For many, the winter holidays bring a sense of gratitude. Some may choose to act upon these feelings and help others who may be less fortunate than themselves, and as a result, donations tend to increase during the winter months. This year, the Salvation Army’s gift-giving program, known as Angel Trees, has become a viral trend, particularly on TikTok.
Starting around early November, many influencers and creators have been videoing their hauls when shopping for Angel Trees. Influencer Serena Neel has had numerous videos about the program that have gone viral, which kick-started the trend. One of Neel’s most popular Angel Tree videos documented her purchase of a calico cat for a child whose support pet had recently passed away. With over 6.9 million followers, Neel’s influence and dedication to the program prompted others to participate.
Some West High students have participated in the program, such as senior Grace Vignato. Opinions on the trend vary, but Vignato holds a more positive viewpoint. “Honestly, I think it’s a great thing, purely because that’s what inspired me to do it. It was watching some creators [get gifts], because I didn’t realize Angel Tree was a thing that happened, and so by seeing it on social media, that’s what introduced it to me,” Vignato said.
Vignato had also participated in Operation Christmas, another charity, in prior years. However, Vignato mentioned that the Angel Trees program provided a greater sense of community since the gifts were given to locals, while Operation Christmas sends gifts to different countries.
Along with donating to charities, Vignato volunteers at Iowa City Catholic Worker, a homeless shelter and safe house for refugees and immigrants. She recommends joining the program to anyone who wants to volunteer and potentially reinforce their language skills, such as Spanish or French.
“They’re always looking for more volunteers, so if anyone ever wants to volunteer there, it’s a great way to practice your Spanish,” Vignato said. She also volunteers at Slaughter 2 Success, a program to save horses from being slaughtered and instead rehoming them.
Vignato’s first experience with Angel Trees was a positive one. “If I’m in a financial position to do it, I will do it again. If I’m able to, I’d probably continue this during college. It was really fun to shop for this kid…I feel like I was shopping for my inner child because I chose a girl that [was like me] when I was little,” Vignato said.
Similarly to Vignato, sophomore Davis Day also views the trend in a positive light. “I think during the holidays, a trend that’s all about giving back, especially the people that are extra fortunate giving back to those that are less fortunate, is something that should be promoted on the internet more often,” Day said.
To him, the holidays are all about giving back and being grateful for what you have. “I think the holidays are all about simultaneously being grateful for what you have and also giving back to others, kind of finding that balance…if you’re fortunate enough to be able to do so much for someone else, then I think you should absolutely do it,” Day said.
Similarly to Day, Haley DeMeulenaere ’28 also believes in giving back during the holiday season.
DeMeulenare also participates in numerous programs, such as donating to food pantries and animal shelters, to give back to the community. “Go to your local food pantry [and] animal shelter…see if they need anything this holiday season, and see if you can help them out, because it’s always nice to give back to your community,” DeMeulenare said.
The trend of Angel Trees has also sparked much controversy. Creators who have posted videos of fewer gifts than others have faced backlash. Unlike Vignato and Day, DeMeulenaere also experiences fears with the trend. “I worry that, with it becoming a trend, people are underestimating the impact that it has and not taking into account what they’re doing for the community, [but] rather doing it for clout, without that good intention behind it anymore,” DeMeulenaere said.
For the most part, however, DeMeulenaere does believe the program itself is good. “I think it brings so much joy to people’s lives. To know that you have somebody out there that may not know you, but cares about you and cares about how you’re feeling in the holiday season, that can mean a lot. Just to know that people you know value and cherish you for who you are, no matter what your financial situation is, I think that it’s a wonderful feeling to have,” DeMeulenaere said.
