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?)

Anonymous wrote:

I also think kids living in affluent families also acquire a good case of the gimmes if they are given status items they don't earn. I think a cheap pair of head phones tells these kids if they want the $150 ones, they have to work for them themselves.

fixed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.")

I also think kids living in poverty also acquire a good case of the gimmes if they are given status items they don't earn or are used to being around. I think a cheap pair of head phones tells these kids if they want the $150 ones, they have to work for them themselves - or their parents do.

It seems like the staff of giving trees needs to work with families on appropriate requests. Afterall they are given these items out of the kindness of strangers' hearts and should be grateful for what they get. I know many families are grateful but there are also many bad apples making all participants look bad.

You're the awful woman from yesterday's McDonald's thread, aren't you? You suck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

I got my 10 yo ear buds from Safeway for $4.99.

So some poor child of a prisoner is asking for that? Sorry - But I'd disappoint him. sounds as though he needs a lesson or two about the realities of life . . .

Anonymous wrote: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?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The implication is depressing but it's true.