Salvation Army Giving Tree

Updated on December 10, 2014
J.G. asks from Aurora, CO
13 answers

I have selected and Angel for a five year old. Listed on the angel is a request for an Easy Bake Oven. The package indicates it is recommended for 8 yrs and older. I'm not feeling great about getting a kid a gift that may harm them. Is it okay to substitute, or do I just trust the child will be supervised? What would you do??

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So What Happened?

Thanks all for thoughts. I did buy the Easy Bake Oven, and several mixes both Jiffy and the Easy Bake kind. I also bought her second gift request a Frozen Doll, (boy are those hard to come by) and a pair of warm pajamas, simply because in my house we have had a traditional visit on Christmas Eve where PJ the Elf leaves jammies for the family. LOL - even with all my kids over 18 they look foward to PJ's visit! I added a note from Santa pointing out that Jiffy mixes work well, and are inexpensive, and to please be careful when using the oven,

Point of clarification - my issue was never about cost nor "my specifications". I want every child to have the very best Christmas ever. It is such a majical time!

Featured Answers

D.D.

answers from New York on

Get her the gift she asked for. You aren't her mom and its not up to you to determine that her parents will not supervise properly.

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

If you feel uneasy about getting the requested gift then don't buy it. But do put the request back on the tree.

Each year I try to get an angel or two and get them requested items. Before I pick them I go through see what I feel I can get them. When I buy things, I buy the same quality that I would have for my own children.

One year there was a request from a 7 year old for a sewing machine. I thought long and hard about it and gave her one of mine. The machine was new but it was not one that I would use. I repackaged the machine with instructions and extra sewing notions and a card in the box and gave it to the local Salvation Army office for the girl. My husband also gave a kid a mountain bike. The bike had been stored for several years and was like new so we gave a kid that. Also there have been times that I went to the office to find out what was needed and when the deadline was for turning in items.

Do what you can with an open heart it will be greatly appreciated.

the other S.

4 moms found this helpful

F.W.

answers from Danville on

I would enclose a note from 'santa' cautioning that this is a special gift that requires adult supervision.

I have to say though, that back 'in MY day', the easy bake ovens cooked with a light bulb...I cannot imagine there is a tremendous risk!

Anyway, how kind of you to send an 'angel gift'.

Enjoy a wonderful holiday season!

ETA

Relative to Sadie's concern, I seem to remember some web sites that HAD recipes for easy bake ovens. Maybe google that, and include some suggestions with the oven!!

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Get it.

Or take the Angel certificate back and choose another option fitting your specifications.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

ETA

The EBO is a fire hazard due to the outside getting hot from the lightbulb. Kids drop stuff on the top and it's plugged in and a fire can start. They put in a pan of stuff and run off to play, come back to their place they were playing with it and there's a burnt item inside.

I do think they're out of date and cooking in the kitchen with mom or dad is so much better.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'd have picked a different angel. I suggest that you consider this. If the tree is still there see if you can find a child that has a wish list in line with what you want to buy and spend.

These kids have wants and parents who can't afford to buy the items on the list. This parent had a choice. They can put anything on that list. They can put bikes, toys, clothes, computers, games, and more on those lists and sometimes they get those expensive items.

They might not know the age limits on the toy, I wouldn't have known for sure and would have had to go look.

The parents make out this list completely on their own. They know what their child wants and put it on the list. The kiddo might only want this but it's not something I would have allowed them to have.

If you don't want to buy the oven then change the angel out. If they don't have any more on the tree you can call the Salvation Army to see if they have any angels that weren't taken.

Just a note to everyone who considers taking an angel. If you can't afford to buy the items on that angel please pass on that one. Those kids really do have wishes and they might only want that one thing. It might be something they've been wanting for a whole year. It's a big deal to them.

One year we got everything on my granddaughter's list. Plus more. They even got her a bike.

Then my grandson, we was just turning 3, got a toy dinosaur. It was hard solid plastic and had a sharp pointed tail. The age on the dinosaur was age 8 and up. He got a couple of size 18 month pants and a size 12 month top.

The items went back to Walmart and I got a refund. It was about $12. I went and pawned my wedding rings to buy his Christmas.

I understand that not everyone is comfortable with the gifts or amount of things a child wants on those angels. That's why they hang them on a tree, so you can go through them and find a child that's a good match.

I'd probably buy the oven and hope for the best.

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S.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I would buy the requested item if possible.

Now my issue with easy bake is the cost of the food items. Is there a person at Salvation Army who might know the children requesting gifts? If so, I would ask them their opinion.

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W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

They usually read the cards before the kids put them on there.

If you don't like this, put the angel back and get one you feel more comfortable with.

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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

My daughter got her's at 4. It's fine. Relax and buy the kid what she wants.

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M.C.

answers from Louisville on

I would go ahead and get it. If the mother feels her child can handle it and put it on the list, then that's her prerogative. I know my 4yo would likely love an easy bake, and I would feel comfortable with her having one; but I prefer to just bake with her using the real oven. She already cooks eggs and other easy things on the stove with my supervision; I'm not about to call an easy bake dangerous! Lol.

As far as the cost of using it, when I was a kid I used to use Jiffy mixes in mine. $1.00 a box. Not too expensive at all. :)

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K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I think that was the age my son got his. By then he was already helping while cooking every day which is what prompted it to be given as a gift in the first place. I think it would be fine.
I like the suggestion to include information with recipes from websites. I would print some up and not assume regular access to a computer/internet. Buy a Jiffy cake mix to include as well maybe.
Those mixes that are sold for the oven are so expensive! It would be a shame for the kids to get a small amount of use out of it because they can't afford anymore mixes for it.

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S.A.

answers from Kansas City on

I would hope any 5 yr old would be supervised and I'm sure this one will be, too. Someone had to help them write and/or submit it. I'd say stick to the request and make someone smile.

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

We are trying to sell our daughter's Easy Bake Oven so we tested it last night. The oven itself clearly says it gets HOT, but the top wasn't hot at all after 15 minutes of being on. We put a tray in it to let it "bake" and after 5 minutes it was definitely warm to touch, but not HOT.

I would get the child the Easy Bake Oven. It's on sale at Target right now for $29.99.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Granting a little child's wishes is one of the joys of Christmas. Well done!

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