https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 06:08:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas/page/2#post-2661598 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:30:25 +0000 PawPrints 2661598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not independently, but we do through both our employers. This year so far I bought a remote controlled helicopter for a little boy via the local YMCA through my employer's Adopt A Family. DH's office usually does Angel Tree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas/page/2#post-2661478 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:00:29 +0000 ShootingStar 2661478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have now adopted so many kids this year. DH has the softest heart ever. They had tags you could take at daycare and there were tons left on Friday, and the day to bring stuff in was today. If they don't get taken the teachers try to pitch in to buy the kids stuff. So we grabbed some Friday, and then he felt bad when there was more left this morning so I grabbed two more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas/page/2#post-2661414 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 10:29:12 +0000 psw27 2661414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I adopted a child through a local mom's group. They focus on helping families transition from homelessness to homes/apartments. I was planning to choose an adult but ended up getting sucked in by a little boy about the same age as DS who liked similar toys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas/page/2#post-2661368 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:10:20 +0000 bushelandapeck 2661368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose a cradles to crayons clothing one this year and spent about $150-175 for clothes and a winter coat. We also picked two children in the community through my sons preschool to buy specific gifts for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas/page/2#post-2661362 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:04:22 +0000 Mrs D 2661362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do through a few different venues.</p> <p>This year our daycare is adopting a local family who is a "friend of a friend" in the community - which I like.</p> <p>Since I have been an adult I have been looking for an organization that does something similar to what my church did growing up. You adopted a family for the whole season - you gifted them Thanksgiving Dinner, Warm Weather Clothes, Household Needs, Christmas Dinner/Food and Christmas gifts.</p> <p>I love the idea of donating toys, but the thought of a child not having a "nice" meal on Christmas guts me as much as not having toys - maybe more. Plus - it focused on the parents too which I think is important.</p> <p>I always was sad when I would get the adopt a family list and it had young children asking for things like pots and pans. I was always so sad that the parents had to choose listing their childrens wants OR their household needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas/page/2#post-2661351 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:39:20 +0000 mediagirl 2661351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't this year but I want to next year. Our church has St Nicolas come and collect the presents on the second weekend in Advent. It's a great program for children to be involved in so once things calm down, we will. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661350 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:37:45 +0000 looch 2661350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: That's a great idea, to get a sticker pack or book to go with it. SInce they didn't ask for a specific gift card, that does present challenges. I like your idea for an experience gift card, I'd also balance that with one to a place like Walmart or Target. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661346 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:25:21 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2661346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: No just gift cards in general. I think we are just going to do experience gift cards. Ice Cream Store, Chick Fil A, the fun station that type of thing. Maybe try to get a sticker pack or something to go with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661343 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:10:05 +0000 looch 2661343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I would just go with it and do what they asked. Is it for a specific store? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661340 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:01:07 +0000 erinbaderin 2661340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Could you talk to the school and ask if you can either get a different card or just choose an actual present instead of the card? We got the wish list for a child but the organization also said that if we wanted to get something different from what was requested that would be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661337 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 07:55:46 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2661337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: Yea, I'm just such a skeptic because we had a family member who would sign up for stuff like this and then sell the gift cards or not use it on stuff for the kids. In general I'm not a big fan of gift cards as gifts in general too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661329 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 07:35:28 +0000 periwinklebee 2661329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was a kid there was always several places that had angel trees where you could help a specific child who had requested a specific gift. I've never seen that where I live now, but the Marine Corps does a toys for tots drive at my office, where you donate toys - but not specific ones for specific kids. We also raise money to send to very dear friends who use it to sponsor Christmas for several schools of poor children where they live, which is one of the poorest parts of the Western Hemisphere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661325 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 07:24:18 +0000 looch 2661325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have in the past (via my employer) but haven't in recent years. This year, though, my son and I will pick a tag from a giving wreath at his school and we will donate that way. It's potentially helping a child that is in his school, I feel strongly about helping those in need around us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661270 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:19:20 +0000 HawaiianGirl 2661270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually pick one or two from the Angel Tree at our church. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661268 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:10:43 +0000 HappyBaker 2661268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: We see this a lot with our toy drive even for 2 and 3 year olds and it's because its their parents that are filling it out for them, so maybe they just didn't ask her what she wanted? It stinks because now you have no idea what she actually would like! A gift card to an experience place sounds like a good compromise, and then maybe throw in like a sticker book or activity book? