WWYD w this Angel Tree Request?

[Anonymous]

I signed up last minute to sponsor a child for the Salvation Army Angel Tree project and got a kid that someone else had given back. I sort of see why— the sponsorship materials say that most people spend around $90 and get a mix of clothes and gifts requested. The list has clothing sizes (no specific clothing items requested), and then the three gift requests were a “handheld game” (this has to be a Nintendo Switch, right? Which are $300) a bike, and something else that costs about $150. What would you do? Get one of the big things — and then what else? Suck it up and get everything requested, in the process spending more than you would on your own child for Christmas? And what clothing items would be best to get if none are specifically requested?

[Anonymous]

Give it back and request clarification on the clothing. If they do not do it, try again next year.

[Anonymous]

Get one or two of the big ticket items. I’d do the Nintendo switch and a lower priced bike. It’s more than I would spend on my own kids, and I’m not even getting my kids any electronics, but angel gifts are another story. Just do it. For clothing, get a winter coat, one or two zip up hoodies, a pair of PJs, and a pair of sneakers if they provided shoe size.

[Anonymous]

Give it back or get what you can afford. They are wishes, not mandatory.

We have an old version of this (not necessarily this one and lots of options online so go with cheapest and best fake reviews and - https://www.amazon.com/Beijue-Handheld-Preloaded-Electronic-Birthday/dp/B07PRFZW9B/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=hand+held+game&qid=1575775765&sr=8-7

Sometimes you can get cheap bikes, especially for younger kids so often they are actually donated.

I'd get a few pair of jeans/pants, a few nice tops, sweatshirt or sweater, socks, underwear and/or with a coat and gloves. Stick with the basics. Children's Place usually has $8 or less jeans, sometimes $6-7. Also, check Walmart online.

What are their sizes/gender? What size bikes do they need? Maybe we can help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get one or two of the big ticket items. I’d do the Nintendo switch and a lower priced bike. It’s more than I would spend on my own kids, and I’m not even getting my kids any electronics, but angel gifts are another story. Just do it. For clothing, get a winter coat, one or two zip up hoodies, a pair of PJs, and a pair of sneakers if they provided shoe size.

She/he is saying they would not buy a switch for their kids so how do they justify it for someone else kid?

[Anonymous]

I’d give it back

I thought angel tree requests were usually little kids who believed in Santa?

[Anonymous]

I hadn't heard of the Nintendo Switch. To me, handheld games meant something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Handheld-Games/b?ie=UTF8&node=166179011

[Anonymous]

Fwiw my kids (tween & teen) still use an ancient Nintendo DS which is a handheld game. (We also have a switch and an Xbox but the DS hasn't been abandoned.) It looks like they're in stores for $80: https://www.target.com/p/nintendo-2ds-electric-blue-with-new-super-mario-bros-2-game-pre-installed/-/A-53781166?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Electronics%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Electronics&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9007768&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=CjwKCAiAuK3vBRBOEiwA1IMhuln3AHU-UJSxVJqT8lywe9p0lum7DH2fMgRfhARHgg4Z2z8msGfSBRoCumkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d give it back

I thought angel tree requests were usually little kids who believed in Santa?

No, nothing to do with it. Just kids or families or individuals in need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hadn't heard of the Nintendo Switch. To me, handheld games meant something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Handheld-Games/b?ie=UTF8&node=166179011

Nope, it typically means a handheld video game. The Switch has been our for years.

[Anonymous]

My kids like those handhelds w/ classic games (Pac-Man, frogged, etc.). You can get those at B&N for like $30 and they have multiple games on them. They just need batteries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d give it back

I thought angel tree requests were usually little kids who believed in Santa?

It’s for anyone in need. I usually pick an adult because they are picked last or not at all.

[Anonymous]

Hey what you can afford. Most of these kids are told to just make a wish list. Since they’re normal kids like your own, they just wish for what they want without regard for pricing because that’s not supposed to be their priority. If they don’t get it, they’ll be ok. There has to be some sort of handheld game for less than 90 bucks out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d give it back

I thought angel tree requests were usually little kids who believed in Santa?

He’s 12 so prob on the upper end of things? Thanks all for the clothing ideas.. I’m leaning towards getting a bike — I’m assuming a 12 year old would get an adult bike or near to that? My kids are younger. And then I was thinking I could get one or two cheaper “gift-y” things in addition to some clothes, but what would they be? I just feel like I can’t justify a Nintendo switch in addition to the bike and at least the bike is good for exercise, transportation, etc. the other reason I don’t want to get the switch is bc you need money to buy games and the “good” one are around $50 so it doesn’t seem like it would be useful to the kid?

I also dont want to give it back bc, since I signed up last minute close to the cut off date, it seems unlikely someone would take the kid if I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids like those handhelds w/ classic games (Pac-Man, frogged, etc.). You can get those at B&N for like $30 and they have multiple games on them. They just need batteries.

Get one like this, and the clothes. Or just a cheaper bike and some unisex (hoodies, t-shirts) clothes. Or give it back. There is no need to spend more than you would on your own child.