Under the Tree 2009
As we make our way through emails, assign reviews and design our Christmas Giveaway buttons, I start to feel the thrill of the Christmas Season.
It comes first in little sparks of excitement — picturing my kids squealing with Christmas morning delight, imagining feasting with family and friends till our stomachs are stuffed full, remembering closing my eyes and feeling the holiness of the Christmas music, and most of all, looking forward to a special season of thanking our Lord for all He has done.
Once again, we get the added thrill of helping send some extra love to families in need as we sprinkle some Christmas hope and joy out into the community with our second annual Under The Tree program here at 5 Minutes for Mom.
Under the Tree is about getting some of that Christmas magic (bloggy style!) right to some families who need it!
And here is how we do it — with your help of course. 
We will choose several families to sponsor this Christmas.
The wonderful companies who are taking part in our Christmas Giveaway 2009 are donating items for our sponsored families.
So, in addition to providing prizes for our readers to win by commenting on the individual reviews, the companies participating in the Christmas Giveaway 2009 are providing presents to these selected families who are in need this Christmas.
We are so blessed to partner with such generous companies.
We know there is so much need out there, especially in these difficult economic times, but through Under the Tree, we hope we can share the spirit of Christmas and ease the burden from some families who just don’t know how they will be able to provide presents for their children this Christmas.
How you can help?
If you know a family who will not be able to provide presents for their children this Christmas, please nominate them in the comments below or send a private email to us at info(at)5minutesformom(dot)com. You can also nominate your own family.
Please leave personal information, such as last names, out of your nomination, but do include the number and ages of the children.
It’s going to be very tough narrowing the nominees down to just a few families. But due to the fact that we only have a limited number of gifts, we will have to make those hard decisions.
Since we do not want to disappoint anyone, please do not let the families know that you are nominating them. If we choose them, we will contact you to verify the details and then determine if the families want to accept the gifts.
Please note that we will also not post personal information about the families that we select. We’d like to keep it as private as possible.
We will do our best to match presents to children according to their age and gender, therefore the families we choose may be determined by the suitability of the gifts we have.
We will keep the nominations open until November 20th, 2009.
Please feel free to also post one of our Under The Tree buttons on your blog or site. Click here to get the button codes. We greatly appreciate you spreading the word and commenting here to show your support.
Your enthusiasm for Under the Tree and for the participating companies generosity helps pave the way for future projects!
THANK YOU for helping us transform these families’ holiday season into a time of blessing and excitement!
121 Comments
I would like to nominate my family. We are struggling to make. My wife lost her job after being sick and put in the hospital with high blood pressure,diabetes,and high cholesterol.The doctor said she was a stoke waiting to happen. Thank god I still have her. We have 3 son and it would be a blessing to receive your help. Bless You
I would like to nominate my sister, her husband and 4 daughters for Under the Tree 2009 giveaway. A little over a year ago, my sister was bitten by a brown recluse spider which resulted in her being on her back for 5mths, she developed the flesh eating skin disease, went thru 3 surgeries and it all has compromised her immune system. She had gotten pregnant after all of this with a boy, they were so excited to finally add a boy to their family, when on her birthday March 30 of 09 she lost her her baby, it’s believed that her recent illness from the spider bite may have caused this. She suffers all of the time, sores don’t heal and if she gets sick it’s not over in a few days. But yet she carries on with the scar in tow and her head held high. This past Sept 26th, a young man huffing computer duster crashed into my sister’s and husband’s business causing their only income to be gone. The young man had minimum insurance that he could, which has resulted in them still trying to get their business back going to this date. They have no Christmas tree or presents for their 4 girls. Her husband has been doing what he can working out of his mother’s business to keep a roof over their head and heat in their home. This year all the children are old enough to understand the whole Santa Claus, they are so excited and my sister just breaks down for the fact she can’t do anything for them. I do have to admit for halloween my sister went above and beyond, made her own halloween decorations, the children’s costumes and had her daughters 4th Halloween birthday party. They never give up, no matter what the circumstances are. She always keep her faith to God. Her favorite saying has become slow motion is better than no motion. She has taught me no matter how bad the storm the sun will always come out and to give all you can to others because the world can only be a better place if people make themselves better. This family stays involved with the community, fosters for the humane society and also whatever moneys her husband has brought home they have shared with another family who is just bad off. I am so thankful to be able to call them my family. They make me proud.
