Here's the scoop - family friend who used to be our full-time babysitter when the kids were little (like another grandmother to them), now takes in foster children. She has adopted one, and has four others now (I think, sometimes it's hard to keep track). All teenaged girls from variety of not so good situations.

OK, Ok, long story short.

Because some of the girls come and go.....do I gift them all equally?

Is $15 too small of a GC for a teenaged girl? They don't get to buy new items that often.

I have christmas sock gift card holders and a VS lip gloss for each + the gift card....trying to decided between $15 and $20? DS1 said $25 because that's what she gives them....but my boys are 2, and her girls are 5...he said I was being cheap.

What do you think?


cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

If it is to some place like Walmart or Target then I think that is good, total is going to be $75, plus you already have the lip gloss. I think it's very thoughtful that you would do this to begin with. I used to be a social worker for DHS and have worked in both a Child Protective Services Unit and a Foster Care Unit at different times. You are correct in the fact they they do not get alot of new things, minimal amounts of new clothing from the state 2 times a year and whatever the foster parent provides. If they have a really good social worker they can sometimes get them on the Angel Tree or another type program, but not always and that is only if you have a social worker willing to go that extra mile for their kids (some are, some aren't willing). I think the girls will be thrilled!

I think $15 is fine and $20 is generous. They are not children you *have* to buy for so any gift is wonderful in my eyes.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I was going to do Old Navy, TJMaxx and/or Marshalls - maybe mix and match and they can swap amongst themselves. What I want to avoid is giving such a small amount that they can't go in and get a top or something. It's hard for me to judge because I'm such a bargain shopper and maybe teenagers aren't so much.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

How generous of you! My 17 DS says 15 doesnt get you much.. but this is coming from someone who shops at AE.. With after christmas sales that money could go far

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"Never loan your car to someone you have given birth too"

It's wonderful that you are thinking of them!
If you can easily afford $20, that would probably be the best.
If they take advantage of the sales they can maybe get a couple of things and if not, they should still be able to get something nice.
I hope Santa is good for you for being so good to others!!
God Bless You!!!

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

I would do cash, since you said they come and go, maybe in the shuffle, they can't make it to that store??? I would also team it up with some other things, maybe a gift basket of razors, shampoos, etc....foo foo stuff. I would also give a grocery sack to the Foster Mom of deodorant, feminine supplies, toiletries, etc, depending on the relationship you have with her. With that many girls in the house.....YIKES!!!


ETA: $15 or $20 or whatever you want to give would be fine. If you gave $5, I would think that was cheap, but, at least you thought of them.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

That's a good idea on the basket, allinaugust. I will make something up from my soldier stash. I was thinking that I had to have 5 of everything and maybe that's not true if I do a sharing basket. As for cash, well, I'm doing gift cards because I already have them. I also want the girls to have the enjoyment of buying something of their choice. I'm araid a $20 bill will get lost in the shuffle, spent on daily things.

I think I'll go with the $20 gc. As someone pointed out, I can afford to do that and I'm pretty sure they can get themselves something for that amount, whereas $15 was iffy.

Thanks for the advice, folks!

cj/

ETA: For the foster mom, I'm doing a magazine basket stuffed with a couple of toss pillows, a throw, and some cranberry candles, cranberry Body Shop items, cranberry treats, and a $25 Panetera bread GC. Hope she likes it!

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I'm sure the foster mom will love it and how thoughtful of you to not only give her a wonderful gift but to think of the girls. I'm sure the GC will be appreciated by them and like you said they'll have the enjoyment of picking something out for themselves.