This Year You Can Participate in Walmart’s Angel Tree Program From Home

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More Christmas

boy opening Christmas gift

Walmart is teaming up with the Salvation Army to #RescueChristmas from COVID-19!

The Salvation Army and Walmart have been partnering for more than 40 years so that every child can experience joy on Christmas morning. Each year, the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides new clothing and toys to more than one million children and families in need. This year, the organization is expecting to see a 155% increase in need due to the economic effects of the coronavirus.

kids opening Christmas presents

Despite the pandemic, the Angel Tree program will continue this year, and it will need more help than ever to be successful. Anyone wishing to purchase a gift for a child in their community can do so in person at most Walmart Stores. Starting November 1, you can simply pick a tag off the Angel Tree located inside your local Walmart.

This year, you can also shop online using Walmart’s Registry for Good. Gifts purchased online will be delivered directly to The Salvation Army, which will then distribute them to the families in time for Christmas. To participate online, just head on over here and enter your ZIP code to search for an Angel Tree in your community.


man ringing bell for Salvation Army

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the coin shortage, and people carrying less cash than usual, you’ll be seeing fewer red kettles this holiday season. If you’d like to make a monetary donation to the Salvation Army, you can do that online this year as well. Just head on over here and choose your dollar amount!

If you or someone you know would like to register a child for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, you’re encouraged to do so locally at one of the thousands of application sites across the country. Visit the Salvation Army’s website and enter your ZIP code to obtain more information (including eligibility guidelines) from your local Salvation Army.


Looking for more ways to give back this holiday season?

Join The Discussion

Comments 25

  1. Tanya S

    They do so much good during the holidays. Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, and want every kid to have presents on Christmas morning. Does not matter what your religious affiliation is they are doing this every year. Lines are out the door this year and several organizations are just not doing Christmas help this year . I will definitely be adding by shopping online and donating.

    • Irene (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks so much, Tanya S! Your heart is in the right place 🙂

  2. franny5

    It is a great thing they do. But just be aware that if a tag has a kids name, likes, sizes etc. it does not mean that kid receives the gift. When parents come to pick them up they pick off a table of say books, toys stuffed animals, pjs etc.

    • Kristina

      My parents worked for the SA for 40 years. Normally the tags are for people who register in advance plus they pick from additional toys on a table that the SA orders in addition to angel tree toys (this is where the money in the red kettles goes among other things). If you don’t register in advance but need Christmas help you pick from the table. Hope that helps.

      • christinemay

        Thank you for posting this. We have done the Angel Tree before and always tried to get what the kids wanted (a certain kind of doll or category of book, etc.) and I would be heartbroken to know that all kids just pick from a table. That’s good to know they have that system for those who don’t register in advance.

    • Irene (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks for the heads up, franny5. Great to know that kids will receive gifts regardless.;)

  3. Angie

    I typed in my zip code and they want us to buy Walmart gift cards (1000), tablets, DVD players or perfume/cologne sets? That seems like maybe Walmart wants to sell those things? This does not seem very essential to me.

    • Kristina

      I tried to buy for a poor section of town outside DC metro. They had all kinds of toys vs the higher priced items. Maybe the toys on that list are for older kids who don’t usually get picked by traditional Angel Tree. My folks worked for the SA for 40 years and some kids don’t get picked and there are limited options for gifts they can receive by the SA.

  4. Happy Aunt

    Gifts for older children are historically the hardest for organizations to collect and is likely why you are seeing this type of list. People think of younger children, but not always the older ones.

    • Amy

      Yes teen gifts can be more expensive but gift cards to stores for electronics, clothing etc are appreciated. Even a nice lotion set or cologne set is appreciated.

  5. lk

    Are they doing Angel Tree items for senior citizens this year too? Last year I picked an older gentleman and his wish list was socks and t-shirts. Heartbreaking!

    • Amy

      I would reach out to Meals on Wheels. I volunteer with them and ask what they would like. Most ask for necessities. A new razor, bottle of lotion, a new bath towel. Items we can get discounted thanks to Hip2save

  6. E

    An old friend is running the toy drive for SA in a city in Cali. Her list was all very reasonable toys and other items. Reasonably priced. I looked up the SA list on Walmart for my city and while it had lots of basics like women’s underwear and laundry soap for their shelter (specifically the only shelter for families in our area), the toys were pricey and ridiculous, most were like $35-$50. Or bikes. Nothing in the $10-$20 range which is what I would normally budget for a donation gift. I think we will do toys at the SA project in Cali and then locally the supplies they need for the shelter.

    • Angela

      Hi, do you know how your friend set up this toy drive ? I really want to do something similar but would like to give the items myself to those in need. I’m not sure where to start or how to do this. My kids and I love wrapping presents and would like to collect donations so we can wrap them and pass them out.

      • E

        She is part of Salvation Army. One of the leaders of their corps I believe. I’m sure you could contact your local Salvation Army or another organization and ask how to get involved. I know locally they are having some in-person volunteer opportunities, but less than usual.

      • Amy

        Angela, you might be able to partner with a school or day care in your area. They usually have a list (or will ask for signups) of families who need help. That would keep the number manageable for you, and you might be able to work with the organization to put together a drive that helps people you can see but in a way that won’t be so overwhelming.

        I’ve worked with a community college. They wanted to start a brand new gift program at the holidays but then realized that they already had a population that needed help based on who was using their food pantry. It was very easy for the staff to talk to each family to see who was interested, and then they could also get the gift info and help pass things out since they already had a good relationship with all the families.

  7. beaglemom46

    Thanks for the idea! We were able to purchase a bed, sweatshirts, coats, toys, and bikes for the older kids. We decided we have enough stuff and wanted to spend more on children, animals, and food banks this year. It makes us feel good to imagine the kids using what we have purchased. We hope everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season!

  8. Caroline

    Can anyone tell me if I’m supposed to buy all things on list (coat, shirt, shoes, etc.)? Or if the need is clothes just to double up on that?
    Also, we usually do not get the toy listed…will the family still get a toy though?

  9. Connie Hill

    How do I register to get help for Christmas i cant figure out how to do it somebody please help me i need this help bad for my four young daughters christmas

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hi Connie! It looks like you would contact your local Salvation Army. You can find one near you through the link above when you scroll down to the bottom of that page. Hope this helps!

  10. Danielle

    Does anyone know if the Wal-Mart in Mount Pleasant, MI is doing the Angel Tree this year? My fiancé and I wanted to go and gift 10-20 children this year but every time I do a search in my area their store doesn’t show up and they aren’t answering their phone!!

    • Katie

      Danielle – I went to CMU in Mt P – fire up Chips! Are you calling the Walmart or the Salvation Army? Maybe the SA can answer you for you.

  11. Chris

    My wife and I are planning on doing this. My question is, how do the toys actually get to the kids? I just want to make sure they are getting what we donate.

  12. brittany britt

    i am a single mother of 3 girls ages 16 13 and 11 i am not sure if i am at the right place or not but i was needing help with assistances when it comes to christmas i just lost my mother the other day to a massive heartattack i cared for her and my father whom is disable witch i am still caring for him but we had to pay for my mothers funeral expenses out of pocket but it took a tole on us we were saving up for christmas and had to use those expenses to pay for funeral…etc i am currently located in pulaski county ky but i was not sure if you all could help me or not i just want to see my kids light up again since their grandmothers passing

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      SO very sorry for your loss.❤️ I do see that you can apply for help with this program through the link above. You might also try checking with your Walmart store customer service. ❤️

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