How much to spend on angel tree gift
Angel Tree Sponsor – The Salvation Army of Charlottesville VA
How You Can Get Involved:
– Participate individually or gather a group of employees from your company, a church, club or neighborhood group.
– Determine how many angels you want to help this year.
– Pick up an Angel Tree tag or tags at a location near you and shop for the items listed.
– Host an Angel Tree Location or a gift drive to collect new and unwrapped gifts for the Angel Tree program.
Instructions:
- Please do not wrap any of the gifts (this is an important security measure)
- Do not combine more than one angel in a bag
- Place all donations for each child into a bag
- Securely tape the Angel Tag with the child’s unique numeric code to the bag
- If you purchase an item that is too large to fit into a bag, write the angel code on a piece of paper and tape to the item
- Do not forget to remove the bottom portion of the Angel Tag for tax receipt purposes
- Return Gifts to an Angel Tree location or The Salvation Army
- If a large item is on a Tag, do not feel obligated to purchase the item — any gift will be appreciated
- No candy
If you are an individual, family, or small group, we invite you to “adopt an angel. ” You choose how many angels you would like to “adopt,” and you can even select gender and age. For each angel tag, the spending guideline is approximately $60-$75, which would include at least 1-2 toys/gifts and 1 clothing item. Here is an example of what each child receives during our Christmas assistance program
- 1 larger value toy/gift ($20-$30)
- 2 smaller value toys ($10-$15)
- An outfit or 2 clothing items
- Hat & gloves
If you represent a church group, a business or other large organization, we invite you to host an Angel Tree. This option is ideal for a group that wants to adopt a large number of angels, such as 50-100, as well as groups who are unsure as to how many tags they are able take. The “tree” is simply a suggestion of how to display the angel tags; you can display or distribute angel tags however you choose. The angel tags will include a variety of gender and age groups, from infants up to age 17. Everything else about the program is the same as the “adopt an angel” listed above.
All gifts will be placed in bags marked for specific families. Parents will have an appointment on December 13th or 14th to pick up their toys and clothing for their children (we will include donated wrapping paper as availablity allows).
If you are interested in adopting an angel or hosting an angel tree this year, please print off the document below (Angel Request Form), and return to us via email, fax, or mail. Thank you for caring and participating to make a child’s Christmas joyful.
- To supplement the families’ Christmas gifts and make sure that no child goes without getting a Christmas present
- To recognize and meet the needs of parents in need by providing resources and networking opportunities that will aid them throughout the coming year
WAHU STOCKINGS Our Angels aged 13-17 (who are part of an eligible Angel Tree family with a younger sibling age 12 or under) are adopted through WAHU Stockings, a program that started in 2004 through CBS19/Newsplex.
Watch CBS 19 as we kick off the WAHU Stockings at Hollymead Town Center.
Adopt an Angel
Angel Tree matches donors with children from qualified families who are unable to provide gifts and clothing to their children during the holidays. For many donors, the personal connection to a child in the community has become a special tradition. For participating companies and groups, the sponsorship program is a wonderful opportunity for employees to give back to their community through a fun and heartwarming tradition. The Angel Tree program provides children from families in need with holiday gifts such as bicycles, clothing, special-needs gifts and other wished-for items such as toys. Help us bring the magic of Christmas to children!
History of the Angel Tree:
Along with the familiar Red Kettles (Bell Ringers), the Angel Tree program is one of The Salvation Army’s most familiar Christmas efforts. It was created by The Salvation Army in 1979 by Lt.
Colonels Charles and Shirley White when they worked with a Lynchburg, Virginia shopping mall to provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas time. The program received its name because the Whites identified the wishes of local children by writing their gift needs on Hallmark greeting cards that featured pictures of angels. They placed the cards on a Christmas tree at the mall to allow shoppers to select children to help. Thanks to Lt. Colonels White, who were assigned by The Army to the Lynchburg area at the time, more than 700 children had a brighter Christmas that first year. The Angel Tree program continues to play a vital role in helping The Salvation Army make the holidays merrier for thousands of children in need. Anyone can participate.
How Does the Angel Tree Program Work?
Who am I helping?