Hi! I am a pastor’s wife from northern Iowa. I would like to nominate a single mom, who recently moved to our community. She has six children still at home. They range from 18 to 8. Her 13 year old daughter Molly is special needs. Molly cannot walk and wears diapers. You never hear Molly’s mom complain. She just keeps spreading “SON”shine wherever she goes. They have very little and need help this Christmas.
DEAR ,I HAVE SOME FRIENDS HAVE BEEN GOING THREW SOME REAL TRIAL TIMES THIS YEAR.MY FRIENDS HUSBAND SUFFERS FROM A DISK DIEASE AND MANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS.BUT THE WORST CAME WHEN THEY TOLD THEM HER HUSBAND HAS LIVER CANCER.THAT WAS THE DEEPEST HERT ANYONE COULD HANDLE.THEIR 12 YEAR OLD IS TAKEING IT HARDEST.WHAT HE HAS TOLD ME IS WHAT HERTS WORST IS NOT THE PHYSICAL PAIN,ITS THE THE PAIN OF NOT KNOWING HOW LONG HE HAS,AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GIVE HIS FAMILY A CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR THATS WHAT HERTS HIM MORE.HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY CAREING AND GIVEN MAN 4 MANY YEARS.PLEASE ANSWER MY PRAYERS AND HELP THEM.GOD BLESS.LORI ROSEBUSH
I have to apolagize, I got so excited when I came across this site for nominating my sister and her family, I completely forgot to put the children’s ages. They are all girls, ages 3, 4 and twin 11 year olds. Thank you again for giving families who need a little extra Christmas spirit in their lives.
I would like to nominate my family this year. We have four kids and we are facing the possibility of being evicted and don’t have the money to pay our car payment and therefore don’t have any presents for our children.
I would like to nominate my best friends family for this years under the tree 2009 giveaway. I have lived next door to this family for about five years and they just recently lost there home due to the fact that our economy has not been at its best and it has really taken a toll on this family of of eight. They are truly and genuinly a good and hard working family.Their family consists of six children and their parents. Juan is the youngest of the children he is 13, Nancy is 16, Laura is 18, Vicente is 21, Lizzette is in her twenties, and Ana who is the oldest of the children. I PRAY EACH DAY THAT THIS FAMILY GETS SOME SORT OF HELP.
Greetings,I’d like to nominate my 4 children Ron 15, Shawna 14, Jordan 10 and Christopher is 8. I’m a single mom out of work for the past 3 months and the reality is that I will not be able to provide any gifts for them this year, I ran across this wonderful program while doing a google search and decided to set my pride aside and ask for help. It’s not easy telling your kids mom just doesn’t have the money this year and I have been blessed with children that understand, although you could see it in their face of disappointment. I had to tell my two youngest Santa wasn’t real so they would understand Christmas morning, it’s just been real heart breaking as a Mom. I was unsure about putting our Christmas tree up or not this year, but decided to go ahead anyway to celebrate the birth of Christ. we are lucky to have a roof over our heads and food, but as a child I’m sure they look forward to gifts as we all did as children. It seems a lot of Families are in need not just mine so I will remain humble and God bless everyone through their situations, Happy Holidays.
I would like to nominate my Son’s family. He lost his job and is working very hard to find another. He’s filling out his background for one and won’t receive a check til well after Christmas. His son is almost 4 and this will be their first Christmas he can really remember. We are just now teaching him about Santa Clause and he’s very excited about leaving cookies and getting presents. He just wrote Santa his first letter at Macy’s. I know it would mean a whole lot to their whole family.
Sincerely,
Kristina
I nominated my own family for this but I dont see my comment any more did I do something wrong? Please let me know so I can post it right as we really really can use this help.
