Christmas Tree Angels
About Me & How Christmas Tree Angels Began
I am a single parent to two amazing children, and like many families, our journey has not always been easy.
Several years ago, we went through a very difficult period in our lives. I found myself struggling both financially and emotionally, and I reached a point where I needed to seek help. That Christmas was the first time in my life that I could not afford to buy gifts for my children, or even fully stock our pantry or fridge for the holiday season.
I was grateful to receive support from the church in the form of a food hamper. However, when I later sought help for Christmas gifts for my children from another source, the experience left me feeling deeply humiliated. Instead of support, I was made to feel as though I had done something wrong by asking. I walked away in tears, feeling even more broken, and with no gifts for my children.
Later that day, someone told me that unwanted gifts were sometimes left outside a church. I went and looked through them and did find a couple of gifts. They were not age-appropriate, and they weren’t what a teenager or a young child would normally wish for, but they were given with heart, my children would wake up to gifts under their tree.
One of those gifts had a tag attached with the story of Footprints in the Sand. At that moment in my life, it felt deeply personal and gave me hope that things would improve, reminding me that we are not alone, even during our darkest moments.
Those gifts remain in our home to this day as a reminder of a humbling time in our lives, and of the importance of helping others with dignity, kindness, and compassion.
That experience stayed with me long after that Christmas. I knew then that if I was ever in a position to help others, I wanted to do it differently, in a way that protected dignity and allowed people to receive help without feeling judged or shamed.
The idea for Christmas Tree Angels grew from that belief. I kept picturing a Christmas tree where each Angel represented real help, real care, and real joy for someone who needed it. While I later learned that similar ideas existed elsewhere, what mattered most was creating something meaningful for our own community, a project rooted in kindness, respect, and connection.
Christmas Tree Angels was born from that place.
How the Project is Growing
For the first two years, Christmas Tree Angels was run in-house with the support of our nursery families. The project was first introduced to parents at our annual Nursery Christmas Art Gallery in December 2023 and continued again in December 2024. Through their generosity, every Angel was fulfilled.
In 2025, Christmas Tree Angels is shared more widely beyond the nursery through social media, allowing the wider community to become involved. While it began as a small, in-house initiative, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The kindness, care, and willingness shown to support families in need has been both heart-warming and humbling.
As the project grows, it is our hope that more families who are genuinely struggling will feel safe and supported to come forward, knowing that Christmas Tree Angels is based on compassion, dignity, and confidentiality.
What Is Christmas Tree Angels?
Christmas Tree Angels is a community project where Angels are placed on a Christmas tree, each one representing a real person or family in need.
At present, the Angels are displayed at our nursery. As the project grows, it is our hope to place Christmas Tree Angels on trees in:
- workplaces
- schools
- churches
- shopping centres
- community centres
What’s on an Angel?
Each Angel includes:
- an age or age range (where appropriate)
- gender (optional)
- a small list of gift ideas or needs (such as toys, clothing, or toiletries)
- a reference number instead of a name, to protect privacy
How the Project Works
- A supporter chooses an Angel from the tree
- They purchase the gift or items listed on that Angel
- Gifts are returned wrapped and clearly labelled with the Angel attached
- Gifts are distributed before Christmas
Our aim is always to leave no Angel behind.
A Kind Note for Those Choosing an Angel
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who takes an Angel and chooses to support a family in need.
If you feel that an Angel’s gift request is not within your budget, we kindly ask that you select another Angel that feels comfortable for you. This helps ensure every Angel taken can be fulfilled, and your kindness can be shared in a way that works for everyone.
Donating Gifts, Toys, or Clothing
While we always hope every Angel will be fulfilled, there may be occasions where some needs remain unmet.
If you would like to donate a gift, toy, or clothing item, please contact us up to three days before the closing date for gift drop-off. We will be happy to let you know if there are any Angels still in need.
Who Christmas Tree Angels Supports
Although many Angels are for children, Christmas Tree Angels is really about families in need.
Support is offered based on circumstances, not age, allowing us to support:
- children and teenagers
- young adults
- parents and carers
- whole families
- elderly members of our community
Confidentiality & Safety
We want families and individuals to feel safe reaching out for support.
All enquiries, registrations, and allocations are handled with the strictest confidentiality and anonymity. Dignity and privacy are at the heart of this project.
How to Get Involved
Register for an Angel (Families in Need)
If you feel your family or someone you know may benefit from being included on a future Christmas Tree Angels project, please contact us in confidence.
Be an Angel
If you would like to support a family or individual by taking an Angel, we would love to hear from you.
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer with the project next year, please get in touch.
Businesses & Organisations
If your business, workplace, or organisation would like to take part next year by hosting Angels, please contact us and we can arrange to send Angels your way.
Contact Us
📞 WhatsApp / Phone: 54070555
🌐 Website: www.montessori.gi
Via our website you can access our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Please message us and include one of the following words so we can respond appropriately:
- Volunteer
- Register (for families in need)
- Gift
We will then contact you to guide you through the next steps and any required paperwork.