Salvation Army Angel tree as a needy family - part 2
Previously, I discussed that my family is not doing well and we signed up our 9 yr old for the Salvation army Christmas Angel Tree. I’ve been putting off this post, because I really wasn’t sure how to not sound like a jerk.
I realize beggars can’t be choosers. I’m thankful for what we received. Yet I still find myself disappointed by the experience. I may end up sounding like a jerk. You’re going to have to take my word for it that I am not one.
I‘m going to call my child “Kiddo” for the duration of this post.
Kiddo had made an angel tree request list as follows – She was allowed to choose two toy elements. She choose Five Nights at Freddy’s and Plushie toys.
They then took down her size information – 14/16 plus (she is chubby) *or* ladies medium/large if short armed or legged and size 7.5 wide shoes (women’s size)
I understand they can’t fit all that on an angel tree card. They give you back your card when you pick up your things. Kiddo’s said Plush, Five nights Freddy, 8w shoes, and 14/16 size clothes.
When we went to pick it, it was in a large warehouse type building. You can't bring your kiddo with you. I stood in line, gave my sheet, presented my ID. Then I got to pick two items from a small toy table. There were lots of small toys like hairbrushes, pencils, socks, notebooks, gloves, hats, plastic jewelry, small toy vehicles, pacifiers, baby toys, small bagged lego sets. We chose a small Frozen bagged lego set and a pair of Christmas socks.
Then they gave me my main black garbage bag of mystery presents and I took it home.
We took it home and did not let Kiddo see the contents. I admit I had been kind of assuming she would get at least ont FNAF item or plush stuffed animal. She got neither. Again, I understand I am asking for free toys, and I don’t want to seem like a jerk. I did think though, what was the point in having a request. Expectation was the problem on my part, I know that. If they had only taken her name and her age on her card, I would have been less disappointed.
What it did contain were clothes that were too small (no plus, all skinny/slim.). They were nice clothes but they just wouldn’t fit. The pants were so tiny my size 2 adult-sized kiddo (college kiddo) couldn’t get them up above her knees. There were a few crafting kits like you see at 5 below (necklace kit, slime kit that kind of thing). There was a large pink pillow, the kind with armrests and a back. There was also a red-net stocking that was pre-filled that I think they gave to all the kids. That contained pretty nice basics and small toys like shampoo, soap, hairbrush, pencils, markers, two small plastic fairies, slime, a pair of fuzzy socks, knit hat and gloves, and a coloring book. I think there was also a few candy bars or candy canes.
I do wish there had been more food. I had heard at some salvation armies that they give the family a bag of holiday food, but ours apparently doesn’t do that.
Was it nice Christmas stuff? Yes absolutely. However I was upset that they didn’t put her correct size on the angel tree tag. I can’t blame the person who filled the bag, they had no idea. I also wish she had gotten one plushie stuffed animal or Five Nights at Freddy’s item. Kiddo was still happy and still had a great Christmas.
My advice to anyone thinking of doing Angel tree, is absolutely to do it. On either side, as a gifter or receiver. However if your child is a recipient, try to emphasize sizes. Also maybe have your child choose toys that are simple for people to understand. I think the term “plushy toys” and “Five Nights Freddy” was not at all understood by whomever picked my kiddo’s angel. Encourage the kids to choose something even a 70 yr old would understand.
If you’re a gifter and you don’t understand what’s on the Angel tag, google it. Additionally I do not recommend buying fitted waist pants for any child you don’t have in front of you. This is not just about salvation army tree. If you’re gifting pants to a child you don’t know that well, get an elastic waist pair, maybe with a drawstring as well. If you’re getting a child you don’t know well a shirt, *do not* buy the slim-fit tee. Unless someone specifically says “slim” or skinny” try to get things that would fit a wider variety of bodies. Not everyone who is poor is skinny, in fact I think more poor kids are chubby than well-off kids are chubby.
I am thankful to have gotten anything, and I am happy my kiddo got some nice things. They loved the crafting kits, fuzzy socks, and slimes. *But* I think it thwarts the intent of the angel tree gifters to put incomplete sizing information on the angel card. I am sure if they had known she was chubby and needed plus size, they would have given her those items. As it is, I have charity well-intended but that I have no use for. I’m donating the clothes back to the salvation army, or gifting them to another poor child in my neighborhood, because I’m not about to sell them or let them go to waste.
