Woman shares a mind-altering perspective on gifting and donating to kids on the Angel Tree program

With Christmas just around the corner, the season of giving has begun in several places. Charities and philanthropic organizations aim to spread joy by providing for children and people and giving them a feel of the festive season. However, these donations are mostly restricted to meeting their needs and basic amenities rather than wants. TikTok content creator Jessie (@jessabelli93) touched on this topic when she shed light on an important reminder that sparked a debate over the internet. The woman made a strong case for children from low-income families to be able to have whatever they want and not just what they need. In her video, she referenced the “Angel Tree” charity program that helps provide gifts to such children.

In her video, Jessie highlighted the fact that these children are no different than other kids when it comes to having dreams and wishes. The woman who works with a non-profit organization and helps with donations and other things for foster kids, shared the need to be more thoughtful. She said, “The kids on Angel Tree that are with Walmart or hooked up with other nonprofits, those kids are allowed to ask for nice things too.” She elaborated by saying that there should be no barrier or discrimination as to what such children ask simply because of their financial or unconventional backgrounds. “They should be able to ask for the things that your children ask for,” Jessie said.

She further mentioned that these children are also exposed to what could be considered as material objects. “Those kids go to school with your kids and so they know what’s out there. They want the Nike AirForce, they want the Xbox, or whatever air pods are out, they want that and that’s normal,” Jessie added. She pointed out that it’s okay if one can’t afford to give the kids these things, but they should be able to ask for them because they’re no different from the rest. They’re allowed to dream and wish without any limitations. “It’s not okay to judge them for wanting nice things,” Jessie concluded.

In her caption, Jessie again mentioned, “It’s okay for these kids to want nice things. It’s also okay if you don’t want to buy them, you don’t have to. But there’s nothing wrong with them wanting nice things.” Her video received quite a few mixed reactions and over 13k comments. Many were positive about Jessie’s opinion and others shared what it felt like to be on the receiving end. @gluteusmaximusthecat said, “Many of these kids think the gifts are from Santa. Why does Santa give other kids Nikes while they get dollar shoes that wear out?" A recipient, @nikfrmknx, recalled, “I remember I was given a Columbia jacket one year. I cried, I was so happy. I looked like everyone else in my grade.”

Jessie posted another video to add to her discussion, where she advocated the fact that children should receive nice and well-maintained items in donations. She said, “Please don’t donate your stained clothes to foster kids, they don’t want them. In her caption, she wrote, “It isn’t good for their dignity, self-worth or self-esteem. They don’t need to be grateful for things that belong in the trash or textile recycling.”