Salvation Army Angel Tree

I usually spend $5 - $10 on a toy, $10 - $15 on a coat (at Ross's), and whatever extra I have on shoes, clothes, etc.

I also usually pick a younger child - 2 to 5 is looking for stuff to unwrap, not a bicycle and a wii. KWIM?

You view and pick.

I found some cute stuffed animals (beanie baby size) at Walgreens which were 3 for $10. Also, at Walmart, were some teddy bears and a monkey (looks like Curious George) for $5.99 the day after Thanksgiving. I think that price was their regular price. They were in a cardboard box. Something else that doesn't cost much is in August when school supplies are out, I go to Target and buy their Crayola crayons (16 in a pack) for $.25 each! I buy about 15 boxes and what my niece/nephew don't use, I make little gift bags of inexpensive coloring/activity books and crayons. Also, you can buy books that have a large quantity of stickers in them and put 2 or 3 pages in each gift bag. The dollar stores have good prices on stickers.

If you don't make the Salvation Army deadline, you might check with a local outreach center that provides food to families in need to locate a family in need. Also, I think the fire and police depts. collect toys to hand out to children who may have been in an accident or had a fire where they live. There are so many opportunities out there to help others, I'm sure you'll find just the thing for your family!

As mentioned you get to pick the child(ren) you wish to help. Make up a budget amount that you can afford per person and stick to it. This is where the Kohls and such bargains help. Sometimes you can't get the exact gift that is listed but you can come up with something close. Kind of think of them as your own child(ren) and what you could get them. If they want something outlandish (usually do) then you decide what they get.

When things were not tight at home I would figure about $50 per child and then see what fit and maybe fudge here and there and get the gifts. Many times I would make the gifts for the child(ren) because we usually did 4 two each ranging from baby to 10 or so. One year we added two senior angels to the list. Remember this is all tax deductible under charities.

As for the woman who wants to help with the family of six, do google the gifts so that you can get an idea of what you can afford to get without breaking your giving budget.

May you all have a very happy, safe, prosperous holiday and new year! The other S.

Hi M.,

How wonderful that even though things are tight at home, that you think of someone else's needs. You are very special!

One of the other things that goes on each year is the Christmas Wish on KLTY (94.9FM) Each morning, their on-air crew are in a different city at a Chik-Filet with books upon books of Christmas Wishes they have received.

Listeners will page through the books to find a person/s to help out. They also accept gift cards and cash donations to combine with other donations to help fill the gifts.

Either way, regardless of what you choose, it is a tremendous gift to help someone in need and your children will be blessed by your actions as well!

Enjoy the season!! {{HUG!}}

You get to view them and see what is on them and then choose one that fits what you can spend.

We just turned in our Angel gifts they are asking they all be back by the 7th you might want to pick one today.

Yes, you get to choose whichever angel you would like or you can just donate toys if you feel that you can't adopt an angel. What we do is pick someone our children's age and we always try to get them their want and need. Now don't get me wrong, we are on a tight budget as well, so we shop for sales etc. and I always try to think...if this was the only thing my child was getting for Christmas, what would I do? In that sense I try to buy cost friendly but not cheap, you know? I hope this helps some. Blessings on you and your family!

I think it's wonderful that you want to help even though "money isn't flowing too freely". It is great that you are teaching your children about giving to others! You could donate to Santa's Helpers Toy Drive - you just buy any toy you want and drop it off (unwrapped) at one of their locations. There is one at the Shops at Legacy - at the main plaza in front of the Marriott Hotel on Bishop Street – Tuesday, December 9 from 5-10 p.m.

Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas and a prosperous new year!

You get to pick the tag. For the elderly ,they often request jogging suits, coats, blankets. Little ones often ask for coats, toys, baby dolls, etc.

On the info sheet it says that people typically spend around 60.00. Quite honestly, I have always spent around 40.00 after really hunting for good sales at Kohl's and Walmart.

We have made it a family tradition to pick an angel each year. My 3 year old really understood what we were doing this year- it's a good lesson for her. I think you will find it a rewarding experience.

Another option for you is to donate to Toys for Tots. That way, you can just donate a few general items and maybe not have to spend as much money. Watch the tv ads and see where the Marines will be having their next pick-up.

It's nice that you are considering doing this even though times are tougher right now.

This is our first year to get an angel gift. I spent about $40, but could have spent less depending on where you shop. You do get to choose the angel of your choice. I'm sure the salvation Army would be happy to have a gift for a child no matter what the cost.

I am in the same boat as you on wanting to help a family when times are tight with us right now. I have decided to help a family of 6 children that is in need. I'd like to get at least one item off their list for each child and am looking for others to help. Let me know if you - or anyone else out there - is interested. Here is what she originally asked for:

I am looking for any slightly used toys or children books, for my children for christmas, that i can clean up and reuse, please email me if anyone has these things...

I asked what her kids would like and this is what she sent:

Kristina - Age 9 -size 10 gilrs, she likes some doll called american girl, I have no idea what that is but it is on her list, and she also ,,loves high school musical, and stuff like that
Alisabeth-age 5 -size 5 girls, she loves dolls, ponys, and hannah montana, and nail polish she likes to dress up alot, lol
Maya -age 8 months old MY Baby!!-She cant really talk but if you know anyone who has a highchair or playpen, I could really use that
Now the boys !
Angel -age 11 -size 12 boys, He likes playstation games, basketball, and he really wants a bike, or psp
Jacob- age 6 -size 6-7 boys he likes remote control cars , action figures , hot wheel cars
Julian - age 3 size 4t he like cars cars cars!!!! and legos, he has a v-tech and loves to play that