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

[Anonymous]

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. Nobody is shitting on them for trying to help, or for choosing not to help in certain ways. It's for making and posting in snide threads about it. Leave that last step off,a nd no problem.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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!

How do you find out what types of plans “these families” have?

Do you ask them to be certain that they qualify for your benevolence?


The nastiness here is sad. If you don’t want to provide gifts, then don’t. But if the kids are asked what they want, then don’t criticize them because they don’t list socks.

FWIW An iPad now can be purchased for $250. It will work reliably for years. It’s useful for schoolwork, access to cultural activities and recreation, and access to applications of all kinds. I’ve paired mine with a keyboard case and it’s truly the best bang for the buck purchase that I can think of, especially for a teen.

I’m not saying that anyone should spend amounts like this for an angel tree if they don’t want to or can’t. Appreciate though, that an iPad can be a lifeline that could provide a decade or more of access to someone who could greatly benefit from having it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, I gave two Kindle devices as presents for kids in my Angel Tree. Now, since I had purchased them, I received a notification when the Kindles were first activated -- not on Xmas morning mind you, but several months later. Like, the following October for one, and August for the other. Curious about what is going on -- do you think the parents (or other people?) are selling these gifts or something, rather than giving the devices to kids in need?

Anonymous wrote:That is the most logical explanation here. It sounds like they were sold.

Wouldn't someone who bought it have used it right away?

It could have took them a few months to sell it thus the delay.

I'm impressed that you attribute sufficient willpower to the poors to hold off on letting their kids play with a toy while they were waiting 10 months or more to sell it.

Nah, they sold it right away. The buyers took a long time to activate it.

So ... you think the buyers waited, but the initial people would not have? Why?

Just spitballing here. What does it matter? Either way someone waited an awful long time. Seems like an odd thing to wish for, receive, and then not even use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, I gave two Kindle devices as presents for kids in my Angel Tree. Now, since I had purchased them, I received a notification when the Kindles were first activated -- not on Xmas morning mind you, but several months later. Like, the following October for one, and August for the other. Curious about what is going on -- do you think the parents (or other people?) are selling these gifts or something, rather than giving the devices to kids in need?

Anonymous wrote:That is the most logical explanation here. It sounds like they were sold.

Wouldn't someone who bought it have used it right away?

It could have took them a few months to sell it thus the delay.

I'm impressed that you attribute sufficient willpower to the poors to hold off on letting their kids play with a toy while they were waiting 10 months or more to sell it.

Nah, they sold it right away. The buyers took a long time to activate it.

I disagree if they sold it say on ebay it takes a while unless you price is very low because there are so many other sellers on (plus most people will buy from a known store not ebay) there I think it too a few months to sell then the buyers activated it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

How do you find out what types of plans “these families” have?

Do you ask them to be certain that they qualify for your benevolence?


The nastiness here is sad. If you don’t want to provide gifts, then don’t. But if the kids are asked what they want, then don’t criticize them because they don’t list socks.

FWIW An iPad now can be purchased for $250. It will work reliably for years. It’s useful for schoolwork, access to cultural activities and recreation, and access to applications of all kinds. I’ve paired mine with a keyboard case and it’s truly the best bang for the buck purchase that I can think of, especially for a teen.

I’m not saying that anyone should spend amounts like this for an angel tree if they don’t want to or can’t. Appreciate though, that an iPad can be a lifeline that could provide a decade or more of access to someone who could greatly benefit from having it.

Perhaps the Angel Tree organizers will read these posts and learn how to better help their families. And having 3 kids of my own, I know an iPad isn't the only thing they wish for in any year. There are always other options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, I gave two Kindle devices as presents for kids in my Angel Tree. Now, since I had purchased them, I received a notification when the Kindles were first activated -- not on Xmas morning mind you, but several months later. Like, the following October for one, and August for the other. Curious about what is going on -- do you think the parents (or other people?) are selling these gifts or something, rather than giving the devices to kids in need?

Anonymous wrote:That is the most logical explanation here. It sounds like they were sold.

Wouldn't someone who bought it have used it right away?

It could have took them a few months to sell it thus the delay.

I'm impressed that you attribute sufficient willpower to the poors to hold off on letting their kids play with a toy while they were waiting 10 months or more to sell it.

Nah, they sold it right away. The buyers took a long time to activate it.

I disagree if they sold it say on ebay it takes a while unless you price is very low because there are so many other sellers on (plus most people will buy from a known store not ebay) there I think it too a few months to sell then the buyers activated it.

So if you have access to eBay to sell an unneeded electronic advice, seems like you're aware this was just a quick way to get cash. So much for getting gifts to kids who need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't do Angel Tree anymore. The gift requests have become ridiculous, and frankly, entitled. We donate and give to Toys for Tots. I'm not interested in buying an iPad for a 12 year old.

