Sorry - I certainly don’t mean to rain on your giving parade, and you should give in whatever way you’re most comfortable and gives you the most satisfaction. I’m just trying to shed some light on many angles that many people don’t realize.
(Also, don’t forget that a straight donation is probably easier to track for tax deduction purposes as well!)
Not my money, not my decision to make. But yes, you make good points. I’m not saying nobody should ever donate to T4T.
How about toys to encourage kids to be active such as basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls? Give one kid a soccer ball and then the kid and all his/her friends have something to play with together.
I do this every year, and I try to get as many cool toys as possible to maximize the number of kids getting something fun for Xmas.
Check TJ Maxx and Marshall’s for Transformers and Littlest Pet Shop. They’re often clearanced to about half the retail price. Failing that, gift packs of Hot Wheels cars (about $5) are a win. I’ve also found basic Barbie dolls for about $5 at Walmart and Target.
If you’d like to include babies and toddlers, you can pick up a pack of those rubber balls with the spikes on them. Kids love those things.
I run a toys-for-tots thing each year, where ever I work. (if they allow it.) I always waffle between buying lots of small-priced items to get stuff for many kids or a few of the coolest items at top dollar. I grew up poor and I never had that cutting-edge gee-whiz toy that everyone else had and so part of me wants a child to experience it (or be one of the first to have it.) But another part of me wants to be sure that as many kids get something as possible.
Having said that, the t-f-t folks always tell me that they don’t get enough stuff for teens, especially teen boys. So this year I got a lot of the “in” card games. Of course, since I’m old, I have no real idea what they are and had to take the word of folks at work.
Hmm. What did you go with? I would’ve guessed Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Pokemon.
I used to work with families who, without donations, wouldn’t have had Christmas. A few thoughts.
If it requires batteries either don’t buy it, or buy the batteries to go along with it (and put them in it). No fun getting a toy that requires batteries and not having any. (And they can be expensive–and financially out of reach–if a parent has to choose between buying batteries or putting gas in the car to get to work.)
Don’t buy cheap crap. Not to sound ungrateful, but things bought at the Dollar Tree (especially “stocking stuffers”) are easily accessible (even to folks in poverty) and the toys are horrible–easily broken and never last long.
Think diverse. We used to get tons of blue eyed-blonde haired baby dolls when our families were Latin and African American. Sure a little girl may not care about the color of her baby doll’s hair, eyes, or skin, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a baby doll who looks similar to her?
Don’t forget books. Many households may not have any books. It doesn’t matter what book it is (but make it one YOU would want to read a hundred times if it’s a kids book).
Speaking of books, if the item has a “partner” (like coloring books and Crayons), then buy the partner. Barbie? Buy a couple of extra outfits. Matchbox cars? Buy the carrying case.
Although it’s nice to buy for the little kids, don’t forget the older ones, especially the teens. (Although Toys for Tots may have an age limit.) Teens often get overlooked at this time of year when toy drives collect lots of baby dolls, stuffed animals and toy cars.
Thank you, Rachellelogram and your mom.
Rachellelogram I believe Toys R Us is having a big sale this weekend. Also, they have coupons on line. Just thought I’d mention it. I think it’s a wonderful thing you and your mom are doing. 
The toys for tots in my area do not consider books to be toys and will not accept them. A few years ago I had someone donate 10 Harry Potter books - back when Harry was popular - and I was told “these are not toys, we cannot give them out.”
That makes me so sad. Somewhere a literary angel is crying.
There are Xmas book drives for getting books to kids.
Assuming books are out as described above, any good ideas for teens aside from collectable card games? My oldest is 13 and everything with him is electronics and video games and I don’t think throwing a Nintendo DSi or Kindle Fire into the Toys for Tots bin is going to work out.
Only thing I can think of sports stuff. The Collectable Card Games thing is there too but, having played Magic in my past and having a kid who did Pokemon, I know they tend to be a money sink unless you’re going to use the same deck of 40 cards forever.
I didn’t see an answer to this. It’s a line of Barbie type dolls. They are the high school aged offspring of “monsters” - Dracula’s daughter, Medusa’s son, etc.