My office decided to have an outreach center pick a large family from there angel tree, well there are 3 adults and 9 children, 3 of the children are 2 years old, and 2 are 1 years old, one of the adults is 74, so obviously there is a lot of irresponsibility in this family, i'm sorry i just had to get that out, anyway i only have $470.00 for this family so far, how can i get this shopping accomplished? one of the adults wants a tv and a trac phone, and another one wants a playstation and games, i don't see this happening, i think i should worry about the poor children first, any suggestions?
2006-12-12 03:39:40 · 10 answers · asked by AFwife 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Its good your doing this, and you have plenty of money. I think that the adults that want a tv and a trac phone and playstation are asking for a little much considering their family is in financial trouble as it is (obviously) The kids you can get a lot of really neat things at wal mart, big lots, tj maxx, and Marshalls for really cheap. Even dollar store have a big baby section. Remember 2 and 1 year olds dont know where it came from or how much it cost. Just make sure you are getting something age appropriate for them. The older kids - try and get them 1 or 2 items they asked for (money permitting) as for the adults I would get them some small items and then split the remaining money and get them gift cards to wal mart so they can spend the money you are financially able to give toward whatever they want (whether its a tv or new clothes for the kids), and remember you are doing this out of kindness and people will recognize that - do the best you can with what you've got. Have a Merry Christmas!!!
2006-12-12 03:48:45 · answer #1 · answered by afallenstar26 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my. Angel tree family? Nine kids and the adults want to play games? I don't think I would fund that project. Why do poor people want cell phones? It's just more expensive then a regular phone...I don't get it.
I try not to be judgemental but anyone who brings nine children into a situation without money makes me beyond angry--they need a case of condoms and some birth control, to start...
On the other hand, bless you for funding the holiday for a poor family. Don't bother with the expensive presents for the adults. Just ignore them. They should be focusing on getting jobs so I would get them something to move them into that direction--I'm trying to think of something. Maybe a gift certificate of some kind...some kind of educational support. Classes would be a good start. And I wouldn't feel bad about it. This should be about the children.
Did the children even ask for things? Was the playstation for the kids?
There are some excellent electronic educational games for young children which are also fun. It has to be fun though, right?
Doing the math, you have about $50 per child and then some money for the three adults left over. I would try to work with the stores to make sure you don't have to pay tax on these gifts. This is a charitable contribution you shouldn't have to pay tax on it, right? There should be a way to work with them--talk to the management. You may be able to stretch your dollars this way too. And get the kids more stuff...poor thing.
EDITED to ADD: I just remembered that WalMart does do charity giving. I approached them to contribute to the MS Society for me once. You might try just going to the local Wally World and talking to the manager about what you're doing to see if they can help you either by donating some toys and other items or by giving you a discount toward your purchases for this. Boy, this will take some work though, and it sounds like you have a lot to do. I only mention WalMart because the superstores seem to have just about everything, and you've got a range to cover with this family...
Here is a list of resources you may find helpful too: apparently when you buy, say, "Polar Express" the video, a portion of the proceeds go to project Angel Tree, so that would be a good gift to get the kids....from their website.
Good luck!
http://www.angeltree.org/contentindex.asp?ID=824
2006-12-12 11:59:00 · answer #2 · answered by Vik 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a hard one. My question is why are the adults even on the
tree. Most Angel tree's here are just for kids. Why not buy for the kids and take the of the money you would spend on the adults and buy them Christmas dinner and spend the most of the money for the kids. Besides you don't have to buy what they want and the sound to me to be a little greedy unless some one else filled out this for them (that's the way it works here any way) then it's not there fault. And just because there a big family that don't make them irresponsible they also could have just fallen on hard times this last little while. Just do the best you can for them that's all you can do in the end.
2006-12-12 11:52:36 · answer #3 · answered by † Dark Slayer † aka: NiSeY 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try to get one or two gifts that the WHOLE family can enjoy! Maybe you can purchase a TV and/or a dvd player and then buy educational dvds for the toddlers, and maybe gift cards for movies that the adults would like!
You can get a nice sized 32" tv for $300 or less from Best Buy or Circuit City and you can get a decent dvd player for $40 or less from nearly anywhere. That leaves $130, spend maybe $40-50 on dvds, and you can buy the children clothes, diapers, toys, etc. with the rest!
Hope this helps!
2006-12-12 11:49:31 · answer #4 · answered by youngwahm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's quite an extravagant list for a poor family. i adopted some kids this season and the stuff on their list was lip gloss and pants. it broke my heart. i can't believe they are asking for phones and tv's and playstations!
i hate to say it, but i would stray away from their list and pick out my own stuff, based on the age of the children and sex. if you go to a toys r us, you can find plenty of dress-up princess outfits for girls, big remote control cars for boys (make sure you get rechargable batteries), books, puzzles, educational toys, and all sorts of other good stuff.
it really shouldn't be your obligation (especially if your office chose this family) to buy $500 game consoles and TV's for this family. there is SO much more you could buy if you spend $470 wisely.
2006-12-12 11:50:43 · answer #5 · answered by Kendra G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy them household goods, they probably need decent towels and some good groceries. Worry about the kids first the adults are showing their greed if they are talking about Electronic goods.
I would probably buy the family some good Bathroom Towels and hygiene products.
2006-12-12 11:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here, I'll make it easier for you. Buy gifts for my family, 1 adult (me) and two kids (one is 9, the other is 2). Feel better now? Ok, all joking aside, why don't you go to Wal-Mart and get age appropriate gifts for them all. They shouldn't get picky if they're having a charity center buy their x-mas gifts.
2006-12-12 11:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by precious_jules81 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Holy crap, they are telling you what they want, how ungrateful. I would get the kids toys but I wouldn't get the adults anything. My wife and I don't even buy for each other, we spend it all on our kids.
2006-12-12 11:43:49 · answer #8 · answered by boobhead 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may buy a wholesale lot of clothing and give them what to wear for a year :-) good luck the intention is what is worth
2006-12-12 11:43:20 · answer #9 · answered by Luis M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get them coal. they are bad for not having money to get their own stuff. it is what santa would do
2006-12-12 11:41:51 · answer #10 · answered by jesus is gay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