Blueridge Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I was up late fretting over our family's Christmas and how we were going to afford much. I had saved for one nice present each for the girls, but not much left for little goodies, stocking stuffers, etc. Well, I know many are in this boat. Besides that is the need for an individual family in our church, that our choir wanted to sponsor. Each of us is supposed to be bringing what we can to fulfill their needs for clothing and gifts. Dd15 has been sewing dolly clothes but so far that's all we have to donate. Things got even more stressful this morning. Last week our church was announcing the angel tree they had put up...I was home sick and didn't know...and the girls went to the tree to pick an angel to give gifts to and ended up picking 8 angels. :ohmy: I know those children don't have much at all, but 6 of them are older teens wanting clothes. I just don't know what to do. Goodwill clothes look nice but you can tell they aren't new. I am battling my upset and trying to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, but all this takes cash or super duper imagination, and I have neither. Please give me suggestions of what we can give these children, because my daughter's hearts were right to get so many off the tree 'because nobody else was'. :crying: Thank you for any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Sue Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Oh, what sweet girls you have...we are in a similar situation w/ trying to help a family whose dad just lost his job and we have enough financial troubles of our own. I think it's important to let our kids help. I thought one thing we could do would be to do a couple jars of cookie mix deocrated w/ ribbon, along with a cookie sheet and cutters--it's not so much a present, but a nice Christmas experience they can share together. Same w/ crafts, but I haven't gotten far on ideas for that yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Take the angels back to church. No one expects one family to purchase for 8 angles. People will understand. If you feel bad, pick one angel and take the rest back. For your stocking stuffers, go to garage sales and watch freecycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I would promptly return all the angels to the tree since you are not in a financial position to purchase the items wanted. Your children are old enough to understand the difficult truths of life. Explain to them how they can serve people with their time and come up with ideas to help that way. The dolly clothes for the choir-sponsored family can be your tangible gift contribution. Depending upon how much you have for "...little goodies, stocking stuffers,...", would you and all your children be willing to spend those funds on the choir-sponsored family or on one of the angels? I would certainly understand if no one wanted to do so, but based upon your original post, I see no other options if you want to give tangible gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I was up late fretting over our family's Christmas and how we were going to afford much. I had saved for one nice present each for the girls, but not much left for little goodies, stocking stuffers, etc. Well, I know many are in this boat. Besides that is the need for an individual family in our church, that our choir wanted to sponsor. Each of us is supposed to be bringing what we can to fulfill their needs for clothing and gifts. Dd15 has been sewing dolly clothes but so far that's all we have to donate. Things got even more stressful this morning. Last week our church was announcing the angel tree they had put up...I was home sick and didn't know...and the girls went to the tree to pick an angel to give gifts to and ended up picking 8 angels. :ohmy: I know those children don't have much at all, but 6 of them are older teens wanting clothes. I just don't know what to do. Goodwill clothes look nice but you can tell they aren't new. I am battling my upset and trying to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, but all this takes cash or super duper imagination, and I have neither. Please give me suggestions of what we can give these children, because my daughter's hearts were right to get so many off the tree 'because nobody else was'. :crying: Thank you for any ideas. Mention this to your daughters. Money is not in infinite supply. Would they rather give to a needy family or receive nice gifts? They may surprise you and choose smaller items for themselves for the satisfaction of having blessed someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenDaisies Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Eight angels is a lot. I am sure it would be no issue to return them to the tree, and explain the situation. If the girls feel strongly about helping, keep 1 of the angels. In no way should you feel badly about not being in a position to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redheadmom Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I usually keep an eye on the dollar racks and clearance sections for little stocking stuffers. You have almost 3 weeks to find or make some little things. As to the angels, that is hard. Since the gifts are not something you can easily provide, would it be possible to take them back and possibly exchange for ones that are better suited for where you are this year, items you can craft, etc. If you do decide to keep the original angels, shop smart. Honestly Goodwill is not my first stop since I can frequently find new clothes for the same price. The clearance racks at Walmart, Ross's, Rugged Warehouse, Marshalls, etc. I don't know where you live but if you are Mid-Atlantic, find a Gabriel Brothers store. They have new seconds and overstocks for clothing and housewares. Just a few ideas. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Definitely take the angels back. Since it was the first Sunday that the tree was up I'm willing to bet that a lot of people that will participate just haven't picked an angel up yet. For stocking stuffers visit the dollar store or Target dollar bins. Check out pinterest too, for stocking ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Another vote for take the angels back, or at least most of them. Others who were planning on takin an angel might miss out on a chance to give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Take the angel tree participants back. At our tree, they encourage spending $30-$50 a gift. They really want things to be "Even" among all the receivers. IF your kids have their own money and want to participate, then they can take care of the angel they chose. but it isn't fair to THEM if you can't spend the expected amount. Better to have them "left on the tree" for others to take who can handle providing Christmas for them. Call the church. This can't be the first time this has happened! OR if the kids want to participate, could you handle buying for 1 if you didn't do little things or stocking stuffers? Maybe they would prefer that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Yes, please take the angels back. Don't feel guilty about it. Explain to your kids that you aren't in a position to help them right now, and it wouldn't be fair of you to keep the names, if someone else truly can help! This thread http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/442139-what-do-you-do-when-theres-nothing-to-spend-on-christmas/page__hl__christmas?do=findComment&comment=4504668 has some great suggestions for little or no cost presents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 That was really sweet of your girls to do, but I agree that you should get them back asap so that someone else can help those people out. If you wait too long, you're putting those people at a disadvantage of not being picked by someone who can truly help them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thank you all for kind suggestions. I was frantic because they said the lady was coming back this Sunday to pick up the items, so there isn't time to return them. We did go to the Dollar Tree today and found them all really nice scarves so that's a start. I'll try to contact a member to see if we could have more time, but if not, I will keep looking tomorrow for great deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Old Navy/Aeopostale/Crazy Eight are all having huge sales on tshirts - like $5/shirt. For the kids that requested clothes a cute shirt with a cute scarf would be great. JcPenny also had a lot of things on sale - $3-$5 dollars for trendy shirts. I would be returning some of the names but if that isn't an option I hope that gives you some ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I'd still contact the organizer and letting her know the situation...maybe keeping one of the angels. It's not too late for the need to be made known to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 We were told that each Angel Tree gift should be around the $35 mark???? I think that is right. No way I could do 8 of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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