Angel Tree gift question -- what is going on with the gifts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped doing angel tree because the gifts were too expensive. They wanted things that I didn’t even buy my children. My church now doing boxes for children in different countries!

THIS.

Hopefully not those creepy shoeboxes. They make the kids go to a weird evangelical church service to get the gift.

Not true. It's a wonderful way that some Christians share with those in need.

Wrong. It is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A $300 iPad is kind of a miracle device if it's the only one you have.

I agree. It can take the place of a tv, a laptop, a stereo, a telephone, and even trips to the library. Again, gifts don’t have to be this expensive, but an iPad is a very useful and enjoyable gift — that kids can benefit from for many years.

[Anonymous]

Could be used as incentives for grades or special treats, a friend does this with Christmas and birthday gifts. She spreads them out thru the year so her kid is opening presents for good grades, for special treats, etc…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know how people sometimes come across something and say "This restores my faith in humanity"? Well this thread did the opposite.

You PPs who clearly want to keep poor children in some kind of a place by begrudging them nice gifts -- that you didn't have to volunteer to buy -- are not good people.

You have to buy people unnecessary overpriced toys to be considered a good person? You have a strange definition of good. Did nobody buy you an iPad last year?

Your reading comprehension is pretty poor. No...you don't "have to buy people unnecessary overpriced toys to be considered a good person." But you do have to avoid judging what poor children ask for for Christmas, especially with the contempt I see here. It's disgusting.

So stop judging people for the ways in which they can help. If they can't afford to spend $500 to fulfill a wish, then they shouldn't be judged for that. It's gross to be calling people names and shitting on them when they are trying to help.

DP: No one is doing that. Some of us — me included— are judging people who are judging children for responding truthfully when asked what they want for Christmas.

Some of us — me included— are also judging people who don’t seem to be genuinely trying to help. If you want to ship cheap clothing overseas to kids, that’s great. Such generosity really doesn’t need to be accompanied by posts in threads like this about what some kids in the US might wish for. It’s easy enough to pick kids with less expensive wishes, or donate to Toys for Tots, or purchase coats from the Macy’s sale for a day care or school program.

How does this thinking address the OPs question. Why was this wanted gift activated so many months later?

I can think of multiple reasons— including initially using the wanted gift for things that didn’t require activation. It’s been pointed out that resources available through many public libraries are available using kindle and other tablets.

Another is not having access to Wi-Fi initially — but arranging to get access several months later.

Or... it was sold and never used by the intended recipient. Why not just go for the most obvious explanation instead of twisting yourself in a pretzel to come up with convoluted explanations?

My explanation is obvious to me. No pretzel twisting needed. I just don’t agree with you — and for good reason. Wishing you all the joys of the holiday season.

You probably also think that pan handlers are begging for money for food and not alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These kids are told to put down a wish. And they’re putting down what they wish for. Can you blame them?!

I remember one year there was a kid who put down a pretty extensive toy and I was willing to get it, and it completely broke my heart when I saw the next thing on the list. A blanket. A kid who has very little is told to ask for something either really need a really want and they say a freaking blanket. I’m willing to bet that the majority if not all of the people on this website, have children who would never think to ask for a blanket. Because you have closets full of them, and your children have never been cold.

So have some perspective. They may be asking for something you think is extravagant or you think they don’t need but remember you take for granted things that they’ll never have.

I think your example is proving the point. If the kids don't have blankets, that's what someone should buy, not the expensive toy.

A child is allowed to wish. You are heartless, really.

[Anonymous]

Some people are mistaking the Angel Tree with everyday charity. The needs are supposed to be taken care of from the stuff we do year round with regular donations and service work. The angel tree is not for needs, it for wishes and dreams of chilren.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These kids are told to put down a wish. And they’re putting down what they wish for. Can you blame them?!

I remember one year there was a kid who put down a pretty extensive toy and I was willing to get it, and it completely broke my heart when I saw the next thing on the list. A blanket. A kid who has very little is told to ask for something either really need a really want and they say a freaking blanket. I’m willing to bet that the majority if not all of the people on this website, have children who would never think to ask for a blanket. Because you have closets full of them, and your children have never been cold.

So have some perspective. They may be asking for something you think is extravagant or you think they don’t need but remember you take for granted things that they’ll never have.

I think your example is proving the point. If the kids don't have blankets, that's what someone should buy, not the expensive toy.

A child is allowed to wish. You are heartless, really.

+1000

This thread literally makes me want to move out of the DMV. I know this gross attitude toward children who have simply answered "What would you like for Christmas" exists everywhere, but not to this extent. And shame on the jerk that thinks the answer to that question should be "blanket" and "not the expensive toy."

They shouldn't call these things "Angel Trees" because clearly evil people are congregating around them, looking at the requests, laughing and/or getting all self-righteously contemptuous, and then either walking away or buying a freaking blanket instead of the requested toy. I'm exaggerating a little, of course, but the attitude is absolutely this bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know how people sometimes come across something and say "This restores my faith in humanity"? Well this thread did the opposite.

You PPs who clearly want to keep poor children in some kind of a place by begrudging them nice gifts -- that you didn't have to volunteer to buy -- are not good people.

You have to buy people unnecessary overpriced toys to be considered a good person? You have a strange definition of good. Did nobody buy you an iPad last year?

