Giftmas greed and consumerism "Angel Tree" - a rant

[sbj405]

After my work out today, I stopped at the "Angel Tree" in the Y lobby. Fairly popular concept, needy kids write down a gift that they would like. Well, I have to say that I was completely and utterly stunned. Every gift listed was an extremely expensive, very particular brand name item. Xboxes, Playstations, Playstation games, televisions, bikes, etc. I am even more shocked that whoever helped the kids with the list or their parents, didn't suggest they might scale down what they request. I'm not against getting something nice for them, but some of these items exceed what I would buy anyone. I remember doing this when I was a kid and the kids would ask for a doll or a game. What's happened? Or am I being a bah humbug bitch?

[tjdee]

1. Thank the television. "Richer" kids want that stuff, why wouldn't needy ki

ds?

I don't know that needy kids should be told to ask for sensible toys like one barbie (if she's not too big) or a remote controlled car (if that's too expensive, maybe a nice matchbox car). "Regular" kids ask for stuff like that too.

Also, I bet kids don't know how much that stuff is. Their parents, not rich, are not likely to say "gee, I know you really want that thing, but we're so poor....maybe you'd like a nice book (but only if it's paperback)?"

I do think that television has convinced kids that "everyone" has that stuff, and that it's not a big deal. I think it's more an "all kids" deal than needy kids trying to take advantage of the Angel Tree. (That's how your post struck me originally, but as I've been writing this ridiculously long post I don't think you meant that.)

[sbj405]

5. Well I think it's ridiculous for any 12 y/o to be asking for those things

The sad thing is that at the end of last year, the ornaments left hanging were the ones with those types of gifts. I guess that means that the kids didn't get anything. I bet if they knew that they might have scaled back.

I guess my post is more about the complete consumerism of Christmas, not specifically the needy kids. I understand that they are just trying to keep pace with what their peers are getting (or think they're getting).

[leftstreet]

6. Agree. Kids want what they see on the teevee.

They assume all kids get the same things.

[Splatter Phoenix]

2. Sickening.

Really fucking sickening. Greedy little fuckers.

I'm not the kind of person who'd dump shit at someone's feet and tell them to like it, but there's definitely a ceiling to generosity, and these kids are way on top of the roof.

[grasswire]

3. there's a giving tree at my local supermarket...

...that has needs of developmentally disabled adults written on the tags. Oh lordy, it really got to me. A fifty year old woman wanting something with Mickey Mouse on it; a thirty something man wanting something having to do with cowboys. Christmas wishes -- timeless.

[Texasgal]

4. I honestly don't think that

Kids have a clue today...our world is so stocked full of wasteful, consumer driven products.. this really dosen't shock me. :shrug:

[sbj405]

7. The other most common item was gift card

which is essentially a synonym for cash.

[XemaSab]

10. Get a gift card for a bookstore

20 bucks can provide HOURS of fun.

[MountainLaurel]

18. Perhaps the gift card

Was so that they could buy items for a family member: When I was volunteering at a family shelter, often the children would want to get something for their parent or guardian.

[lovelaureng]

8. Unfortunately,

this is another one of the many signs of our times.

[trof]

9. Similar experience at Wal-Mart a few years ago.

We shop there only for things we can't get anywhere else.
There aren't many.

They have an Angel Tree.
Miz t. and I decided that:
1. At this stage in life, we already pretty much have everything we want or need.
2. Let's take the "easy" way out. Instead of buying crap for each other that we don't need (or want), do something for a kid really in need.

I picked an envelope from the tree. "Male, age 10: I want a Gameboy, a 3-speed bike, a DVD player. and some movies."

I put the envelope back on the tree.
We went through a couple more, with the same kinds of requests.

Then we found: "Female, age 12: I need school clothes, size xx. I'd like a box of candy for my mom."
(They wear "uniforms" in public schools here. Basically khaki pants/shorts/skirts, white or navy tops.)

I just lost it. So did Miz t.
That was OUR girl for Christmas 2001.
We sure as hell didn't stop with uniforms.
I highly recommend this.

[RevCheesehead]

15. That's inspiring.

I'm glad you kept looking. There are a lot of really great kids out there (as you discovered).

What a nice gift you gave to each other!

[trof]

11. You are not a bah-humbug bitch.

Your comments, and the memories they invoked, brought tears streaming again. I am SUCH a damn sentimental softie.

My daughter called the other day.
"I need to know what you'd like for Christmas. I just don't have a clue."
"Neither do I , Shug. I just can't think of anything. I'll work on it."

Now I know.
Find somebody really deserving on an Angel Tree, or anywhere you know about people in need. Help them out.
That's what I want.

It's hell to be a liberal.
;-)

[miss_american_pie]

12. How would one suggest that though?

I don't disagree that kids ask for very expensive gifts, and lessons in gratitude are always good, but how would you explain that to a kid?

I can see how a parent may be able to get the point across, but how would a charity volunteer say to a needy kid that he is asking for too much without it sounding like charity kids don't deserve expensive stuff?

:shrug:

[WindRavenX]

13. why is it greed?

When I was younger, I wanted a SNES (for those of you who aren't video game savy, that's just another video game system). If it's all they want, I don't see a problem with it. The problem is when they want more, more, more-- this doesn't have a price tag on it, just the sheer amount of *want* is the concern.

FWIW, my SO wants an XBox 360-- neither of us can afford it, obviousy,but it's something he wants.

I don't particularly see the problem here. It's one thing if someone cannot be happy without expensive things, but for these kids...a lot of the times it IS their "wish" to have something like an Xbox or Playstation because that's what their peers have.

[Lars39]

14. It's setting the kids up for failure &/or disappointment.

Whoever conducted the interviewing either just wasn't thinking or honestly thinks that some rich person is going to have a reformed Scrooge moment. It's really doing the kids a huge disservice. :(

[RevCheesehead]

16. On the other hand, some people want to be generous at Christmas.

Maybe they don't donate to charities during the year. Or they want to give something extra-special to someone in need.

But you're right. Expectations are higher. Unfortunately, they will also probably learn the lesson of disappointment.

[johnnie]

17. Kids have no idea about money

Even the children I know that come from homes that can afford a few good things are asking for the same things and also items such as laptops and Ipods. My sister (single mother) asked me to help her find a laptop for my niece. :eyes: That's typical though. I asked for a bass guitar, a trumpet and s banana seat bike when I was a little kid in one letter to Santa (My parents still have the letter). I couldn't even ride a two wheeler at that age..lol. Hell, I couldn't play guitar either but I knew that Peter Tork played bass.

Both rich and poor kids have no idea. I agree though that if parents helped them fill those out then that's a bit much.

[BuelahWitch]

19. My mom and I used to do Angel Tree before she got sick

Of course, this was about 10 years ago and there weren't any such things as XBoxes then. She and I had alot of fun getting stuff for some little kid we'd never meet.

Every year, my old workplace would get an "angel" that wanted something big like a bike and we'd all pitch in and buy one for him or her (plus some clothes too). That might be an idea...:shrug: