Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always surprising to see X-box, leather jacket, that kind of thing, on these trees. I know: "So don't pick that tag and don't buy that thing." However, the chutpah involved, especially in this economic environment, always gives me pause.

What do you think would be a more appropriate Christmas gift? Gloves? A scarf and hat? A can of Comet? Please enlighten us.

If you are poor and need charity, it is not appropriate to ask for big ticket items. Matter of a fact, it is not appropriate to ask for expensive gift to anyone besides your SO or your parents when you are a kid/teen.

So, if I were a poor person in need of charity and needed a winter coat, I would not ask for a "leather jacket," I would ask for a "x winter jacket" (x being the color of my preference). If I needed shoes, I would ask for a pair of boots, or sneakers or whatever - but I wouldn't ask for "fryer boots." I would never have the balls to ask for a tv or xbox or whatever, unless I specify a "used tv or xbox."

Don't be obtuse pp.

+1000

I completely agree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always surprising to see X-box, leather jacket, that kind of thing, on these trees. I know: "So don't pick that tag and don't buy that thing." However, the chutpah involved, especially in this economic environment, always gives me pause.

What do you think would be a more appropriate Christmas gift? Gloves? A scarf and hat? A can of Comet? Please enlighten us.

If you are poor and need charity, it is not appropriate to ask for big ticket items. Matter of a fact, it is not appropriate to ask for expensive gift to anyone besides your SO or your parents when you are a kid/teen.

So, if I were a poor person in need of charity and needed a winter coat, I would not ask for a "leather jacket," I would ask for a "x winter jacket" (x being the color of my preference). If I needed shoes, I would ask for a pair of boots, or sneakers or whatever - but I wouldn't ask for "fryer boots." I would never have the balls to ask for a tv or xbox or whatever, unless I specify a "used tv or xbox."

Don't be obtuse pp.

These are kids pp -- how dare kids who have no stream of income, no jobs, and no idea of economics(BECAUSE THEY ARE KIDS!!) have the nerve to ask for stuff they see on TV or in the hands of other kids.
If you do not want to give it, don't. GIVE A 6 YR OLD A GIANT GIFT CARD !

When my sister was really struggling her husband went out and bought their DD an American Doll. That's all she got but I couldn't believe they got a $100 doll when just a couple months prior they were complaining about the cost of school supplies. When I asked she said that all of the other girls had them and she was actually being left out at recess because of it.

We were raised poor and I remember wanting, and not getting, a Cabbage Patch Kid because we couldn't afford one. I never liked or wanted dolls before but everyone had one and I was being left out. So I get it. All their friends have those things and they want to be included in the discussions and games.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[
You have no idea how the question is asked. When we distribute Toys for Tots and other things at work, the kids don't know that the gifts are coming from "charity". We ask kids what they wish for or dream of. They don't know why we're asking, we make it seem like a conversation.

You distribute the toys for Toys for Tots at work? Are you a Marine Reservist? I ask because my Dh used to be a reserve Marine (he is currently active duty) and was distributed for Toys for Tots many times.

When he did it, the kids were not there--the parents came to pick things up. Usually, they would complain that the toys weren't good enough--people would fight if someone else got a better toy than they did, etc.

No, I'm a school administrator at a Title One school that's a TfT site.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We adopt an angel child every year. This year I went a little over board because the little girl only asked for a winter coat and a doll. Something about just wanting a doll hit me, I realized she really has so little if her only wish is a doll.

I do think it's out of hand for kids to ask or expect 600$ xboxes, my kids know better than to ask for gift with that kind of price tag and were well off.

Wait, you realize that this little girl is also on several other charity lists right? That's why there are only 2 things on the tag. They spread the requests out over various charities and lists.

Since you are so informed, you've no doubt seen the stack of tags for kids who don't even make it on the tree because the first round of tags is still there. I imagine there are very few children successfully working the angel tree system to a donated baby doll bonanza.

I had a friend with a tumor near her heart which required a lot of hospitalization, chemo and surgeries for quite some time. She was a single mom. She got put on one of those giving trees and the volunteer told her to ask for an iPod so she could listen to music during chemo. The volunteer told her there are people who want to help out and buy expensive items. She didn't get it, but you never know the back story to why someone is asking for something. I've noticed over the past couple of years most tags have two nominal items listed...like there's a list of things and they check off two..doll and shirt eg.

WTF does "Mcmansionland" have to do with the matter at hand? Are you people for real?

^^^ giving. Whatever.

Leave it up to DCUM to criticize even angel going trees for children's presents. That's the Christmas spirit! Way to go!

I haven't done an angel tree in a while because I'm dead broke but when I did, I always went by the rule of thumb of picking families who were asking for things I would give my own family. If you don't like what they are asking for, move on to another family.

Anonymous wrote:Yes I see this a lot. Lower SES people are a lot more materialistic and worry more on status symbols.

I smell something stinking, and it's you PP.

Hmmm...ever drive through McMansion land? Check out the SUVs, big screen TV, an iPad for every kid.

A chicken in every pot be damned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Poor" in the US doesn't mean the same thing as poor in other less developed countries. Poor here get food stamps, free housing and transportation subsidies which all means a lot more money goes to their satellite dishes, purses, cars and clothes. I'm shocked every time I drive past section 8 housing here, they ALL have satellite dishes. I don't even have cable!

I feel the same way every time I drive past Trump Towers and think about how many times the Donald declared bankruptcy and is still rolling in the dough!! Must be nice to write off millions in debt but still have millions to show for it!!

Damn straight! You hit it right on the head. I've never filed bankruptcy, pay my bills, and can barely get a car loan. Those who have the gold make the rules in their favor!

This thread just makes me sad. If they are scamming the system, it's sad. If others choose not to give because they are worried about being scammed its sad. Just sad all around. I still want to do an angel tree gift though. I just can't stand all those wishes going unfulfilled

The family we adopted for Christmas had winter jackets, pots and pans, and clothes on the list. No specific clothing items, just "clothes" and the family members' sizes. We are fortunate we can meet these needs and have bought other gifts (and grocery gift cards). No xbox or electronics or anything fancy. We went though a Catholic Charities organization that matched us with the family.

Anonymous wrote:[
You have no idea how the question is asked. When we distribute Toys for Tots and other things at work, the kids don't know that the gifts are coming from "charity". We ask kids what they wish for or dream of. They don't know why we're asking, we make it seem like a conversation.

You distribute the toys for Toys for Tots at work? Are you a Marine Reservist? I ask because my Dh used to be a reserve Marine (he is currently active duty) and was distributed for Toys for Tots many times.

When he did it, the kids were not there--the parents came to pick things up. Usually, they would complain that the toys weren't good enough--people would fight if someone else got a better toy than they did, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:parents sell food stamps for cigarette money. YOu know what they are going to do with an Xbox or leather jacket. Instead of breaking a child's hear by having the expensive gift taken away by a parent, give them something that has no street value so they can actually retain the gift. Before I am called a cunt, etc., I do know what I am talking about.

What state still uses paper food stamps? As far as I know, everything is on a debit card now. You can't sell food stamps anymore. They don't exist. They haven't existed for at least a decade.

There are still corrupt stores. One by me got busted for this a while ago. They sell ineligible items, fabricate sales, etc. people allow others to use their debit cards in exchange for cash. Fraud is way, way down compared to the old days, but it does still happen.

Fraud happens across SES lines, ask Bernie Madoff.
We all take chances everyday of getting ripped off by someone , be it ur lawyer, landlord, boss, or the homeless dude outside ur office.
Evaluate the risk you are willing to take OR NOT, then just STFU!