Agree. My own tweens don't have devices so I am not buying them for anyone else. I see people requesting an iPad for their 4 year old!

But your kids have financial and home stability. You can’t compare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't do Angel Tree anymore. The gift requests have become ridiculous, and frankly, entitled. We donate and give to Toys for Tots. I'm not interested in buying an iPad for a 12 year old.

They don’t know their place, is that what you mean when you call them entitled? Your 12 year old asks for an iPad you buy it. But when a 12 year old from a family with little means puts an iPad on a wish list you call it ridiculous and entitled.

The 12 year old has no idea about how the world works yet. All he knows is he would love to have an iPad. Have your family all pitch in and buy the child an iPad. It’s one of the best forms of charity we have. The gifts go right to the needy children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, why is it our place to judge what these kids want? I saw plenty of angel tree tags for things like art supplies, play kitchen toys, and board books alongside things like xbox headphones, gift cards, and drones. For older kids - presumably they see the things that other kids their age are getting and they want them, too. I don't fault them for that! It's a Christmas WISH. I bought the Xbox headphones and I deal with policing my own kids' wish lists.

+1 seriously!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't do Angel Tree anymore. The gift requests have become ridiculous, and frankly, entitled. We donate and give to Toys for Tots. I'm not interested in buying an iPad for a 12 year old.

They don’t know their place, is that what you mean when you call them entitled? Your 12 year old asks for an iPad you buy it. But when a 12 year old from a family with little means puts an iPad on a wish list you call it ridiculous and entitled.

The 12 year old has no idea about how the world works yet. All he knows is he would love to have an iPad. Have your family all pitch in and buy the child an iPad. It’s one of the best forms of charity we have. The gifts go right to the needy children.

Some people prefer to judge and punch down rather than actually helping others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All kids want iPad. And electronics.

I think before, they were asking for coats and dolls like our kids were. And i could buy them the cheaper coat and the cheaper doll, when my own kids would get the north face and the American girl doll. Prices of things have gone up and even the generic item are expensive.

I think this is one of the problems. They end up getting a lot of junk, trinkets, cheap crap as this one even admits to. If you can’t afford to get a child a decent warm coat let someone who can afford it do the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, I gave two Kindle devices as presents for kids in my Angel Tree. Now, since I had purchased them, I received a notification when the Kindles were first activated -- not on Xmas morning mind you, but several months later. Like, the following October for one, and August for the other. Curious about what is going on -- do you think the parents (or other people?) are selling these gifts or something, rather than giving the devices to kids in need?

Anonymous wrote:That is the most logical explanation here. It sounds like they were sold.

Wouldn't someone who bought it have used it right away?

It could have took them a few months to sell it thus the delay.

I'm impressed that you attribute sufficient willpower to the poors to hold off on letting their kids play with a toy while they were waiting 10 months or more to sell it.

Nah, they sold it right away. The buyers took a long time to activate it.

I disagree if they sold it say on ebay it takes a while unless you price is very low because there are so many other sellers on (plus most people will buy from a known store not ebay) there I think it too a few months to sell then the buyers activated it.

So if you have access to eBay to sell an unneeded electronic advice, seems like you're aware this was just a quick way to get cash. So much for getting gifts to kids who need them.

??? What I'm not the OP you were writing to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, I gave two Kindle devices as presents for kids in my Angel Tree. Now, since I had purchased them, I received a notification when the Kindles were first activated -- not on Xmas morning mind you, but several months later. Like, the following October for one, and August for the other. Curious about what is going on -- do you think the parents (or other people?) are selling these gifts or something, rather than giving the devices to kids in need?

Anonymous wrote:That is the most logical explanation here. It sounds like they were sold.

Wouldn't someone who bought it have used it right away?

It could have took them a few months to sell it thus the delay.

I'm impressed that you attribute sufficient willpower to the poors to hold off on letting their kids play with a toy while they were waiting 10 months or more to sell it.

Nah, they sold it right away. The buyers took a long time to activate it.

I disagree if they sold it say on ebay it takes a while unless you price is very low because there are so many other sellers on (plus most people will buy from a known store not ebay) there I think it too a few months to sell then the buyers activated it.

So if you have access to eBay to sell an unneeded electronic advice, seems like you're aware this was just a quick way to get cash. So much for getting gifts to kids who need them.

??? What I'm not the OP you were writing to.

We all know how eBay works. The point is are these gifts actually for personal use or just for reselling? If it's for resale, donors are right to be skeptical about big ticket asks. Explaining the delay in activation because of how eBay works is besides the point.

[Anonymous]

I’d like to donate but I remember being able to find a child via their website., shop and ship it directly to their facility. Can you still do that or you need to physically pick up a request list again?