Families sign up for Christmas assistance at The Salvation Army. Angels range in age from infants to 12 years old. (Charlottesville remembers the teens aged 13-17 who are part of an Angel family with a younger sibling, thanks to Newsplex’s WAHU Stockings filled with teen-friendly goodies, and every family member of 130 families with children 0-12 thanks to The Madison House).
If a family is qualified, they will be given an appointment time to receive their gifts at a later date, which will be after all gifts are collected.
When and where will the actual Angel Trees be up and located?
*ACAC in Albemarle Square
*The Dairy Market
*Brooks YMCA
*Starbucks
*Hand and Stone
*Walmart in Charlottesville and Ruckersville
*North Fork
How will I know what to buy?
Once you have chosen a location, pull an Angel Tag from that tree and proceed to purchase a gift for your Angel. Each Angel tag has basic information about a child, age gender, clothing size and a wish list whose family sought assistance. Individuals are physically able to take the tag, purchase an item or items for that particular child and return it to that location or to The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army distributes each gift to a family.
Do I need to purchase all of the items on the list?
No.
Your Angel’s wish list is full of items they need and want this holiday season. The items you choose to purchase are at your discretion.
How much should I plan to spend on my Angel?
On average, donors have found that a donation of $50 – $75 in gifts has provided their Angel with many (if not all) of the items on their wish list.
Can I meet the family I am helping?
Unfortunately, no. The families are very grateful for your generosity, but The Salvation Army maintains the confidentiality of all Angel Tree Program recipients.
Do I need to include a receipt with my gifts?
No, however, you may provide a gift receipt.
Where do I deliver the gifts?
Angel Tree Gifts may be delivered to:
The Salvation Army offices: 207 Ridge St, Charlottesville, VA 22902 – by December 10th
Distribution and Pick Up takes place on Saturday, December 18th and Monday, December 20th at Seminole Square – 331 Hillsdale, Charlottesville – the old Party Starts Here location or dropped off at The Salvation Army, 207 Ridge Street, Charlottesville, VA.
All gifts must be unwrapped. All gifts and/or tags must be returned by December 11th.
When will the families receive their gift?
The Angel Tree Warehouse will open to recipients ONLY on December 13th and 14th at 207 Ridge Street. This is when families will pick-up their toys at their assigned appointment times.
WE DON’T DO THIS ALONE! Our Angels aged 13-17 are provided for through WAHU Stockings. Thank you Newsplex, UVa Community Credit Union, Hollymead Town Center
SILVER BELLS We now have THE TUESDAY F.U.N. GROUP (Fellowshippers United Now) Starting at 10:30 am with a program of interest to older adults. The program includes service projects, crafts, educational programs, and special trips. Seniors 55 and over are invited to lunch EVERY Tuesday between Noon and 12:30 pm (no application is required during Christmas sign up days).
Our Families Say Thank You!
How much do you spend on Angel Tree gifts? | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums
TruBlu
DIS Veteran
- #1
I know it is kind of tacky to ask, but I was wondering how much most people spend. I usually try to get the requested item (or a couple of them if it is a toy). Do you think the angel tree gift is the only one they get? We always take more than one name, so I try to keep the gifts at a reasonable price (usually less than $50).
StrollPatrolMom
<font color=blue>I'm happy to amuse myself, carry
- #2
I have two stars.
I plan on about 50 each.
dzneelvr
A Disney Dolly<br><font color=deeppink>Doesn't min
- #3
The amount is usually far less than $50 because DD and I make it a project to search out clearance items. We hit the jackpot at Steve and Barry's last week hoodies for $2.98; hot pink down jacket for $9.99...our "angel" got 5 seperate packages but I bet we spent $30 maybe. That's what's fun!
TruBlu
DIS Veteran
- #4
StrollPatrolMom said:
I have two stars.
I plan on about 50 each.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I was worried that I wasn't giving very good gifts because the ones under the tree had several packages tied together.
TruBlu
DIS Veteran
- #5
dzneelvr said:
The amount is usually far less than $50 because DD and I make it a project to search out clearance items.
We hit the jackpot at Steve and Barry's last week hoodies for $2.98; hot pink down jacket for $9.99...our "angel" got 5 seperate packages but I bet we spent $30 maybe. That's what's fun!
Click to expand...
WOW! I need to shop with you!!!!!
