It's that Angel Tree time of year again.
We went to the 2nd floor of the Pearlridge Mall and chose a boy and girl to buy gifts for.
We have learned to choose children who ask for something general such as a doll, educational toys, musical instrument, fire trucks, etc.
There was one year that we went to every store we could think of to find a particular toy and finally had to go back and select another child.
The parking this year was so terrible that we ended up walking from the mall to Toys R Us rather than giving up our parking space because we'd have to return to turn in our gifts. Needless to say, I got my exercise!
This year my 6 year old girl asked for Little People or Rainbow Bright. We discovered that Toys R Us doesn't even carry Rainbow Bright toys. Luckily they did have Fisher Price Little People.
Art's 3 year old boy wanted a fire truck or race cars. That was so easy, we were able to get everything he asked for.
We bumped into our friends, Rodney and Carol at Toys R Us who were doing the same thing as us. It was fun comparing what we had found. It was great to see so many people participating in the sharing of holiday joy.
We walked back to the mall and turned in our toys. On the way out of the mall we passed by a smoothie store called Robeks. We'd never been there before so we decided to treat ourselves to a small dish of acai sherbet and granola.
It was delicious and a lovely way to end our day.
We have learned to choose children who ask for something general such as a doll, educational toys, musical instrument, fire trucks, etc.
There was one year that we went to every store we could think of to find a particular toy and finally had to go back and select another child.
The parking this year was so terrible that we ended up walking from the mall to Toys R Us rather than giving up our parking space because we'd have to return to turn in our gifts. Needless to say, I got my exercise!
This year my 6 year old girl asked for Little People or Rainbow Bright. We discovered that Toys R Us doesn't even carry Rainbow Bright toys. Luckily they did have Fisher Price Little People.
Art's 3 year old boy wanted a fire truck or race cars. That was so easy, we were able to get everything he asked for.
We bumped into our friends, Rodney and Carol at Toys R Us who were doing the same thing as us. It was fun comparing what we had found. It was great to see so many people participating in the sharing of holiday joy.
We walked back to the mall and turned in our toys. On the way out of the mall we passed by a smoothie store called Robeks. We'd never been there before so we decided to treat ourselves to a small dish of acai sherbet and granola.
It was delicious and a lovely way to end our day.
I have not picked a name from the Angel tree this year. Thank you for reminding me. Ron and I did this every year and I can't believe I forgot. It is difficult to believe Toys R Us doesn't have Rainbow Bright and makes me wonder if they stopped carrying them when the rumors started that they were "of the devil" several years ago. Stupid rumors damage so many products.
ReplyDeleteSeriously??? I hadn't heard that one, but Toys R Us just didn't have it.
DeleteA lovely Holiday tradition. Dianne
ReplyDeleteWe are doing an Angel tree here at the school I work at as well. I always love doing it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you for doing such mitsvahs.
ReplyDelete(And you both look so cute :) )
We have something similar at the Y, and I'm going to do it now that you have pointed the way! You're a good role model, Kay. :-)
ReplyDeleteChristmas, and there you are in a fuscia shell. You are keeping our hopes up for spring. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWe have something similar at our church, but the tree contains adults as well as children. This year I chose one name, and Hubby chose another. They both turned out to be men who wanted shirts and socks. Easy to buy for! I lso bought some personal care items. Now I just need to get everything wrapped and delivered next weekend.
ReplyDeleteThey're supposed to have some adult ones too, but we couldn't find them. I did look because I wanted to do something for a senior too. Perhaps they were placed in other locations.
DeleteSome of my grandchildren are doing a similar thing at their school and it is fun to help them and see how excited they are about it.
ReplyDeleteI like that tradition. I like that there is a specific person attached and that the kids you picked will have something they are sure to treasure. You guys look great...not very Santa-like, but great.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy to help some children have a nice Christmas. You two look like kids in a candy store.
ReplyDeleteDrumMajor
We did a similar thing in school one year. My Unitarian Universalist church is doing a different program (though it runs all year) for the holidays called Backpack Buddies. Basically people buy food and then our church (along with 2 others) prepares bags by meal and then try to feed as many children as possible.
ReplyDeleteWith the holiday break kids will be out of school longer (meaning they can't rely on school lunch program) so they're making a mission to make sure every child has something to eat on Christmas day.
and there you are in short sleeves Christmas shopping-it was zero degrees F here yesterday and icy!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I was drippy with sweat yesterday at our outdoor zumba? It's true. Still, there is such beauty in winter too. Then again my daughter did say it was 17 degrees yesterday. Yikes!
Deletewhat a nice thing to do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. We are doing general charity gifts this year, food for a local food bank - sad to think that there are so many people in need of this - and toiletries for a women's refuge.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to enjoy and to celebrate Christmas and share the beauty and the love! You and Art are the best!! I always love the pics of the two of you and your wonderful smiles!! Thank you for sharing!! Have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteMiserable snow here and wet and cold and I am jealous of how you can dress when you go shopping!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for doing that. We haven't found an angel tree here yet, but we will. I agree with you that it's a lovely thing to do for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see other places have angel trees. For years we did this, however, the gifts had to be returned wrapped. I always bought things at a local department store who also wrapped, free of charge. That store is long gone. Our Toys for Tots program, run by the United Way and Marine Corps asks for new, unwrapped gifts. They usually have trouble getting enough toys for older children. This year they asked for board games which seemed like a nice idea so that families could be involved with the playing. So much going on at this time of the year, so many requests. Wish we could do it all.
ReplyDeleteIt looks "funny" to see someone in a sleeveless top Christmas shopping! We've had such a cold December with some days that didn't even make it up to 0 degrees F already.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy doing the Shoebox project for Operation Christmas Child. Also, every January I buy a child's winter coat on sale, knit a hat and mittens to match, plus several more hats and mittens for other children, and donate them to local toy box/ Coats for Kids drives.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly deserved a treat after your wonderful shopping trip. When I first came to the States and saw my first Angel Tree, I thought it was one of the sweetest things I had ever seen.
ReplyDeletelovely tradition!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had fun shopping, and had the extra bonus of doing something very special for a child.
ReplyDelete