Winter Wishlists, formerly known as Adopt a Family, is back!
We are back for our 29th year to bring holiday joy to nearly 400 children experiencing housing instability by fulfilling their holiday wish lists. This annual gift program helps ease financial stress and help make holiday magic for families in need in our community.
By buying gifts for a family or donating to sponsor list purchases, you help Lydia Place parents and caregivers focus on what matters most; creating lasting holiday memories with their loved ones.
Wish lists are available now, click on the Orange button below to view them!
First time buying gifs for a family with us?
We have you covered! Keep scrolling to view the step-by-step process, guidelines, FAQs, and cost breakdown for gifting to a Lydia Place family.
Not able to fill a wish list but still want to help?
You can make a donation towards a wish list fund here through the button below. If you are browsing through lists, you can find the donation options by scrolling down!
Wish lists available now!
Returning gifters, we are so happy to have you back! Please review the steps below for a refresher on the process. Like last year, Lydia Place is purchasing the Family Activity on your behalf, so all you need to do is complete the online checkout and shop for the items on each kiddo’s wish lists.
A step-by-step overview of the Winter Wishlists Program process
If you have any questions – contact the Winter Wishlists Program Lead
Kayly Rubio (they/them)
Community Involvement Coordinator
360-296-3451 | [email protected]
Step 1: Start getting excited to spread the holiday cheer!
On November 2nd, you will be able to click into the Wish Lists button above to start viewing lists from families to gift to this holiday season. Our families, like yours, come in all sizes. Families are organized by number of children/lists for each family, for ease of sorting through to choose a family to donate to.
For frequently asked questions and a breakdown of the costs associated with donating gifts for a family, click to expand the sections below.
Step 2: What to expect after online process is complete
After you check out a receipt will be emailed to you including links to the detailed wish lists of the family (or families) you chose to gift to. There will also be a PDF linked in your receipt that contains the relevant information given on this website for further reference.
Step 3: Go shopping for wish list items!
Use the wish lists included in the receipt you were emailed and have fun! If you are unsure what gifts to purchase, the Frequently Asked Questions section on this page has some ideas for you.
Step 4: Deliver unwrapped gifts the first week of December to our Winter Wishlists drop-off location.
PLEASE NOTE: IN THE EVENT YOU DO NOT MAKE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH OUR TEAM PRIOR TO THE DROP-OFF DEADLINE, AND DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR FAMILY’S GIFTS BY 5 PM ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, LYDIA PLACE WILL REQUEST PAYMENT FOR THE FULL $100 PER CHILD AGREEMENT SO WE CAN ENSURE THE FAMILY STILL GETS THE GIFTS THEY WERE HOPING TO GET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THANK YOU.
Drop off gifts to Heart House at 1705 Gladstone St. Bellingham, WA
- Friday, December 4th, 10 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday, December 5th, 10 AM – 6 PM
Getting your gifts to families before the holidays is our top priority. With over 150+ families through Whatcom County, it takes some time so please be ready to drop off your items during our drop off days. Our team will be ready to receive your gifts, add the family activity, and the wrapping supplies and prepare them for delivery. Please try your best to meet this deadline as it takes some time for our staff and volunteers to organize and deliver gifts to over 150+ families throughout Whatcom County. We try our best to honor family time not only with our clients, but with your family, and ours.
COST BREAKDOWN BY FAMILY SIZE
1 child family will have a total cost of $150
Which includes $100 in gifts + $50 up-front cost on our website (1 x $25 family activity + $25 wrapping supplies)
2 child family will have total cost of $275
Which includes 2 x $100 gifts + $75 up-front cost on our website (2 x $25 family activity + $25 wrapping supplies)
3 child family will have a total cost of $400
Which includes 3 x $100 gifts + $100 up–front cost on our website (3 x $25 family activity gift + $25 wrapping supplies)
4 child family will have a total cost at $525
Which includes 4 x $100 gifts + $125 up-front cost on our website (4 x $25 family activity gift + $25 wrapping supplies)
5 child family will have a total cost of $650
Which includes 5 x $100 gifts + $150 up-front cost on our website (5 x $25 family activity gift + $25 wrapping supplies)
6 child family will have a total cost of $775
Which includes 6 x $100 gifts + $175 up-front cost on our website (6 x $25 family activity gift + $25 wrapping supplies)
7 child family will have a total cost of $900
Which includes 7 x $100 + $200 up-front cost on our website (7 x $25 family activity gift + $25 wrapping supplies)
8 child family will have a total cost of $1025
Which includes 8 x $100 + $225 up-front cost at time on our website (8 x $25 family activity gift + $25 wrapping supplies)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to buy gifts, or am I done after the web 'purchase'?
This program is intended for you to buy gifts for the family. Think of it as an internal Lydia Place angel tree! The online donation helps us purchase family activities and wrapping paper. If you aren’t able to shop for gifts, donate to our wish list fund, which is used to support families who aren’t shopped for by the community.
What if I have questions about what gifts to buy?
Choosing gifts can be challenging especially when you are purchasing gifts for someone you do not know. Some wish lists can be extremely specific while others are very vague, so we just ask that you use your best judgement. It may be helpful to think about what a child in your family might want or ask other parents or grandparents with children in that age range what they like. We encourage you to have fun with it, no one knows better than our adopters that picking out and giving gifts is just as rewarding as getting them.
What is the family activity?
The family activity is such an impactful aspect of our program because while gifts around the holidays mean a great deal, allowing space for togetherness and the creation of new memories is essential to strengthening family bonds. Further, these activities continue to offer a stronger connection between our clients and the community around them. This year the family activity will be a gift card so each family can choose when and how to celebrate together.
Why don’t we wrap the gifts ourselves?
We all can imagine the excitement around the holidays and the wonder in children’s eyes when opening gifts together. As a parent, getting to see these gifts beforehand and get excited themselves is also such an amazing gift. By allowing parents to wrap these items themselves, they get to be involved and have some ownership of all those warm fuzzy gift-giving feelings awaiting their family.
What happens if I can’t follow through with giving gifts for a family?
Please reach out at as soon as possible to Kayly Rubio, our Community Involvement Coordinator, at 360-485-0833 or at [email protected] before November 21st so we can re-post the family on our website with the hope that someone will be able to gift to them in time.
*If you commit to adopting one of our families and do not drop off your family’s gifts by December 8th or make special arrangements with our team, our agency will charge the credit card on file for the full $100 per child to ensure the family still receives the gifts they were hoping for this holiday season.
CONTACT:
Kayly Rubio (they/them)
Community Involvement Coordinator
360-296-3451 – Please leave a voicemail if I don’t pick up!
kaylyr@lydiaplace.org