Considering registering for Toys for tots this year because I’m not gonna have much for gifts. I have a 3yo, 10yo and 11yo. My older two aren’t really into toys at all any more so I’m not sure it would be worth it. Does anyone know how it works? Do they take your children’s likes/interests into consideration?
1 Like
I believe you can write in some options for things they like. But you have to find your state and city’s local organizations and apply. You need to do it asap though. These things actually start taking applications in October and have an early cutoff of late November/very early December so there’s plenty of time to accommodate everyone. And that’s if they still have space available. You can also check with your children’s school and see if they offer any sort of holiday help program. My daughter’s school sent an email a couple weeks ago about signing up for it. There was also a local foodbank that already needed requests for help by now. So always look in October going forward if you need help again.
Here’s the Toys for Tots link:
Every chapter or division of toys for tots is different. One town I lived in was very well organized. Parents shopped for toys. You left with at least a full sized trash bag for each child. Usually 2. They had tables for each age group/gender & other areas like stuffed animals, games, stocking stuffers etc. You got to choose so many items off each section. It was great & didn’t take long. Another town I was in made everyone stay in their cars. The line was literally miles long. When you got to the front of line they gave you a small bag for each child. Your child’s interests didn’t matter. The were supposed to be for age/gender. But really weren’t. It was ridiculous. Took several hours & there wasn’t anything useful. We got accessories for toys my kids didn’t have & I couldn’t afford & other crap. I think we spent more in gas than the things were worth. Plus they had no procedure for those without a car. So the families in real need couldn’t take advantage. Another town had a party. They served food, had bouncy houses, Santa. It was loud so my autistic son wasn’t bappy. But my other child loved it. The gift receiving part was strange. You shopped WITH your kid. So the intent is that kids who’s parents can’t buy gifts get something for Christmas but in reality they got it before Christmas & picked it out themselves. Then had nothing for Christmas morning. WEIRD.
You won’t know how yours work until you go.