Thats_for_Shore
<font color=darkorchid>Do what you feel like doing
- #6
I think it depends on the situation. For instance, my DS's school has a "giving tree" and I'll contribute, but won't spend much.
Yet, at the church, they have an "Angel Tree" for very poor children. This is more of a desperate type situation. I have spent between $3-400 on one child before.
EthansMom
<font color=red>spare yourself from asking me to d
- #7
DS's grades school sponsors a family (from a nearby shelter) each Christmas. It's usually a mom and two or three children. I usually spend around $30 on one or more items for the family. There are about 75 families with kids attending our school. If the average family at our school contributes as I do (75 x $30), then the family we sponsor is having a pretty good Christmas.
ead79
<font color=#FF0066>Disney Bride!<br><font color=v
- #8
I think that what you're spending sounds perfectly nice. I do think that often the only presents an Angel Tree child receives are the ones that are donated. It's a wonderful charity to help! This year DH and I did the adopt a granny tree at our church instead (you get presents for someone at a nursing home that doesn't have any family).
taterules
Mouseketeer
- #9
At our Angel Tree, they put up a sign starting a couple years ago that you really should get one of each type of clothing item (pants, shirt, etc.
) along with at least 1 toy if it's a child for whoever you select from the tree. I don't know if that's the expectation everywhere, but you could ask the volunteers there when you select off the tree. I don't shoot for any specific dollar amount, as long as I'm getting quality items that meet their needs.
Deb in IA
Knows that KIDS are better
- #10
The Angel Tree tags at our church specifically state "$20 range".
MyManGoofy!
“Don't let people drive you crazy when you know it
- #11
I picked 2 brothers and got them everything on the list - about $65 dollars each.
The majority of the list was made up of clothing.
disneymom3
<font color=green> I think I could adjust!! <br><f
- #12
We jsut started a giving tree at our church. We only have one star per child and some people will buy lots of things and some will buy just one. Our thought was that we wanted people to feel they could give no matter what their budget. Then, we also put a lot of ornaments on there asking for giftcards to Target or Walmart. The other woman and I who put it all together are then going to use some of those gift cards if needed to even out the gifts within families.
For instance, if one child in a family gets several gifts, but the little brother only gets an outfit, we will take a gift card or two and fill in with a few other things. It was made clear to people donating giftcards that some would be given directly to families and some will be used to meet unmet needs that were listed for the kids.
Beth76
DIS Veteran
- #13
I got 3 tags from ours. One was for cleaning supplies and I probably spent about $30. One was for a girls robe and I found a very cute, very soft one for $16.
One was for a boys coat and I found a Nautica coat at Marshall's for $24. It said it was "irregular condition" and I asked the sales ladies what that meant and they said it could be anything from crooked stitching to the wrong color. I felt a little guilty buying "irregular" but I checked it out thoroughly and didn't see anything wrong with it. Even the sales lady looked it over. It was truly one of the nicer coats they had.
goofy's friends
<font color=limegreen>**POOF**<br><font color=purp
- #14
I try to stay around $50 for one tag.
We usually get 3--one for each of my kids to buy for. We then shop at walmart or somewhere similar to make the $$ go farther. They generally get nice presents for that money--clothes and toys. If they ask for a bike or something else real expensive like electronics, I don't do that.
mickeyfan2
DIS Veteran
- #15
Deb in IA said:
The Angel Tree tags at our church specifically state "$20 range".
Click to expand.
..
The local Salvation Army is thinking of doing this. I pointed out that one person could buy a single gift for $20 paying full price while another can be a great shopper and get many gifts for $20 by using coupons and clearance and only spend $20 and get $50+ in full price merchandise. I told them there are too many restrictions being put on the giver and it takes away from the season.
puffkin
DVC Owner- SSR & AKV
- #16
If I do a Salvation Army/Angel Tree gift I usually try to buy an outfit and a toy item.
Usually spend about $30-$35.
Someone at my office is involved with an organization that does something similar. However, they interviewed the parents for what the children wanted/needed. Each child had several tags that were very specific. That way each child will have several gifts under the tree and the descriptions aren't as vague. I picked a girl whose said Jeans as well as another girls who said Barbie/Bratz dolls and accessories.
My godmother is a secretary at a law firm. All the partners donate money towards the Angel Tree and they get about 50 tags a year. Then all the secretaries go out and shop for the kids. She said it usually breaks down to about $40 a kid.
