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.

DP: One person’s “wonderful “ is another person’s creepy proselytizing.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/case-against-operation-christmas-child-15358823

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/08/christmas-evangelical-christians-samaritans-purse-children-muslim-countries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Your arrogance is amazing. Maybe focus more on what you need to do for yourself — and less on assuming you somehow have a basis to speak for people that you distance yourself from as you claim to know what “they don’t really need”, or what “won’t be appreciated “ by people you’ve never met.

I sincerely hope you’re trolling. You really have no way to know whose “lives will turn out fine”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP: One person’s “wonderful “ is another person’s creepy proselytizing.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/case-against-operation-christmas-child-15358823

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/08/christmas-evangelical-christians-samaritans-purse-children-muslim-countries

The author's use of the word "scheme" reflects her very strong bias.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's always going to be a new family to test the theory. I guess you don't care if kids sit home crying because they got nothing for Xmas. But then according to you weirdos they already have so much their parents will just get something from their birthday stash to spread out the gifts more evenly over the year. What is the point of the Angel Tree again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP: One person’s “wonderful “ is another person’s creepy proselytizing.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/case-against-operation-christmas-child-15358823

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/08/christmas-evangelical-christians-samaritans-purse-children-muslim-countries

The author's use of the word "scheme" reflects her very strong bias.

NP. I don't really agree the articles, but that's just how British people use the word scheme. It doesn't have the connotations it does in the US.

[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.

I'm bothered by the idea of that child waking up to nothing on Christmas morning. I guess you're not worried about that, do you even like kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP: One person’s “wonderful “ is another person’s creepy proselytizing.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/case-against-operation-christmas-child-15358823

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/08/christmas-evangelical-christians-samaritans-purse-children-muslim-countries

The author's use of the word "scheme" reflects her very strong bias.

True. Two different authors though, in two different countries. And “bias” doesn’t mean untrue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's always going to be a new family to test the theory. I guess you don't care if kids sit home crying because they got nothing for Xmas. But then according to you weirdos they already have so much their parents will just get something from their birthday stash to spread out the gifts more evenly over the year. What is the point of the Angel Tree again?

No, I just think you verbally salivating over how uppity the poors are getting is just disgusting. That's all I am talking about. You and your problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's always going to be a new family to test the theory. I guess you don't care if kids sit home crying because they got nothing for Xmas. But then according to you weirdos they already have so much their parents will just get something from their birthday stash to spread out the gifts more evenly over the year. What is the point of the Angel Tree again?

No, I just think you verbally salivating over how uppity the poors are getting is just disgusting. That's all I am talking about. You and your problems.

Nobody is doing that. You're a hammer looking for a nail.

[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.

I'm bothered by the idea of that child waking up to nothing on Christmas morning. I guess you're not worried about that, do you even like kids?

Are you out there directly educating poor children about how to express their Christmas dreams? If not, this is just online masturbation about how much better you are, and it's got all the effect of a fart in the wind for those kids. You are doing this for you, not them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's always going to be a new family to test the theory. I guess you don't care if kids sit home crying because they got nothing for Xmas. But then according to you weirdos they already have so much their parents will just get something from their birthday stash to spread out the gifts more evenly over the year. What is the point of the Angel Tree again?

No, I just think you verbally salivating over how uppity the poors are getting is just disgusting. That's all I am talking about. You and your problems.

Nobody is doing that. You're a hammer looking for a nail.

The nail is your attitude, and sure, I'll be the hammer for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP: One person’s “wonderful “ is another person’s creepy proselytizing.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/case-against-operation-christmas-child-15358823

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/08/christmas-evangelical-christians-samaritans-purse-children-muslim-countries

The author's use of the word "scheme" reflects her very strong bias.

True. Two different authors though, in two different countries. And “bias” doesn’t mean untrue.

To add: By “true”, I meant that there may be bias — but there are biases about all kinds of things. And, as I said, “bias” doesn’t mean untrue. What do you think Franklin Graham’s “very strong bias” might be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gift requests are getting expensive!
The problem I see sometime is that these families have better cell phone and plans than me!

This is a really tired trope about people living in poverty. Yes many families on free lunch have a family member with a smart phone because they get it from work, it’s their whole family’s internet plan instead of having WiFi at home, they get hand me down phones from relatives, or are eligible for special discounted plans with internet for people below a certain income level.

I am sure there are some people who are greedy and entitled who take advantage of angel trees and similar programs- but there are many more kids who deserve some joy in their lives. It’s really gross and uninformed to decide that the only people who deserve to benefit from charity are those whose appearance and possessions match your idea of what poverty looks like.

I am guessing you have never lived in poverty or even close to it. There are so many things going on that lead people who are in poverty with no hope of getting out to make choices that don’t seem to make sense to people with a better safety net or more stability. I have a HS friend who has been on and off of SNAP, WIC, and subsidized housing her whole life - she grew up that way and still lives that way. Her kids’ clothes look clean, new, and name brand while I sit in my $1.5M house dressing my kids in hand me downs and Target sale stuff. Do you know why? If you are poor and depend on government programs and charity, you scour the TJ Max, Marshall’s, Burlington, and Macy’s sale racks for Nike, Under Armor, and Ralph Lauren clothes because you are constantly fighting the stereotype that you are a neglectful parent. You know your kids get free lunch and can’t do the activities and vacation their friends can - but kids have ways of talking around that stuff. They can’t hide dirty, torn, ill fitting clothes as easily. So yes, some poor kids have nice clothes because a good first impression might keep CPS from meddling in their family and “cool” clothes might keep their kid from getting bullied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's always going to be a new family to test the theory. I guess you don't care if kids sit home crying because they got nothing for Xmas. But then according to you weirdos they already have so much their parents will just get something from their birthday stash to spread out the gifts more evenly over the year. What is the point of the Angel Tree again?

No, I just think you verbally salivating over how uppity the poors are getting is just disgusting. That's all I am talking about. You and your problems.

Nobody is doing that. You're a hammer looking for a nail.

The nail is your attitude, and sure, I'll be the hammer for that.

My attitude? I'm someone who actually participates in these types of charities. I'll bet you've never lifted a finger and are just here on your soapbox spewing nonsense and think you're lecturing the evil rich. I don't even think you understand how Angel Tree works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm bothered by the idea of that child waking up to nothing on Christmas morning. I guess you're not worried about that, do you even like kids?

Are you out there directly educating poor children about how to express their Christmas dreams? If not, this is just online masturbation about how much better you are, and it's got all the effect of a fart in the wind for those kids. You are doing this for you, not them.

They aren't being asked to express their Christmas dreams, nitwit. The vast majority of people involved in this know how it works and the donors and recipients are easily matched up. It's not a bunch of unrealistic fantasies written down on a tag where someone has been whispering into a child's ear to dream big.