I would like to nominate my 2 beautiful daughters. I am a single mom who is very greatful for my children one 3 the ohter 15 months and they didn’t ask to be brought into this world but i am glad there here. The only thing i am having a problem with this yeat is Chtistmas. I will not be able to get them any presents i get no assisance in housing or food for my family and i work very hard to keep a roof over our head and food in there bellies and there is no additional money for christmas this year and my 3 year old understands Santa and he brings presents to all the good boys and girls and i really don’t want to disappoint them both but mostly the 3 year old and i’m afraid thats whats going to happen. If there is help out there my 2 girls and i would greatly apreciate it and if there isn’t we will still apreciate it because we are glad to have eachother. There is so much love between my two girls and me that it could make the world go round. Anyway i hope everyone out there has a wonderful christmas and remembers the true meaning of Christmas thanks very much. The Mahans
My family and are having a real hard time this year because most are disabled and unable to work any more like myself we live two family too a house just to get by every month by the blessing of god we makes it we have four kids in this house and three girls one boy and we need help for chr istmas thank you for taking time to read my cry for help.
I want to nominate my family for this, I am a mother of 5 wonderful children, recently we lost everything we had due to domestic violence, we were able to flee with just the clothes we were wearing. We moved into a d.v. shelter out of town where we stood for 2 month as it was a 8 week program. Two of my kids had birthdays during this time and I could do nothing for them as I was not working. We finally moved back in town and lived in transitional shelters and with my daughter but that wasn’t working either. I finally found a job and got a place with my cousin and his room mate (as there is no way i can afford a place by myself @ this time) Things are going good my kids are finally in a stable home and going back to school. This christmas will be like many others because when we were with our abuser we weren’t allowed to have “fun” he would give my kids books and say “thats your present”. So you see why I would really love for them to be nominated for this as they never really had a “christmas”. Please consider them for the under the tree program. thanks
I would like to nominate my family. My husband and I have 3 wonderful kids boy 25, boy 20, and girl 17. I know they are the younger ones but they really haven’t had christmas in the past as well but we had maybe a little something and we live with my mother. Then this past july my husband lost his job and he has medical problems so we can’t find another job and we won’t be able to afford christmas this year. plus it’s my daughters senior year and I want to make this year special for my family because she will be heading off to college, hopefully if we have the money next fall. Please help us!
hello, we have a family at our church that consists of a mom a set of 3 year old boy, girl twins and an older brother 10 years old. They are currently living in a shelter until jan.1 then they have no where else to go. The mom can not find a job. please consider them for your a give-away. If nothing else keep them in your prayers.
thanks so much
hello i have a 8 year old son and a 9 year old son. we have a small income we try to give our kids what we can. we had a house fire last year and still trying to rebuild what burned. need help this year to get them something for christmas. dont want anything for myself or my husband would just like some help for my two sons. if anyone could help thank you very much.
After reading some of the above I feel bad asking for help for my family. We are a family of 6, kids ages boy 17, 3 girls’ ages 15, 12 and 9 and are struggling as well due to the economy. I recently went back to work because my husband lost hours w/ his construction job. I have been a stay at home mom for 8 years and now am thrown right back in. We are about to lose our home and are struggling just to keep it and our utilities up ( all being paid at shut off dates ). I’m afraid there won’t be a Christmas here at all. I have been trying to save up to do it, but just can’t. Thank you for your consideration and good luck and God Bless to all. Have a Merry Christmas and a Better New Year!
will you announce when the families have been chosen??
My name is Sonja and I am 23 years old. I live in Fairmont, North Carolina. I am a single mother of 3, one 6 year old boy and 2 daughters at the ages of 2 (birthday December 3) and 3. This year has not been so well. I have been without a vehicle and without a job. I get little help from the government. I want to nominate my family because I feel like my children deserve to have a good christmas. My son is 6 and he knows what christmas is all about and he wants so bad to be able to open up presents on this day. I just need a little help this year for them. I would like to see them happy. Every little bit helps and we will be so grateful if you choose our family. Thanks for caring.
Hello, im anonymous of course,
but i would like to nominate a really great terrific family of 7. A little 1 year old boy, a 12 year old girl, a 17 year old boy, a 7 year old girl, a 15 year old girl, a 11 year old girl, and a 5 year old girl from preschool. I would like to nominate them they are really in nned . This woman is rasing them on her own and cant afford the money to buy all of them but one present no oje else will please nominate them!
gee does anyone know who won this contest??? just curious
12 Trackbacks
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