Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't spend anything insane. $20-$40 is usually what they ask you to spend because other kids in the family are also on the Angel Tree and they don't want a huge disparity in what the gifts are. One kid can't get Beats from their donor and the other one gets some $10 earbuds, see what I mean?

Thanks, OP here. I was thinking about that as well, thank you!

Why you would spend $200 on ear buds for your 9 year old is for another post.

Op again. I don't have a 9 year old so I'm not sure what I would do; I was just making an example. But when I have do have a 9 year old, and need help, I'll make sure to come back and ask for your sage advice. Care to provide your info so I can tag you because you appear to be a brilliant parent. In the meantime, thank you for your help on THIS post.

LOL- I love you for this OP!

Anonymous wrote:Akways give items that are not easily sold like plain clothing (nothing North Face especially) or simple toys and books that will engage a child but have little street value. Toys for Tots discourages anything that will be taken from a child and sold

The implication of this is so depressing.

Akways give items that are not easily sold like plain clothing (nothing North Face especially) or simple toys and books that will engage a child but have little street value. Toys for Tots discourages anything that will be taken from a child and sold

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad because when I looked at the tree at our local mall, all the kids were asking for stuff that cost more than what I bought for my own kid. I have a hard time rationalizing spending more on a stranger than my own kid, especially in a lean year for us financially. So I haven't grabbed an Angel yet this year.

Honestly, though, if a kid participating in this program is expecting a $400 game system or a $150 pair of designer headphones, he is setting himself up for a world of disappointment. I get that they're kids, but if your parents are poor enough to be participating in this program, they may have to set their expectations lower than top-of-the-line stuff. (Plus what happens if the parent sells the stuff to pay rent?)

That's exactly why a lot of charities that have giving trees, discourage donors from giving high priced items (though it's not always "to pay rent.")

Anonymous wrote:I have a 9y old who asked for headphones. He is getting a $35 pair of Skullcandy ones. He asked for Beats. I laughed.

Op again, thank you so much! I'll look on Amazon for skull candy brand.

I have a 9y old who asked for headphones. He is getting a $35 pair of Skullcandy ones. He asked for Beats. I laughed.

I feel bad because when I looked at the tree at our local mall, all the kids were asking for stuff that cost more than what I bought for my own kid. I have a hard time rationalizing spending more on a stranger than my own kid, especially in a lean year for us financially. So I haven't grabbed an Angel yet this year.

Honestly, though, if a kid participating in this program is expecting a $400 game system or a $150 pair of designer headphones, he is setting himself up for a world of disappointment. I get that they're kids, but if your parents are poor enough to be participating in this program, they may have to set their expectations lower than top-of-the-line stuff. (Plus what happens if the parent sells the stuff to pay rent?)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't spend anything insane. $20-$40 is usually what they ask you to spend because other kids in the family are also on the Angel Tree and they don't want a huge disparity in what the gifts are. One kid can't get Beats from their donor and the other one gets some $10 earbuds, see what I mean?

Thanks, OP here. I was thinking about that as well, thank you!

Why you would spend $200 on ear buds for your 9 year old is for another post.

Op again. I don't have a 9 year old so I'm not sure what I would do; I was just making an example. But when I have do have a 9 year old, and need help, I'll make sure to come back and ask for your sage advice. Care to provide your info so I can tag you because you appear to be a brilliant parent. In the meantime, thank you for your help on THIS post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't spend anything insane. $20-$40 is usually what they ask you to spend because other kids in the family are also on the Angel Tree and they don't want a huge disparity in what the gifts are. One kid can't get Beats from their donor and the other one gets some $10 earbuds, see what I mean?

Thanks, OP here. I was thinking about that as well, thank you!

Why you would spend $200 on ear buds for your 9 year old is for another post.

Anonymous wrote:Don't spend anything insane. $20-$40 is usually what they ask you to spend because other kids in the family are also on the Angel Tree and they don't want a huge disparity in what the gifts are. One kid can't get Beats from their donor and the other one gets some $10 earbuds, see what I mean?

Thanks, OP here. I was thinking about that as well, thank you!

Not = and

I buy a coat, always. I buy some warm clothes and two toys. And always a book. I'd get a midrange pair of headphones.

I can usually keep it under $100.

Holy crap, no kid needs $150 headphones. If you spend $40 or so for a nice pair with good reviews, I think that's more than adequate. Not that goes for your kid, as well.

Don't spend anything insane. $20-$40 is usually what they ask you to spend because other kids in the family are also on the Angel Tree and they don't want a huge disparity in what the gifts are. One kid can't get Beats from their donor and the other one gets some $10 earbuds, see what I mean?

How much do you spend?

The little 9 year old I got asked for headphones. If it were my 9 year old, and it was his main gift, I'd probably buy Beats, or whatever is the "hot" headphone du jour, for $150-$200. A niece or nephew would probably get a $40-ish pair of headphones, though, so I was thinking that's what the Angel Tree gift would be too. I don't want to break this kid's heart if he's expecting a pair of Beats by Dre - but I also can't spend $150 on him.

How much would you spend, and what would you get him?