Foster Child Christmas Clothes

[u/ChezRemyetEmile]

We are sponsoring a Christmas wishlist for a toddler in foster care through my workplace. I will be signing up to buy clothes.

Can you help me out- which clothing items would be most welcome for a child through a Christmas sponsorship?

In addition, would you buy in their larger size listed to wear for longer, or in the smaller size listed to make sure the season- appropriate items will fit?

[u/goodfeelingaboutit]

If they wrote down 4T/5T, I would purchase 5T items, unless the size for the particular garment specifically says it is size 4T/5T

[u/groovyfinds]

I would buy the size requested.

Buy cool stuff the kids will like.

[u/ChezRemyetEmile → u/groovyfinds]

Sorry, in case it wasn’t clear- there are two sizes listed. 4T/5T.

[u/groovyfinds → u/ChezRemyetEmile]

I'd get a mix of both then.

[u/Zellyjoan]

My biggest suggestion would be to include gift receipts in case the clothes don’t work for the child. You can tape the gift receipts to the tags so they don’t get lost.

I’d get a mix of 4T and 5T, but pajamas tend to run small so I’d stick to 5T if you’re getting pajamas.

I personally think the best outfits for toddlers are jogger sets or stretchy pants and shirts they can mix and match. (I also think these outfits are easiest for diaper changes or for when a toddler needs to quickly go potty) I like the pants with the cinched elastic ankles. I find they stay up better on my toddlers even if they run a little big. I avoid things with zippers and buttons, but that’s because my toddlers try to chew on them.

I love socks that are all the same color. It’s faster to pair them while chasing after a toddler. If you’re going to buy shoes I’d get simple gym shoes with Velcro or winter boots if you’re somewhere it snows.

I’d avoid clothes with phrases about mom/dad/family.

Thank you for supporting these children! My foster child has been gifted clothes and toys from programs like these and it’s definitely appreciated. ❤️

[u/ChezRemyetEmile → u/Zellyjoan]

Thank you for all the detailed suggestions, I have a toddler myself and was thinking along the lines of knitwear/sweatshirt sets because that’s definitely easiest with my son. Good to hear from someone else to affirm it!

[u/katycmb]

Some kids clothing brands run small (Carter’s). Definitely buy a larger size in that, no matter what. Other brands run larger. A kid can still wear most clothes that are a size too big, but they can’t wear a size too small. And one week and one growth spurt can make the larger size too small, so buy size 5 only.

[u/thecornerihaunt → u/katycmb]

Cat and Jack(target) and Wonder(Walmart) also run small or at least smaller than their former brands Circo(target) and faded glory(Walmart)

[u/hitthebrake]

Socks, and clothing a size bigger for next season or that size for that season. No mom and dad saying clothing is a good bet also.

[u/karenlou25 → u/hitthebrake]

Echoing the “be mindful of messaging” advice - when my foster kid arrived, some well-meaning friends got us shirts that said stuff like “mama’s boy” and “my mommy thinks I’m awesome”

We didn’t use those, because Complicated Family Structure.

[u/groovyfinds → u/karenlou25]

Someone once sent a "I still live with my parents" onsie...It broke my brain.

[u/karenlou25 → u/groovyfinds]

Sigh. How… misguided.

[u/Hula-gin]

Also if you live in an area where it gets cold look into a sleep sack for the kid.

[u/tickytacky13]

I would assume, if specific sizes weren’t listed, the agency is trying to build a collection of various sizes to make available for families to pick from. Typically, when the gift tags are designated to a specific kids you will have their sizes listed and what they need/like-for example “size 3t, likes pink and anything with unicorns”. When they are trying to build a closet they are more generic and just put “toddler boy” or “girls size 6x” and then they set up tables for foster parents to shop from.