you want HOW many TVs?

[ChiGirl]

Our office decided to do the "answer families' letters to Santa" this year instead of a secret Santa exchange.  The letters arrived today. 

Most were just what you'd expect (as in heartbreaking), but we were all a little flabbergasted by the mother who wrote that she wanted 9 television sets, one for each of her 9 children.  (Yes, that's NINE.) 

Now, I can understand a little kid asking for something insanely expensive b/c he just doesn't realize how unlikely that is.  (And there were letters that were teenagers asking for ipods, gaming systems, same stuff complained of in the other thread.)  But an adult?  Isn't there a difference between "shooting for the moon" and just plain ridiculous?

And beyond that--say this woman did get 9 television sets.  How would each kid be able to use their television set at the same time?  Does she have a 9-bedroom house?  (Am I overthinking this?  I think I'm overthinking this...maybe she wants to start a sports bar in her living room...)

[IndianInlaw]

Maybe she's having one hell of a garage sale.

[Bijou]

Our office decided to do the "answer families' letters to Santa" this year instead of a secret Santa exchange.  The letters arrived today. 

Most were just what you'd expect (as in heartbreaking), but we were all a little flabbergasted by the mother who wrote that she wanted 9 television sets, one for each of her 9 children.  (Yes, that's NINE.) 

Now, I can understand a little kid asking for something insanely expensive b/c he just doesn't realize how unlikely that is.  (And there were letters that were teenagers asking for ipods, gaming systems, same stuff complained of in the other thread.)  But an adult?  Isn't there a difference between "shooting for the moon" and just plain ridiculous?

And beyond that--say this woman did get 9 television sets.  How would each kid be able to use their television set at the same time?  Does she have a 9-bedroom house?  (Am I overthinking this?  I think I'm overthinking this...maybe she wants to start a sports bar in her living room...)

What are the 'answer families' letters to Santa'?  I've never heard of it.
I think someone is pulling someone's leg.  I'm sure the woman knows there is no way to get nine, but she would probably be happy to get one.  

[ChiGirl]

Our office decided to do the "answer families' letters to Santa" this year instead of a secret Santa exchange.  The letters arrived today. 

Most were just what you'd expect (as in heartbreaking), but we were all a little flabbergasted by the mother who wrote that she wanted 9 television sets, one for each of her 9 children.  (Yes, that's NINE.) 

Now, I can understand a little kid asking for something insanely expensive b/c he just doesn't realize how unlikely that is.  (And there were letters that were teenagers asking for ipods, gaming systems, same stuff complained of in the other thread.)  But an adult?  Isn't there a difference between "shooting for the moon" and just plain ridiculous?

And beyond that--say this woman did get 9 television sets.  How would each kid be able to use their television set at the same time?  Does she have a 9-bedroom house?  (Am I overthinking this?  I think I'm overthinking this...maybe she wants to start a sports bar in her living room...)

What are the 'answer families' letters to Santa'?  I've never heard of it.
I think someone is pulling someone's leg.  I'm sure the woman knows there is no way to get nine, but she would probably be happy to get one.  

Same thing as charity giving trees.  Charity collects letters from people who can't afford Christmas gifts, distributes the letters to participants, participants go out and buy the gifts, gifts are then given anonymously to the families.

Asking for 9 in the hope of getting one would explain it...but she did specify that she wanted one for EACH CHILD, so I think somewhere in her mind she thinks that getting 9 tvs is, or should be, a possibility.

And, as one of our secretaries put it: "don't those kids know how to share?"

[Camellia]

Is there a spending limit to these types of things? Because one TV is a rather large purchase, let alone nine.

However with this logic, if I ask for 10 diamond rings (1 for each finger) would I still get at least 1? 

[willow08]

I work for a church and we do something similar each Christmas.  If you'd like, here are some tips.

1) Get your families through a reputable charity or a school family resource center, since they've usually screened them before approving them for the program. Also, cross-check your list with other agencies to make sure they're not signed up for help through other programs. We usually have two or three families that sign up for five or six different programs in town, meaning other families can't get those spots and go with nothing.

2) We put up a board featuring cards for each family, no names, but with information on each child. Sample: Boy, 9, Jeans size 5/6, T-shirt size: Medium, Shoe Size 12. Really needs a coat.  Likes board games, puzzles and Power Rangers.   Each person who decides to adopt a family, takes a coded card and does their shopping.  The items are wrapped, marked with the family's code, and returned to the office with the card.  That way the family's identity is protected.

3) We do not buy large electronic iterms or video games, bikes, ATVs, Ipods, or anything like that.  We make that clear when the families sign up.

[Hijinks]

We did that for a family at my workplace once.  The teenagers all asked for things like iPods and portable DVD players, CD's, etc.  It's just their culture - they want to fit in and have the stuff their friends have.  I understand it but I usually decline to shop for the teens.

[demarco]

It really sounds like she wants something she can sell and make money on. How sad.   

[sbtier]

I can see fuses blowing with 9 TVs going all at once.   

The giving tree at the place I'm contracting at is looking really good.  Shiny brand new bikes started appearing a few days ago and there's quite a fleet parked up against the wall.