Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 11:41     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


This sentiment is very sad to me. We are not religious, but we celebrate Christmas anyway. I try to stress to my kids that Christmas is about time with family and friends, sharing special meals, decorating the house, cooking, giving, and, yes, receiving, too. With all that, it is definitely not about having all of our wants fulfilled.


We're talking about poor kids who rarely get their wants fulfilled, and what makes Christmas special is that it is a time when they actually do get a chance to get something they really want. All the other stuff you talk about is fine, but on Christmas morning, no kid is hoping Santa brought some socks and underwear. Come on.


There's a lot of middle ground between "socks and underwear" and a fancy game system. C'mon.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 11:39     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


This sentiment is very sad to me. We are not religious, but we celebrate Christmas anyway. I try to stress to my kids that Christmas is about time with family and friends, sharing special meals, decorating the house, cooking, giving, and, yes, receiving, too. With all that, it is definitely not about having all of our wants fulfilled.


We're talking about poor kids who rarely get their wants fulfilled, and what makes Christmas special is that it is a time when they actually do get a chance to get something they really want. All the other stuff you talk about is fine, but on Christmas morning, no kid is hoping Santa brought some socks and underwear. Come on.


There's a difference between getting a thoughtful gift (and no, I'm not talking about socks and underwear) and getting all one's wants fulfilled. I'm of the mind that it's not healthy for anyone -- rich or poor -- to get all one's wants fulfilled.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 11:39     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
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.


+1. My family was working poor but for about 3 years we participated in this giving trees when my father was unemployed. During those years, I requested: A doll, outfit, OR winter boots. My brother requested the same except perhaps a truck instead of a doll.


Even at that young age, I couldn't imagine asking for big ticket items... we even thought requesting boots was a bit on the excessive side but we each only had one pair of shoes that were better suited for warmer temperature, not cold Northern winters.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 11:30     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


This sentiment is very sad to me. We are not religious, but we celebrate Christmas anyway. I try to stress to my kids that Christmas is about time with family and friends, sharing special meals, decorating the house, cooking, giving, and, yes, receiving, too. With all that, it is definitely not about having all of our wants fulfilled.


We're talking about poor kids who rarely get their wants fulfilled, and what makes Christmas special is that it is a time when they actually do get a chance to get something they really want. All the other stuff you talk about is fine, but on Christmas morning, no kid is hoping Santa brought some socks and underwear. Come on.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 11:30     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


This sentiment is very sad to me. We are not religious, but we celebrate Christmas anyway. I try to stress to my kids that Christmas is about time with family and friends, sharing special meals, decorating the house, cooking, giving, and, yes, receiving, too. With all that, it is definitely not about having all of our wants fulfilled.


Wow? Really? You celebrate the birth of Christ and the miracle of the immaculate conception? But you're not religious?

You don't get to say you're not religious and then carry on celebrating one of the most sacred holidays of Christianity. Shame on you.
VARunner
Post 12/04/2013 11:26     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:Question here- this past month has flown by and I neglected to do an angel tree child this year- in the past I've gone through Salvation Army but just checked their website and all gifts need to be delivered by Dec 7! Not gonna happen. Can anyone recommend another local organization with a slightly later deadline? Thx.


I would contact your local church (doesn't have to be one you attend) and inquire if there are any needs. Also, you could call your local school and ask if they have any families in need. Also, the giving doesn't have to be in the form of a christmas present. I've been reading a lot of articles about how food pantries are VERY low this year.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:43     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:Question here- this past month has flown by and I neglected to do an angel tree child this year- in the past I've gone through Salvation Army but just checked their website and all gifts need to be delivered by Dec 7! Not gonna happen. Can anyone recommend another local organization with a slightly later deadline? Thx.


Your church. If you don't go you have no biz celebrating CHRISTmas anyway.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:43     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


This sentiment is very sad to me. We are not religious, but we celebrate Christmas anyway. I try to stress to my kids that Christmas is about time with family and friends, sharing special meals, decorating the house, cooking, giving, and, yes, receiving, too. With all that, it is definitely not about having all of our wants fulfilled.


+1
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:41     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


This sentiment is very sad to me. We are not religious, but we celebrate Christmas anyway. I try to stress to my kids that Christmas is about time with family and friends, sharing special meals, decorating the house, cooking, giving, and, yes, receiving, too. With all that, it is definitely not about having all of our wants fulfilled.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:39     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

sorry but it is what it is. Look at the names on the tree, look at hwo is gettiing the gifts. You don't see Juan Espinoza or Adela Hernandez on the tree. It comes down to a work ethic, even though they might be illegal at tiems they work their asses off and don't ask for handouts.


Juan and Adela don't worry about what they don't have because they're too busy stealing from the American public with the freebies they get, from ER care to food bank items. Juan and Adela can go screw themselves at Christmastime, and go sponge off their own country.

Because nothing is more of a treat than waiting for hours for a rushed visit with a doctor you'll never see again. And oh, the heavenly texture of past-date bread and vegetables from dented cans!

PP, you need to get out more.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:32     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.


This. What is wrong with you people?


Exactly. For children, Christmas is about having their wants fulfilled. Some of ya'll seem really bitter if they don't just ask for things they need instead.


I'm all about giving kids what they want, but if all they list is an Xbox, which I can't afford, I move onto the next one that lists something within my budget. Recently moved here from a non-affluent Midwest city and come late December the only tags that generally weren't taken from the angel tree at our church were the ones that only listed big expensive items. So ok, if you're dream is for an Xbox, list it, but give some lower priced alternatives. I don't know what happens to the kids who aren't picked, always felt bad for them.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:26     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Question here- this past month has flown by and I neglected to do an angel tree child this year- in the past I've gone through Salvation Army but just checked their website and all gifts need to be delivered by Dec 7! Not gonna happen. Can anyone recommend another local organization with a slightly later deadline? Thx.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 10:05     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:The meaning of Christmas is lost. Do this, write them a note and say you will pick them up and take them to church to understand the meaning of this day. I guarentee tha tyou wil be waiting outside all day for them to come outside.

Say you will meet them outside to bring xyz and they will be out there waiting in their northface.

sorry but it is what it is. Look at the names on the tree, look at hwo is gettiing the gifts. You don't see Juan Espinoza or Adela Hernandez on the tree. It comes down to a work ethic, even though they might be illegal at tiems they work their asses off and don't ask for handouts.


Do they preach racism at your church too, or is this taught at home?
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 09:16     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our office stopped adopting a family years ago after going to deliver the gifts and they had more electronics, big screen tvs, laptops high end shoes than we did. We were nto the only office to adopt them and the other office felt the same way.


When you have little to look forward to, these are the things that you go for. My dad grew up in the depression and he said it was the same even back then.


This mentality is what hurts the poor the most. I eat left overs and ramen noodles at work to afford my down payment while the guards here at my work order in fancy seafood from downtown restaurants daily. I couldn't imagine spending that much on food daily when I know their salaries.

You may know thier salary, but you do not know what the spouse, or their significant other makes.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2013 09:09     Subject: Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items
Anonymous wrote:

sorry but it is what it is. Look at the names on the tree, look at hwo is gettiing the gifts. You don't see Juan Espinoza or Adela Hernandez on the tree. It comes down to a work ethic, even though they might be illegal at tiems they work their asses off and don't ask for handouts.


Juan and Adela don't worry about what they don't have because they're too busy stealing from the American public with the freebies they get, from ER care to food bank items. Juan and Adela can go screw themselves at Christmastime, and go sponge off their own country.