Angel Tree gift cards/asks - dollar amount thoughts?

[Anonymous]

At our church's Angel Tree I'd say the gift requests were for around $50 and we were also asked to provide a $50 gift card for the parent/s (with a receipt to show it was legit because apparently some have been questioned/harassed in the past).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did local angel tree but it’s called something else in our town. I spent $100 per child. I figure they would like Something to open that was on their wish list without fulfilling the Entire wish list. Games? Check. Something purple? Check. Labubu? Check. Lego? Check. I agree don’t overspend but don’t cheap out either.

Those sound like good picks for presents.

[Anonymous]

We participate in one where they advise not spending more than $100-125 total per kid, for fairness. e.g., often multiple siblings are participating and they don't want one getting a lot more than another. So I've never seen a wish item that big either!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve been doing angel tree for over 10 years and I’ve never seen an ask that extravagant.

I just did an Angel Tree request and they were very affordable: art/craft sets, dolls, coloring books, things like that. Very reasonable and humble requests.

[Anonymous]

I just never understand why used isn’t okay. My kids are definitely UMC and nearly all their clothes and toys are used. They’re basically like new. Most parents open packaging and set up things like Barbie doll houses under the Christmas tree so it doesn’t matter if they are used. But clearly I’m disillusioned. I donate to toys for tots instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree OP. I would not buy anything I would not buy for my own DC. A $200 toy would not be on DCs list. I donate to many organizations throughout the year, I just can’t get behind the need for $200 toys.

Same. If it's not something I would buy for my own kid (like a $200 toy) then I skip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I scanned a QR code at an angel tree and was shocked at the types of asks on there: a $199 ice cream toy truck, a ride on motorized vehicle, etc. There was a bed/desk also asked for but transporting them makes them very difficult, and of course the cost was also a factor.

I've typically donated toys or gift cards but never an angel tree donation. Is this typical for an angel tree?

Here we go. Every year.

Repeat: Poor people are allowed to have desires for expensive things.

If you cannot afford, then don't give. But, don't feel sanctimonious that someone who is poor has the gall to have dreams.
Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never spent $200 for the holidays - that's about double what I've spent, if not more than double.

Of course a store like WalMart will encourage making a holiday all about buying stuff, because they're in the business of selling stuff. But to me, the holidays are about family and being cozy, spending time together, etc. We spend very little on gifts. So I don't want to spend hundreds on kids I don't know.

So you have young kids and spend under $100/xmas? Please elaborate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just never understand why used isn’t okay. My kids are definitely UMC and nearly all their clothes and toys are used. They’re basically like new. Most parents open packaging and set up things like Barbie doll houses under the Christmas tree so it doesn’t matter if they are used. But clearly I’m disillusioned. I donate to toys for tots instead.

Because people would donate garbage. I've volunteered at donation sites after natural disasters and you'd be amazed at the absolute junk people drop off. It would take longer to sort donations because you'd have to weed through all the broken crap or games missing pieces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much are you spending on your kid(s) this holiday season? It’s surely more than $199.

If you don’t trust that the kids are actually needy, then don’t participate. But I imagine you trust the organization and they actually vet the requests quite well, no?

If your concern is that a poor kid should never ask for nice things then you’re missing the spirit of Christmas.

I actually spend much less than that per kid on my own kids. And we have a HHI in the 1 percent. I think its ridiculous how commercialized and materialistic christmas has become.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are you spending on your kid(s) this holiday season? It’s surely more than $199.

If you don’t trust that the kids are actually needy, then don’t participate. But I imagine you trust the organization and they actually vet the requests quite well, no?

If your concern is that a poor kid should never ask for nice things then you’re missing the spirit of Christmas.

I actually spend much less than that per kid on my own kids. And we have a HHI in the 1 percent. I think its ridiculous how commercialized and materialistic christmas has become.

Let me guess… you also think fast food tastes disgusting and you drive a 15 year old car to drop your kids off at SFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are you spending on your kid(s) this holiday season? It’s surely more than $199.

If you don’t trust that the kids are actually needy, then don’t participate. But I imagine you trust the organization and they actually vet the requests quite well, no?

If your concern is that a poor kid should never ask for nice things then you’re missing the spirit of Christmas.

I actually spend much less than that per kid on my own kids. And we have a HHI in the 1 percent. I think its ridiculous how commercialized and materialistic christmas has become.

Let me guess… you also think fast food tastes disgusting and you drive a 15 year old car to drop your kids off at SFS.

Let me guess…you’re asking Santa for a mirror so you can look at yourself and see if you really at judgmental.

[Anonymous]

Am I too late to participate in an angel tree? Are there any still going on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just never understand why used isn’t okay. My kids are definitely UMC and nearly all their clothes and toys are used. They’re basically like new. Most parents open packaging and set up things like Barbie doll houses under the Christmas tree so it doesn’t matter if they are used. But clearly I’m disillusioned. I donate to toys for tots instead.

Toys for Tots also requires that items be new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just never understand why used isn’t okay. My kids are definitely UMC and nearly all their clothes and toys are used. They’re basically like new. Most parents open packaging and set up things like Barbie doll houses under the Christmas tree so it doesn’t matter if they are used. But clearly I’m disillusioned. I donate to toys for tots instead.

It’s fine to donate it but not as a holiday gift.