Your reading comprehension is pretty poor. No...you don't "have to buy people unnecessary overpriced toys to be considered a good person." But you do have to avoid judging what poor children ask for for Christmas, especially with the contempt I see here. It's disgusting.

So stop judging people for the ways in which they can help. If they can't afford to spend $500 to fulfill a wish, then they shouldn't be judged for that. It's gross to be calling people names and shitting on them when they are trying to help.

DP: No one is doing that. Some of us — me included— are judging people who are judging children for responding truthfully when asked what they want for Christmas.

Some of us — me included— are also judging people who don’t seem to be genuinely trying to help. If you want to ship cheap clothing overseas to kids, that’s great. Such generosity really doesn’t need to be accompanied by posts in threads like this about what some kids in the US might wish for. It’s easy enough to pick kids with less expensive wishes, or donate to Toys for Tots, or purchase coats from the Macy’s sale for a day care or school program.

How does this thinking address the OPs question. Why was this wanted gift activated so many months later?

I can think of multiple reasons— including initially using the wanted gift for things that didn’t require activation. It’s been pointed out that resources available through many public libraries are available using kindle and other tablets.

Another is not having access to Wi-Fi initially — but arranging to get access several months later.

Or... it was sold and never used by the intended recipient. Why not just go for the most obvious explanation instead of twisting yourself in a pretzel to come up with convoluted explanations?

My explanation is obvious to me. No pretzel twisting needed. I just don’t agree with you — and for good reason. Wishing you all the joys of the holiday season.

You probably also think that pan handlers are begging for money for food and not alcohol.

Shrug. You probably got coal in your stockings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These kids are told to put down a wish. And they’re putting down what they wish for. Can you blame them?!

I remember one year there was a kid who put down a pretty extensive toy and I was willing to get it, and it completely broke my heart when I saw the next thing on the list. A blanket. A kid who has very little is told to ask for something either really need a really want and they say a freaking blanket. I’m willing to bet that the majority if not all of the people on this website, have children who would never think to ask for a blanket. Because you have closets full of them, and your children have never been cold.

So have some perspective. They may be asking for something you think is extravagant or you think they don’t need but remember you take for granted things that they’ll never have.

I think your example is proving the point. If the kids don't have blankets, that's what someone should buy, not the expensive toy.

A child is allowed to wish. You are heartless, really.

+1000

This thread literally makes me want to move out of the DMV. I know this gross attitude toward children who have simply answered "What would you like for Christmas" exists everywhere, but not to this extent. And shame on the jerk that thinks the answer to that question should be "blanket" and "not the expensive toy."

They shouldn't call these things "Angel Trees" because clearly evil people are congregating around them, looking at the requests, laughing and/or getting all self-righteously contemptuous, and then either walking away or buying a freaking blanket instead of the requested toy. I'm exaggerating a little, of course, but the attitude is absolutely this bad.

It's horrible. What is wrong with people?

[Anonymous]

I am what you would call a poor person (on food stamps and in subsidized housing, which is still expensive fwiw), so I know quite a few people who are poor.
Let me tell you this. They don’t really need expensive gifts, their lives will turn out fine without them. And the less expensive, more educational gifts won’t be appreciated.
If I ever become well off again, I will never ever do angel tree or the like. I’ve seen too much and have become jaded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people complaining about this, though?

Is it important to let the beggars know they are being too presumptuous, or what? Why not just pass the tree on by without commenting?

This question is asked by and being answered by potential donors, not recipients. Who is letting the beggars know any of this?

A lot of people read a lot of things, and policing others' behavior seems a hell of a lot more important to you than just going on with your day.

Just about everyone has access to the internet. Also, talking about behavior is a way of entrenching that judgment. We can enforce this amongst ourselves, and they will learn not to be uppity.

Just to be clear, I'm DCUM middle class. I just think so much of this thread is pretty gross.

Well, this thread is six years old. So you can stop your attention-seeking white knighting now. Thanks.

You know, I think I'll call you out all and whenever I want to. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could be used as incentives for grades or special treats, a friend does this with Christmas and birthday gifts. She spreads them out thru the year so her kid is opening presents for good grades, for special treats, etc…

So, people who have to resort to Angel Trees have gifts aplenty to spread throughout the year? Come on now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people are mistaking the Angel Tree with everyday charity. The needs are supposed to be taken care of from the stuff we do year round with regular donations and service work. The angel tree is not for needs, it for wishes and dreams of chilren.

Their parents should be savvy enough to know that you may end up with nothing if you aim too high. Do you really think kids are being showered with Apple products from Angel Trees every year? Some of you are hopelessly naive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could be used as incentives for grades or special treats, a friend does this with Christmas and birthday gifts. She spreads them out thru the year so her kid is opening presents for good grades, for special treats, etc…

So, people who have to resort to Angel Trees have gifts aplenty to spread throughout the year? Come on now.

DP. There isn't an Angel Tree for birthdays, you know. Yes, sometimes people will space out what they have (some will, others won't).

You've never been poor, have you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some people are mistaking the Angel Tree with everyday charity. The needs are supposed to be taken care of from the stuff we do year round with regular donations and service work. The angel tree is not for needs, it for wishes and dreams of chilren.

Their parents should be savvy enough to know that you may end up with nothing if you aim too high. Do you really think kids are being showered with Apple products from Angel Trees every year? Some of you are hopelessly naive.

DP. This would seem to be a self-correcting problem if you are right. They don't need your help in figuring it out.