Instead of buying gifts for each other, a bunch of us toss $50 each into a bucket and then adopt a needy family from a local school district. One of us coordinates with the family as to their needs/wants and then we shop. The fun part is in the delivery! We wrap (and wrap) and have Santa deliver the gifts. It is a sight to see the eyes light up when Santa enters with a big red bag stuffed with gifts. We also make sure they have food stuffs for a Christmas dinner and then some.
I need some new ideas for gifts! The family usually has several children and usually a single parent.

This is a great thing that you're doing. We did the same thing at one of the schools I worked at. We had a large staff and we ended up doing 3 families last year. Doesn't it give you such a nice warm fuzzy feeling? We did all the wrapping at our staff meeting and had a blast.

What about gift certificates to a nearby restaurant or to a movie? I think that would be a real nice treat.

My kids loved getting McDonald bucks...they could go in and get a cone or fries and then play on the play equipment..Mom can have a coffee and a break, too.

School supplies are often running low by Christmas time. Books are always a good idea for kids. When you are buying food items, you might consider paper products and/or cleaning supplies. Here in IL you can't buy that with a Link card (food stamps.)

One year we were given gift cards to a local indoor pool and got to have our own little mid-winter pool party, the kids had a blast. How about an I Spy quilt?

Gift cards---you have no idea what they really need. This way they could pick out exactly what they want.

as a single mother I want to say this touches my heart to see ya'll doing this for another single mother. I have two kiddos so I can offer some toy advice ... board games like guess who, connect four or aggravation all ages will play, puzzles are great, play dough with cookie cutters entertain for hours around my house, coloring books with crayons are great, simple card games like crazy 8s or uno are good too several can play at once. construciton paper, drawing supplies, glue, glitter and scissors for paper crafts. sun catchers and paintable simple shapes in the craft supply area are good too.
fun toothbrushes, yoyos and slinkies make great stocking stuffer items.
hope this helps ...

I agree with scrappy quilter, the list she had is great. I'll add for tween girls bath and body things, bubble bath, scented shampoo and soap. Those in a theme scent thrill young ones on limited budgets. Fancy combs and brushes add to the special feel. Teen girls even a bit more towards make up sets, those afraid to buy makeup because of not knowing color preference could try makeup brushes etc.. Those aren't necessities and are not gotten much. Having raised my two myself, I remember what it was like. Thankfully I had parents to help me. This is a wonderful thing you are doing.

Having been there myself in the years past I can say the things that kill you at the grocery store (for mom.. cleaning supplies etc are budget breakers every single time.. talk about cringing when you have to buy laundry soap.. and toothpaste and 409 all in one week. It is enough to make you want to cry).. for the kids that list was great. They love games. And can be used by the family not just one kid, interactive..art supplies things that get used again and again. Tween years? lotions was right on, they all like to smell like candy (my girl did) and boys want to smell more grown up too.. I would check out the kids where your gifting.. what is the "it" item.. skateboard shirts? Hurley written on them? maybe one cool item is so much better than ten average ones... the McDonald cards NEVER go out of style with kids. Your someones true angel. That mom is probably really under a lot of stress and your relieving some of it. That is a super gift.