little "Angel" wanted a baby doll and I bought her an outfit. I look forward to doing this every year. As someone mentioned the nursing homes are also in need every year. Things like slipper socks and lap throws really come in handy