Gift Receipt for Homeless Child?

I wouldn't.

The reason I wouldn't is that I wouldn't want the parent to take the toys back to the store for cash.

I wouldnt for the toys because the parents might take them back for the cash, but with the clothes, I would since they might not fit right.

I agree with Bug B. What a crappy thing to assume that because someone is homeless they will not have the morals not to take from their children! This is what I dislike about this site- the snap judgments, assumptions, and the superiority some people on here project. Ugh.

Anyway, J.- send the receipts with the items. Are you sending them unwrapped? If so, then the parents will get the items and receipts first so the receipts won't get included. If the presents are wrapped attach the receipt to the outside- the staff will detach it and give it to the parents most likely. Clothes may not fit, the children may have similar toys to what you give them (just because they are homeless doesn't necessarily mean they don't have toys),or something else that necessitates an exchange.
Thank you J. for your generosity. What a wonderful teaching experience for your children as well! Happy holidays!

WOW! Just because someone, is homeless...doesn't mean they are going to turn in their kid's Christmas gifts, for something else. What, is wrong with you people?!!!? There are homeless people, who have been gainfully employed their entire lives and have fallen on hard times. All kinds of respectable folks are homeless, in this economy. How incredibly judgmental, to assume they would steal from their child, simply because they are homeless. How terrible. I would be ashamed, if I were any of you saying that. Geez.

Rant over. I think it would be smart, to include the receipts for the clothing. If they don't fit, they would need to get clothed that do. I don't see a reason, why they would want or need to take the toys back. The clothing receipt, would be very beneficial, though.

Hi,

That is wonderful that you are giving gifts to these kids! I can't believe some people's comments about the parents taking it for cash-- how disrespectful!!! Homeless men and women are just as good as you and me. They have fallen on hard times---just think-most people are 1 paycheck away from being homeless-so maybe they shouldn't talk that way! Most stores give merchandise credit not cash anyways-- I would definitely include the gift reciepts so that if an item doesn't fit, they can exchange for one that does!

For future reference to those who are soooo judgemental, how would you like it if others treated you so poorly the way you treat the homeless parents??? I have met many homeless men and women and they couldn't be close to being selfish or horrible the way it is implied. They are some of the most sacrificial, loving parents who want the best for their kids just like we do-they just don't have the means to do it! GIVE THEM A BREAK!

J.--- good luck and have a great holiday!

Molly

i think what all those rude people forgot is just like us these people are MOMMYS and DADDYS!!! and i dont think they would take away the few nice things their kids would get, my husband and i decided not to get each other gifts this year so that our son would have a great christmas, its no different from the parents at a shelter. so i think you should include a receipt just in case something doesnt fit, thats what we did for the christmas angel tree

As someone who has worked extensively with homeless youth and homeless families, yay! You done good mama!

It is difficult to change peoples views about why folks experience homelessness and even more difficult to change the views of policy makers. I think people need to believe homelessness is either a choice or consequence for 'bad' character because if this is true, then those passing judgment have nothing to fear because they make 'good' choices and have a 'good' character. To believe anything different means bad things might happen to them. This is all I can think of as a reason...a self protective mechanism that provides a false sense of security. The truth, that good people fall on hard times and that it is out of their control, is unacceptable because this means no good person is safe. Too scary for some to fathom.

What I will share is that the vast majority of homeless families and yes, even homeless youth, WORK! Some have more than one job. But rent isn't cheap for families, nor are bills that come along with a home. Many had medical debts that seem insurmountable. I worked with a youth who was 19 years old, homeless after being kicked out by his parents because he was gay. The sweetest most well-rounded kid I've ever met. He was also diabetic. Being homeless made his diabetes worse because nutrition and insulin availbility is critical. He ended up in the hospital, nearly dead, and had to stay a few days. His debt was $120,000. The minimum payments due each month were close to $600. How many 19 year olds can do this and pay rent with what work is available? He had a positive attitude, even though he was fired for missing work while he was in the hospital, but couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I wonder why?!

This is just 1 of many similar stories.

Judge as you will but please know, whether someone is homeless or not, they are real people with real struggles and with few supports. I think people believe there are a ton of resources to help, and that their 'tax money' goes to help so clearly homelessness is a choice. Well, there are NOT a ton of resources and agencies struggle to find donations because the government does very little and donations are small BECAUSE of such uninformed judgments.

J., you are a wonderful godsend so please keep doing the good things you are doing:) It is needed...and yes, including the receipt is wonderful!

To tell you the truth I do not think the folks that were thinking the parents would try to get the gifts back for cash are that far off. Not everyone has the best intentions. But I think for the most part parents would not do this. I hope to believe that the parents only have good intention concerning the children. I also adopt a family each year and I do include receipts for everything. I also always include a gift card to a grocery store. I do this because if I was as poor as them, I might return things so I could give my children a great meal. Its a wonderful thing to put smiles on all faces.

YES!!! I just did a whole family and put gift receipts on everything. That way if they dont like/need that particular item they can exchange it for something else. Also, if clothes are in the wrong size, it makes it so much easier to swap.

I would for the clothes but as long as they have a tag most places will let you make an exchange but the only problem with that is if it went on sale and there is no receipt to show what the price was when it was purchased you only get the value of its currents price.

I can't believe people would assume that homeless parents would exchange their children's gifts for cash! Being homeless does not equal a bad parent.

I can't think of a reason not to.

If I had to choose between food and bus fair to my job or a brand new toy, I would be tempted to take some back because getting to work and having food are bigger needs than a bunch of toys. Plus, I would think about having to take care of items while being homeless. It would not mean I am the devil, just that I am practical. And some people get toys from several agencies or duplicates even. Give them the receipt and make it easier on everyone.

Well I wouldn't want the parents to exchange it for something else at the store. (I don't think they could get cash back, though. Usually stores only give out merchandise credit these days with gift receipts.) Also... the child might question why there is a gift receipt attached if it is from Santa. Santa doesn't leave gift receipts since things are made at the North Pole.

But..... I can see the flip side- what if the clothes don't fit or the material bothers the child, etc... and if you don't leave the gift receipt, then the child could not get something else in place of it. So... I would say definitely get the correct size clothing for that particular child ... not just his/her age and buy really soft clothing. (My twins are 9 yrs. old and they think even the soft jeans are uncomforatble.... and they don't like turtlenecks, etc... I personally have bought gifts for low income families and delivered them to our church. (but not for a specific child- just age.) From there, a few people drop all of the gifts off at the shelter and the moms pick something out for each of their children. (We used to wrap them, but now the moms do after looking at the merchandise and selecting stuff.) I seldom saw gift receipts on the presents that were dropped off at the church.

YES! I would definitely include the gift receipt, esp. for clothes. If the clothes don't fit, the receipt would make it much easier for them to be exchanged for a better size.

When I remember (because I do often forget to do this), I include gift receipts -especially for clothing. We adopt poor children from a local preschool here and fulfill their wish lists. They're comprised of half clothes and half toys, and we have no idea what they already have. 98% of the time the toys and the clothing requests are not specific at all beyond "Dora toys" or "Spiderman toys." In case they get something that doesn't fit right or a duplicate toy, then I want them to be able to return it. When forgetting the gift receipt, I have often added to the tag, "All items from Target" or something like that. At least that way they can go to Target and exchange even without a receipt.

Absolutely. You never know how something actually works until you are the Mom.