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661263 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:06:50 +0000 LemonJack 2661263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: That does seem a little odd for the age. I've seen that a lot with teenagers, which makes sense, but not very often with little kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661262 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:05:13 +0000 LemonJack 2661262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We sponsor a local child. The organization we go through asks that you don't spend more than $40. We've been doing this a few years, and before that we sponsored students at my sister's school each year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661247 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 19:36:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2661247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a note home from school that the students could pick a tag off the angel tree at school with parents permission. Of course I said yes thinking it would be a great lesson for DD who is 5. </p> <p>We got the tag and it says gift cards for a 6 year old. Is this odd to anyone? My daughter won't have any concept of buying and wrapping a gift card. I don't know if the other little girl would even know about gift cards either and it's not that exciting to open. </p> <p>Is this odd to anyone? I'm thinking maybe gift card to some experience places like the ice cream shop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661234 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 18:49:08 +0000 twodoghouse 2661234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose two children from the Angel Tree from the Salvation Army this year. We are really working hard on getting our kids to understand that there are more important things than receiving alllll the presents (which they are suddenly really into), and that it feels so nice to give presents to other people, but it's a work in progress. 😳 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661232 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 18:44:30 +0000 hellobeeboston 2661232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am through my office! It's my first time and I'm excited! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2661230 Sun, 04 Dec 2016 18:34:12 +0000 lawbee11 2661230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: We must go through the same organization :happy: </p> <p>I spent around $175 (they suggest $150-200) but this includes needs as well as wants (I got ours sweaters, dresses, and shoes as well as toys). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660452 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 23:11:34 +0000 LilSprinkles 2660452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't sponsor a child, but we do go to Toys R Us and get a shopping cart full of toys and books and donate it all to Operation Homefront. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660447 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 23:00:11 +0000 mrsbookworm 2660447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We sponsor a local family. There are some suggestions for the children and then the organization asks you to donate a gift card so the parent can go shopping for the child as well. After all, that's half the fun🙂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660445 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:53:40 +0000 catomd00 2660445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: thank you! I'm going to look into it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660442 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:35:00 +0000 808love 2660442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: Compassion International. It is $38 a month. You can write letters, send small stuff or write email. You can pick location, age, and/or by picture. You get a letter as often as you write, depending on place. I have been doing this with several kids for about 10 years and if the kids move away or age out, they contact you to choose another if you want. You can even arrange a tour of the country that includes a visit with child but I think it is pricy. Still, it is a solid organization.</p> <p><a href="http://www.compassion.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.compassion.com</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660441 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:34:19 +0000 Pancakes 2660441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. Last year our street adopted a family and we bought gifts for the whole family and a Christmas dinner/grocery gift cards. This year we bought for 2 girls close to DDs' ages who are in families at DD1's school. I asked about a recommended amount to spend, and was told that we should just to do whatever we can. Right now I think we're doing around $100 per child, it may end up being a little more. I got some great deals on clothes on Black Friday. I feel nervous because I assume these children have siblings that other people are shopping for and I have no idea how "equal" it will be. I wish I had been able to get siblings! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660431 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:21:22 +0000 catomd00 2660431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, we do one for each of our kids and try to get one close in age. DD1 and I already have a special shopping date planned to do it and she is so excited. </p> <p>@808love: what organization is this through? What do you give on a monthly basis? Would love to do something like this... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660429 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:17:24 +0000 Finfan 2660429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My work adopts a few families. This year one of them was a single dad and his don. They had requested a toaster oven so I got them one for around $40. I knew my other co-workers would get the toys and clothes requested so I felt good about something more practical for their family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660415 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:04:30 +0000 Corduroy 2660415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do a couple giving tree gifts each year at work. This year I did about $25 per kid. One asked for a 2T fleece jacket so I did a jacket, hat, and warm shirt. The other tag asked for size 12 boots. DD helped me pick them out and then I added in some cute boot socks.<br /> I saw there were a few left on the tree and was going to grab so more but the next time I walked by the tree was fully restocked with tags and I felt overwhelmed. I'm prioritizing a donation to the local food bank and trying not to feel bad about the extra tags. But I do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-sponsor-a-child-for-christmas#post-2660385 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 21:00:23 +0000 808love 2660385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We sponsor a child monthly. She is the same age as LO with a birthday within days of LO. </p>