TikTok creator Emy has caught intense backlash on social media for buying dollar store and off-brand items for a child’s Angel Tree, a tradition that aims to provide gifts to the less fortunate.
Commenters accused the creator of being cheap and self-centered, despite her insisting that she spent well within her church’s suggested budget.
Despite the TikTok creator later addressing the criticism and updating her gifts, the backlash towards her affordable Angel Tree haul has not subsided.
The TikTok creator stated that her gifts fell well within her church’s suggested Angel Tree budget
Image credits: emymcb2
In her original video, the Long Island–based creator explained that she participated in her church’s Angel Tree program and carefully selected gifts for a young girl who wanted items related to “arts, crafts, skincare, and McDonald’s.”
Emy began with a Winter Candy Apple gift set from Bath and Body Works that included body wash, body butter, and lotion. She also picked up face masks from the dollar store, explaining that she personally loves them.
Image credits: emymcb2
Additional items included a paint-by-numbers kit, a dolphin keychain, acne patches she thought would be “fun,” and a drawing pad. She also included off-brand colored pencils, as well as a $15 McDonald’s gift card.
Altogether, she said the total of her Angel Tree gifts came to roughly $65, which she noted fell within her church’s recommended spending range of $50 to $80.
TikTok users did not react kindly to the creator’s haul. As of writing, her initial video has garnered over 550,000 views and thousands of comments, the majority of which were negative.
As criticism mounted, Emy decided to improve some of her gifts by switching the off-brand colored pencils to a Crayola set. She also added some clay, a couple of holiday socks, and some pajamas to her Angel Tree haul.
Netizens harshly criticized the TikTok creator’s gifts because they were too “cheap”
Image credits: emymcb2
As Emy’s video spread, criticism poured in from netizens who argued that Angel Tree gifts should never include dollar store items.
Some commenters stated that donors should spend far more than suggested budgets, as the program was meant for splurging rather than cost-conscious shopping.
Image credits: emymcb2
“Please reconsider ever doing Angel Tree again,” one commenter wrote. “These kids go ALL YEAR with nothing. Dollar Tree is not acceptable.”
Another commenter framed the issue as a matter of responsibility, suggesting Emy should not have participated at all:
“Angel Tree is NOT something you do on a budget, if you can’t afford to spoil these kids, LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT.”
Others took an even sharper tone, questioning whether she should have picked up the Angel Tree tag in the first place.
“As an Angel Tree kid, if you don’t go to the store and buy her real things, just put the d*mn tag back and let someone else,” one person wrote.
Several critics also accused Emy of centering her gifts around her own preferences rather than focusing on what her “angel” might want.
Image credits: emymcb2
This was particularly evident when some commenters suggested that she include Squishmallows in her haul because they are cozy and popular with children.
According to Emy in a follow-up video, she does not really care for Squishmallows, so she got her “angel” some socks instead.
Others pushed back and defended Emy’s approach to Angel Tree giving
Not everyone agreed with the backlash, however. Some netizens also defended the TikTok creator, arguing that the outrage ignored both the program’s intent and the reality of how Angel Tree lists often operate.
Image credits: emymcb2
“What’s wrong with off-brands or cheaper items? Children don’t care about brands or a price tag; they just want the gift,” one commenter wrote.
“I think all the creator needs to do is buy a few more gifts to level it out. But other than that, she’s done perfectly fine.”
Image credits: emymcb2
Another viewer criticized what they saw as unrealistic expectations placed on donors online:
“Because she isn’t spending over $100, people are acting like it isn’t enough. Sure, she could add a couple more things, but the entitlement is unreal. I even saw someone say, ‘If you haven’t spent $150, put the tag back.’”
Image credits: emymcb2
One comment, in particular, resonated with others who said they had firsthand experience with Angel Tree and similar programs:
“These comments are so off. Angel Tree is amazing, and this is actually a really good gift,” the user said.
“It’s not about spending $500 per child. It’s about making sure each kid gets something they asked for and actually needs. Society has genuinely lost the plot, and social media is making it worse.”
The Angel Tree program is aimed at ensuring that even the less fortunate are able to receive gifts during the holidays
The Angel Tree program is designed to ensure that children and seniors in need receive gifts during the holiday season, according to the Daily Dot.
Donors who wish to participate “adopt” an angel by choosing a tag with a wish list. They then purchase the items that their “angels” requested.
Different organizations run variations of the program.
For instance, Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree focuses on children of incarcerated parents, while the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree allows families to register and provide lists that include clothing and toy requests.
Churches, such as Emy’s, also tend to run similar programs as part of their holiday efforts.
Netizens shared their thoughts about the controversy surrounding Emy’s Angel Tree gifts on social media
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