The 10 worst gifts we are afraid to find under the tree
Readers told us about the things they are going to give to loved ones this year, and about what gifts they dream of receiving themselves.
Maria Dolgopolova
was horrified by gifts
Author profile
They also shared their memories of the worst surprises they received in their lives.
We have collected them in one collection, which can still save you from losing face on New Year's Eve.
Participate in the voting for the worst gifts - express your support for the heroes who were traumatized by them. And tell us in the comments about what you experienced.
Tenth place
Cheap cosmetics from the mass marketMaria Chernova
collected a personal top of the worst gifts
Who is especially offended: to any person who cares about what he washes and smears
Every year they give me and my mother shower gel and hand cream from the mass market . And I don't use them. I prefer good soap and body milk. There are some cheap figurines too. This is for me the top gifts that do not please.
Ninth place
The book you didn't ask forEva Yan
dreamed of an illustrated encyclopedia
Who is especially offended: a person who loves books
It’s sad when you ask for something specific, but give something close, but not that.
Once I asked my husband for a book - a richly illustrated encyclopedia "Reader's Digest" on world history, large format, good glossy paper. He gave me a textbook for universities, a brick without a single picture, volume 1.
Eighth place
Vitamins you don't believe inDaniel Shevel
eats a balanced diet
Particularly offended: supporter of evidence-based medicine
The feasibility of enriching the diet of a healthy person with them is not confirmed by research. At the same time, the harm from the excessive use of certain vitamins is quite well proven.
Seventh place
Bad handmade thingsIrina Dobryn
could not contain her disappointment
Who is especially offended: an experienced handmade lover
Once my male colleagues gave me a very original gift. With delight and with the words “Ira, you love handmade”, they handed over a 10 × 15 photo frame: velvet inside, and a modest single flower embroidered with beads on the velvet.
I tried not to show that I was disappointed, but it didn't work.
Sixth place
HornsMaria Cheprasova
doubted
Who is especially offended: your boyfriend or girlfriend
Once a guy gave me a roe deer horn. I don't even know if it was a hint...
Fifth place
Expensive tracksuitLisa Nastatuha
burst into tears in front of guests
Who is especially offended: a person who does not like sports
I hated sports, all my life I sat at home in a dress and read. And so my parents gave me a sports suit - the most expensive one. I burst into tears at the guests. My parents were furious that I did not appreciate their gifts, dad went to the garage to chop the suit with an ax. Moral: you should not give something with the aim of correcting a person, corrective work - after the holidays.
Fourth place
Donated itemsAnastasia Ivanova
dreams of Olivier and a herring under a fur coat
Who is especially offended: close people, from whom it is physically impossible to hide anything
The only and invariable gift that I received every New Year in my childhood was from my mother hygienic lipstick "Little Fairy".
Then for some time she gave just money, and now she is retired and gives boxes of chocolates and stupid New Year's souvenirs that were given to her. And I dream of real thick-knit woolen socks, which for some reason you can’t find in stores, about the New Year’s atmosphere, decorations, garlands, a Christmas tree and a festive table with Russian olives, herring under a fur coat and aspic fish.
Third place
A chic culinary encyclopediaYaroslav Akimov
was offended by the gift
Who is especially offended: the person who regularly fed you
I met a girl almost 15 years ago. Once she came to visit me in my city for a few days - and this was the only experience of our life together. I didn't take a vacation, I continued to work. She spent the day walking, visiting friends. In the evening I would come home from work, cook, then she would come back and we would have dinner together. And for my birthday, she gave me a chic culinary encyclopedia with the words: "You don't cook very well.
" The book itself is good, but taking into account all the prelude, I just went nuts. I don't even know how she cooks!
Second place
scary questOlga Egorova
hates horror films
Who is especially offended: to a close person who thought you knew him well
The worst gift for me was from my husband — a terrible quest. I hate horror movies and stuff like that. As a result, we went on a quest, my girlfriend and I immediately dropped out of the participants, because we ourselves wanted it, and my husband and a friend did not go through it to the end.
The worst thing about the gift was that a husband is a person who should know this about you. And it’s more offensive not even because of the money spent, but because of the inattention of a loved one. After that, there were two more gifts, but the dumb quest overshadowed all the good impressions from them.
