I have his name from a Christmas gift tree. Budget: $15-20. Ideas?
A remote controlled car. All boys love those =)
A cool beanie hat and some gloves would be nice.
A drawing book for older kids, cool drawing pad from a craft store, and some drawing pencils.
A small radio (about the size of an ipod) with headphones... but nothing that he would have to download songs to. Just an AM/FM mini radio. And don't forget batteries.
I think getting a backpack would be lame. But that's just my idea.
I second the practical idea,
back pack, with toothpaste , toothbrush, maybe if you can find a hat and glove set on sale.
But I'd also put in something fun like a glove and baseball set or a football.
That is a wonderful thing, but does more than one person have the name ans will be gifting the child? Is it a homeless shelter where he is a resident (comes back to every night after school and living as if staying in a dorm) or a shelter where it is a bed/cot and they have to take all of their belongings with them everyday. I think THIS would be the deciding factor. If he is in a shelter where he is a resident, then card games such as uno, a little MP3 Player (you can get those cheap these days) with a gift card to get songs is a good idea. The shelters & libraries have computers to purchase songs. He then can have 'music' like his friends. If he is an 'overnight' shelter where he comes back just to sleep and must take everything with him during the day, then a 'hoodies, hats, gloves' are always a sure win with tween boys. You can even throw in some of those PJ pants. Now I am different from others here.... I do not feel you should get a load up from Good Will or a Thrift Store. At 12, he knows if it is something that is new/ with that new smell. He too wants something NEW to unwrap. Yes it is pratcial to think of going to Good Will will allow him to have more; but emotionally you would be giving a better gift by one or two things new than many things old. TRUST ME! Right now he is getting other 'hand me down/recycled items'; so new would be a gift in itself. I have done extensive work/volunteer opportunities in homeless shelters and many just can not understand the mind set of people in this situation. Trust me; ONE thing new means more than MULTIPLE things used. (Yes I know you can get new things at Good Will), but it is NOT the same. Homeless kids especially have said, it is so nice to get things still with tags attached and one kid I recall once being thankful to actual get something that was wrapped in tissue paper ;). I recall a mom/children combo onc writing that they dreamed of the time to sleep in a bed with 'matching sheets'. Something we NEVER think about. I know I am guilty. When I use to give sheets to the shelter, they were mix/match ones. Now I am sure to give matching ones and will even give 'kiddie sheets' so that there 6/7 year old girl can too sleep on matching Princess Sheets. (SMILE). I know that is a long explanation, but I wanted to use the opportunity to make others aware of this situation. That is why the donation of clothes (yes it clears our closet; but that donation is not the best donation for shelters); unless they are disposable diapers that our childrn have outgrown. In Wisconsin, coats, hats, gloves, boots are always needed.
So to your answer if it is a shelter where he return and is a resident; then something new and fun (MP3 player $10 these days) with music. (Uno Attack). If it is just an over-night shelter then new & pratical; Underwear/hoodie, socks/hoodie, hat/gloves & a hoodie sweatshirt or PJ pants/hoodie. I hop this helps. Thank you for doing this....
Where did you get his name from? Do they do that in all cities? Oh geez it'd be near impossible for me to stay on a budget. I'd say some practical things and a couple fun things... nothing someone's going to attack him for ya know. Get him a cheap backpack from goodwill to put what you get him in. Try and get him a warm hoodie from goodwill, so you don't blow the budget before the fun stuff :D Is this something you give him in person? Bring him burger king :P
I would think practical...
A backpack, he can use it for school or for storing his personal items
Personal items, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, socks, etc
Do you know his clothing size.. a hoodie.
axe body wash. and a walkman or ipod warm clothes but make them new. if he is homeless he will never get new. even if they come from the clearance rack they are still new. I second the back pack. he is living his life out of a bag literally. I also second getting several used things from a thrift store sweat shirts and thermals and a warm blanket. but get him some new also
Harry Potter book? Labyrinth game? Uno Attack? School backpack filled with school supplies?
How sweet of you. God bless.
You have gotten some great ideas. Just the thought of children in homeless shelters brings tears. God Bless you.
I second the MP3 player it is small and he could carry it around, new hoodie gift certificates to fast food place or gift cert to a movie theater IF you know what's close to where he lives
Throw in a Bible from the thrift store (they are too expensive brand new)
or go on peopletopeople.org and ask them for the free CD, which they will send you for free.,It will give him the message of the gospel (so appropriate at xmas or for someone who might be down on thier luck or depressed) and this CD is the BOMB.
clothes or something that he can build like lego sets. those wood sculptures of animals you put together. board game.
Great ideas! Are there any fast food or teen type restaurants in the area of the shelter? If so, a gift card from one of those would be something fun for him. I second the new hoody and warm clothes, it's cold in WI.
Homeless shelters have very limited space so I would say something hand held. Maybe a gameboy type thing. He's old enough to be entertained and really enjoy just about any game on one of those. Anything personal, just his, everything he ever had is gone. His toys, his clothes, his pictures, etc...all gone.
Can you tell me where you found this gift tree? I am looking to find one to give as well. Thanks!
how bout a gift card-so he can pick out what he really wants or needs??..poor kid..good for you.this year im unable to give to charity-due to vet bills exceeding 3 grand since july-but i help ppl on this property where i live and work-take in their groceries,take out their garbage etc.thats yr round though.
Maybe some trading cards like baseball, football, or hockey.
Warm winter gear like a beanie hat and warm mittens.
