Toys for Tots...what should I buy?

[dmw16]

My office is doing a Toys for Tots drive this holiday season. However, there is a little twist. There is an xmas tree with little angel cut-outs and you take one down and on the back there is a child's age, pant size, shirt size, and shoe size.

Normally, I'd just go out and buy a toy, but knowing this other information I could certainly buy clothing. I don't know the exact situation of the person I'm buying for and I'm wondering if I should get someone more practical, like a warm coat, new shoes, etc?

What do you think and why?

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd go with the toy, because its Xmas and because clothes are easier for them to find cheap on their own.

You could donate some cash to a food bank to take care of a few meals as well. Here in Washington there are 2 statewide organizations that supply all of the local food banks, perhaps there's something similar there.

 

[skrilla]

I have no clue man but it is a good question.

I would go to toysfortots.org and find your local toysfortots site and contact them.

Mine is at http://www.toysfortotstwincities.org/ - there is a FAQ "Can I donate anything else besides toys" and it says to contact them.
If you can't get in contact and want to go that route I would find out what is popular for their age and get something like a Sponge Bob sweater or boots, for example.

 

[Andyb23]

I wouldn't send anything.

I'm a college student I send $20 to Mercy Corps which helps people around the world.

http://www.mercycorps.org/

 

[Ausm]

Gun




Ausm

 

[Leros]

Jesus dolls for sure.

 

[preslove]

I'd absolutely go with a toy if they're >8. Unless it's totally changed in the 17 years since I was that age, toys are way more important to a >8 kid than clothing. After that age shoes became much more important. I'd contact them if you're that concerned.

WHATEVER you do, though, don't get them a jesus action figure!

 

[blazerazor]

Last year I gave a matching outfit with a toy. Its not too much to spend.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: dmw16
My office is doing a Toys for Tots drive this holiday season. However, there is a little twist. There is an xmas tree with little angel cut-outs and you take one down and on the back there is a child's age, pant size, shirt size, and shoe size.

Normally, I'd just go out and buy a toy, but knowing this other information I could certainly buy clothing. I don't know the exact situation of the person I'm buying for and I'm wondering if I should get someone more practical, like a warm coat, new shoes, etc?

What do you think and why?

If you have that information, i would get clothes then.
Find some cool (inexpensive) shoes/boots or a shirt and pants.
As much as kids DON"T like clothes as gifts, it kills me to see them with ratty, torn, worn pants and sweaters.

 

[Andyb23]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: dmw16
My office is doing a Toys for Tots drive this holiday season. However, there is a little twist. There is an xmas tree with little angel cut-outs and you take one down and on the back there is a child's age, pant size, shirt size, and shoe size.

Normally, I'd just go out and buy a toy, but knowing this other information I could certainly buy clothing. I don't know the exact situation of the person I'm buying for and I'm wondering if I should get someone more practical, like a warm coat, new shoes, etc?

What do you think and why?

If you have that information, i would get clothes then.
Find some cool (inexpensive) shoes/boots or a shirt and pants.
As much as kids DON"T like clothes as gifts, it kills me to see them with ratty, torn, worn pants and sweaters.

Its hard to believe that there are a lot of kids in America with ratty torn pants.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Andyb23

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: dmw16
My office is doing a Toys for Tots drive this holiday season. However, there is a little twist. There is an xmas tree with little angel cut-outs and you take one down and on the back there is a child's age, pant size, shirt size, and shoe size.

Normally, I'd just go out and buy a toy, but knowing this other information I could certainly buy clothing. I don't know the exact situation of the person I'm buying for and I'm wondering if I should get someone more practical, like a warm coat, new shoes, etc?

What do you think and why?

If you have that information, i would get clothes then.
Find some cool (inexpensive) shoes/boots or a shirt and pants.
As much as kids DON"T like clothes as gifts, it kills me to see them with ratty, torn, worn pants and sweaters.

Its hard to believe that there are a lot of kids in America with ratty torn pants.

There are. I see it all the time. Whether or not it is because the parents really cannot afford clothes, or they are spending that money somewhere else is unknown, but i see it all too often.

That, or the exact opposite end of the spectrum: kids parents buy them the designer brands and cannot put dinner on the table.

 

[dmw16]

The child is 12. I dont know a name or any other details (although I assume that there is a spreadsheet somewhere kept by the HR department to match the child to the gift since they has us to include the tag).

I liked toys at 12, but it started to be things like gameboys and all that stuff, and I dont want to buy them something that just means spending more money (game, accessories, etc).

I am not sure why one person said to give nothing - I assume they were kidding. I know I am not as charitable as I could be year round, but during the holidays seeing drives like this makes me stop and realize how fortunate I am. I know i get stressed about money, but i realize when i donate something like this that being pissed about not being able to put more into my 401K or not being able to save for a house as fast as I'd like is a little silly.

Anyway, that's enough from the soap box.

Thanks for the input everyone. Keep it coming.

 

[DnetMHZ]

Tater Tots for tots?

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: dmw16
The child is 12. I dont know a name or any other details (although I assume that there is a spreadsheet somewhere kept by the HR department to match the child to the gift since they has us to include the tag).

I liked toys at 12, but it started to be things like gameboys and all that stuff, and I dont want to buy them something that just means spending more money (game, accessories, etc).

I am not sure why one person said to give nothing - I assume they were kidding. I know I am not as charitable as I could be year round, but during the holidays seeing drives like this makes me stop and realize how fortunate I am. I know i get stressed about money, but i realize when i donate something like this that being pissed about not being able to put more into my 401K or not being able to save for a house as fast as I'd like is a little silly.

Anyway, that's enough from the soap box.

Thanks for the input everyone. Keep it coming.

12? Clothes are definately a major component in peer status and self esteem by that age, so I don't think a kid will be that disappointed if they are cool. I would contact HR for more info on the kid. How much are you going to spend?

 

[dmw16]

They wont give out personal info - I already asked. I dont wanna get something uncool, but I think I have a pretty good idea what kids like. My brother is 16 and I am 23 and dress (Im told) fashionably (<- word?)

I dont know what I was going to spend....$20-$30?

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: dmw16
They wont give out personal info - I already asked. I dont wanna get something uncool, but I think I have a pretty good idea what kids like. My brother is 16 and I am 23 and dress (Im told) fashionably (<- word?)

I dont know what I was going to spend....$20-$30?

If you don't know anything about the kid, though, you could misfire on the fashion. I think a toy would be a safer bet.

Howabout this? I'd also include small packs/bottles of baking powder and vineger.

 

[dmw16]

That is a cool toy, but I would hazard a guess, since my company is located on the outskirts of baltimore, that the kid may not have access to a lot of open space (guess he lives in the city).

 

[BKLounger]

usually for toys for tots i will go to costco or toys r us and pick up huge gift sets for cheap money. Last year i was able to get big sets of toy cars, generic gi joes and barbie type dolls for only 9.99 each i must have picked up like 4 or 5 of those and a couple of things i found like big stuffed animals too. I just look for really big items with lots of things in it for cheap money. Kids seem to really like them. They just see the size and amount.