If you have ever wondered how to help foster kids during the holidays, you are not alone. The season that brings most families together can be one of the hardest times of year for a child living away from home. The good news: you do not need to be a foster parent to make a real difference.
Gifted Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with Maryvale, Los Angeles County’s oldest children’s charity, to bring gifts and celebrations to children and families every quarter. Here are nine meaningful ways you can help this season, and a few things to keep in mind so your kindness lands the way you intend.
In This Article
Why the Holidays Can Be Hard for Kids in Foster Care
For a child in foster care, the holidays often bring up what is missing: time with parents and siblings, familiar traditions, or a home they have lived in for more than a few months. Some children move placements during the year and celebrate with people they have only just met.
The need is close to home. As of December 31, 2025, Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services reported 9,787 children in out-of-home care, and more than 18,000 children receiving child welfare services in total.
9 Ways to Help Foster Kids During the Holidays
1. Fulfil a Child’s Holiday Wish
Many organizations collect wish lists from the children they serve. Gifted Angels builds an Amazon Charity Wishlist with Maryvale each December, so you can buy a specific gift that a child or mother actually asked for. See more places to donate toys in Los Angeles.
2. Remember the Teenagers
Teens are often overlooked in holiday drives because toys do not fit them. Gift cards, headphones, grooming kits, journals and sports gear let older kids choose something for themselves, which matters when so many decisions are made for them.
3. Give to an Organization That Shows Up All Year
A donation to a trusted nonprofit can cover what individual gifts cannot: food, transport, activities and the small extras that make a celebration feel special. Look for organizations that are transparent about where your money goes. At Gifted Angels, 100% of proceeds are donated directly to the children and families we serve.
4. Give an Experience
Tickets to a show, a day at a museum or a family outing can create a memory that lasts longer than a toy. Ask the agency or nonprofit first, since outings for children in care usually need to be arranged by their caregivers.
5. Volunteer at a Holiday Event
Wrapping gifts, running a craft table or helping with an egg hunt gives children what they need most: adults who are present and kind. Gifted Angels volunteers join every celebration at Maryvale. Sign up to volunteer.
6. Support Resource Families
Foster and kinship caregivers, called resource families in California, often take in children at short notice. A meal delivery, a grocery gift card or an offer to help with errands can ease a stressful season for the whole household.
7. Become a Mentor or Advocate
If you can give time beyond the holidays, consider training as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). CASA volunteers are matched with a child in the foster care system and stay with them through their case, often for years.
8. Consider Becoming a Resource Family
Los Angeles County is always looking for safe, loving homes, including short-term and respite care. The Department of Children and Family Services can walk you through what it involves, with no obligation to commit.
9. Keep Showing Up After the Holidays
Children in care often experience a burst of attention in December and then very little the rest of the year. Consistency is one of the best gifts you can give. That is why Gifted Angels returns to Maryvale every quarter, from our holiday gift drive to our Easter celebration.
Do’s and Don’ts When Helping Children in Care
- Do ask the organization what is needed instead of guessing.
- Do keep gifts equal in value when giving to a group, so no child feels left out.
- Do include gifts for parents and caregivers when you can.
- Don’t post photos or identifying details of children in care online. Their privacy is protected for good reason.
- Don’t ask children about their story or why they are in care. Let them simply enjoy the day.
- Don’t make promises you cannot keep, like visiting again, unless you plan to follow through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give gifts directly to a foster child?
Usually not directly. For privacy and safety, gifts are typically collected by a nonprofit, agency or the child’s caregiver, then passed on. Giving through an established drive is the easiest way to make sure your gift reaches a child.
What do foster kids want for Christmas?
The same things any child wants: something fun, something that feels like theirs, and attention from people who care. Practical items like pajamas, a backpack or a gift card are often just as welcome as toys.
How can I help foster kids if I cannot afford gifts?
Volunteer your time, share a holiday drive with friends, or offer practical help to a resource family. Sharing a post like this one costs nothing and can bring in donors you would never reach on your own.
Help Make This Holiday Season Brighter
Every child deserves to feel celebrated, especially during the holidays. If you would like to help foster kids during the holidays through Gifted Angels, you can shop our wishlist, make a donation or join us as a volunteer. Together, we can make sure the children of Maryvale know they are seen, valued and loved.