First place
When they ask what to give, and in the end they give nothingAnastasia Ivanova
loves surprises
Who is especially offended: anyone who has feelings
The guy wanted to give me a piece of jewelry.
I immediately told him that I don’t like buying gifts for myself and I want it to be a surprise. I trusted his taste, and it was important for me not that I would receive some thing at his expense, but that the decoration was from him, that he himself chose and that the gift meant something. But no, he arranged for me to show him what I want. I found a bracelet for 18 thousand, and he said that it was too expensive and that he estimated me at 10-12 thousand. In the end, he didn't give anything. It would be better if I bought something cheap, but myself, so that I don't know how much it costs.
Experts: The tradition of giving gifts goes back centuries
But the tradition of giving gifts goes back centuries, to the times when the first shamans, totems, rituals, talismans appeared. It was the talismans that were the first gifts. In Russia, paganism was replaced by Christianity under Prince Vladimir. And until that moment, all forests and rivers were inhabited by goblin and mermaids, brownies lived in houses.
And people tried to establish good relations with the spirits of the house and nature in order to protect themselves from troubles and attract good luck. Then there were things that we give today as souvenirs.
With the spread of Christianity in Europe and Russia came the tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas. It symbolizes the offering of gifts to the little Jesus by the magi, the wise men who came to bow to the born king of the Jews. According to Eastern custom, it is impossible to come to the king empty-handed, so they brought gifts with them: incense, myrrh, gold.
Where did the tradition of putting presents under the Christmas tree come from? The evergreen tree has long been a symbol of life in the midst of winter. The ancient Romans used to decorate their homes with branches to celebrate the New Year. The inhabitants of Northern Europe cut evergreen trees in winter and placed them in pots at home. It took a long time for the Christmas tree to become associated with gifts.
Like trees, the exchange of gifts was originally a Roman custom associated with the winter solstice, which was celebrated as a holiday. Gifts were often given anonymously. The Danes had a custom to wrap gifts in many layers of packaging, each of which was written with a different name. And to whom the gift was actually intended, it turned out only when all the wrappers were removed. The first to associate gifts with the Christmas tree were the English Queen Victoria and her husband Albert. In 1841 they set up a beautifully decorated Christmas tree for their children. From that moment on, the custom appeared to hang gifts right on the Christmas tree. By the way, the star that decorates the top of the Christmas tree is the Symbol of the Bethlehem star that lit up over the birthplace of Jesus.
In the West, it is customary to put up a Christmas tree on December 1st and immediately put gifts under it. And neither adults nor children can open them before Christmas. For children, there are special boxes with sweets, each candy corresponds to the date of the calendar.
Children eat one a day so they can see Christmas coming.
In Iceland, children start exhibiting a red boot intended for gifts as early as the thirteenth of December. The thing is that the mission of Santa Claus in Iceland is carried out by thirteen Christmas creatures - Joulasveinnov from the genus of trolls. They appear at night, in turn, starting from the thirteenth of December, in order to have time to gather everyone for the holiday. Each of them brings gifts with them, but the biggest present comes around Christmas.
In tsarist Russia there was a special tradition of Christmas gifts - crowned persons often returned gifts to their subjects, leaving only the gift that they liked, paying a solid price for it. Also, the king could present a gift several times more expensive than the one he received from a subject.
It is known that the last Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, being in exile with her daughters, already on the last Christmas in their lives, made gifts to everyone she could, even her servants.
Alexandra Fedorovna and the princesses knitted, made ribbons, bookmarks for books just to bring a little joy to the holy day of Christmas.
In noble families, Christmas gifts were handed out in the morning, after the whole family returned from church. Children received sweets, gingerbread houses, beautiful toys or angel figurines as a gift. The spouses were presented, as today, outfits, furs and jewelry. It was very popular to make handmade gifts. Such crafts, as a rule, were given to friends. It was not customary to give expensive things to non-relatives.
Russian merchants had a tradition of giving money at Christmas. At the same time, the relatives did not spare a hundred-ruble bill, but the servants could be content with a ten-ruble, or even a ruble bill.
Religious canons do not impose any special restrictions and regulations on Christmas gifts to relatives and friends. It is believed that gifts must necessarily carry something warm, personal, sincere. They should never be formal.
