What was supposed to be a heartwarming Angel Tree unboxing quickly turned into a comments-section bloodbath. A mom went viral after filming her kids opening donated Christmas gifts, but the video derails the instant her son clocked the Skechers logo and decided ‘absolutely not.’
There are side-eyes at the Barbie dolls, an outright shoe rejection, and even slapping the pair of jeans out of the mom’s hands. This is where TikTok wasted no time weighing in on gratitude, parenting, and why maybe some moments don’t need to be content.
What is the Angel Tree Program?
Before we dive in, it’s important to know how the entire program works. As many know, the holidays are a tough time for low-income families who cannot provide gifts for their children. This is where the Angel Tree Program came to exist. Started way back in 1979, the program is “a holiday assistance program in which an individual or group sponsors a child ‘Angel’ and purchases new toys, clothing, shoes, or gift cards for children ages 0-12.” The Mary Sue has covered similar stories concerning Angel Tree, like the time a sponsor was flamed on TikTok because she got only “cheap” gifts for her ‘Angel.’
This particular case, however, deals with the Prison Fellowship, a partner to Angel Tree, but for families with incarcerated parents. It is described as “reach[ing] out to the children of prisoners and their families, helping to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through Christ.”
It is relevant to note the importance of “providing Christmas gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated moms and dads.” In that case, it is safe to assume that the children in the TikTok video have an incarcerated parent, making them eligible for Angel Tree. It is also worth noting the importance of religion, as the mom in the video mentions going to church multiple times in the clip.
What Actually Happened While Unwrapping?
Mookie (@justMookiiee), who is the mom in the video, has already gained 1.6 million views and over 4,500 comments. The clip is a minute and 20 seconds long, with a preface from the mother at the beginning.
She starts, “The kids, I let them open up the gifts they got from Angel Tree for incarcerated parents. So, this is what they received. I told them to be thankful caz they ain’t have to get nothing.” The video then cuts to the kids, one boy and one girl, holding up their gifts.
They start with the typical child-like excitement, shouting, “We got our presents!” The mom tells them to unwrap it, and the girl is quicker to tear the paper as the boy struggles with the ribbon. Her first box–out of two that are attached together–is revealed. She side-eyes the mom and says, “A white Barbie doll.”
The brother laughs at her. As the girl unwraps her second box, which turns out to be more Barbie dolls, the boy finally removes the wrapping from his gift. It is a shoebox from the brand Skechers. The mom takes the box and says, “You got some sports Skechers.” The boy’s face completely changes as he starts looking unenthused. The mom is removing the tape, and the boy says, “I’m not wearing Skechers.” The mom then replies, “These are comfortable, boy, what you talkin’ bout?”
The Boy is Not Happy
As the mom does what’s left of the unboxing, the boy grabs one of the Barbie doll boxes from his sister and says, “I need a new toy, this is mine.” The sister takes it away from him as the mother pulls out a pair of jeans from the box. She notes this verbally, and the sister laughs at the brother in the background. The mom says he’ll “use it for church in the morning” and holds it up in front of him. The boy promptly slaps it out of her hands and it lands on the floor. He says, “get the [expletive] outta here.”
Next, he puts his head in his hands, and the mom pulls out the tennis shoes. She repeats that he can wear this to church in the morning. His reply: “I ain’t wearin’ those.” The mom then holds up the shoes to the camera and shows an all-black Skechers tennis shoe. The mom calls it “crispy,” and the boy simply repeats, “I ain’t wearin’ those.”
@justmookiiee Angel tree program from incarcerated parents #angeltreeprogram #angeltree #incarceratedlivesmatter #fyp ♬ original sound – JustMookiiee
The Comments Section is a Battling Ground
Viewers are not holding back with their opinions. While most make sure to comment on how ungrateful the boy is, others also take his side. One viewer says, “Ungrateful at its finest.” Another adds, “Well…you didn’t teach them very well that’s sad.” Mookie replies, “They are still growing lots to learn.”
A viewer shares another perspective: “I’m a huge angel tree supporter and this doesn’t upset me in the least. Kids like toys. Clothes aren’t exciting.” Another says in the same sentiment, writing, “I think he was hoping for a toy instead of shoes. I don’t think he was ungrateful; I believe he was just upset because he wanted a toy like his sister.”
However, viewers clapped back: “People saying his reaction is warranted, no. He can express disappointment without being rude. This is the problem. We are not teaching children gratitude. Those shoes cost 45.00 at target plus the jeans.”
One viewer simply says, “I never would have posted this.” To which Mookie replies, “Why not?”
Several others, however, pointed out that branding is significant for a boy his age. As one user put it, “Teacher here- I get why he wouldn’t wear sketchers. Kids can be so mean to each other.”
Gen Alpha and overconsumption
Indeed, in the age of Stanley Cups, Labubus, and general overconsumerism, kids take brand-name stuff seriously. In an article by Common Sense Media, research breaks out the psychology of Gen Alpha.
“Trending products are creating potential for bullying and exclusion,” the article states. “The age-old pressure to fit in is compounded by the growing list of products that kids feel they need to be cool and connect with their peers.”
It continues, “Viral products like these can create a ‘social hierarchy’ in middle and even elementary schools. One adult shared that her ’11-year-old niece was bullied by her classmates for bringing an off-brand version of the Stanley cup.’ The overwhelming pressure and popularity of these brands are persuading kids that without these exact branded products, their social lives will suffer.”
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via email.
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