Costume jewelry and hair bows; a Spiderman robe and pajama set; a winter coat and books; T-shirts, undershirts and socks — these are just a few items listed on local children’s Christmas wish lists at the Beaufort/Hyde Partnership for Children.

In its third year, the PAT angel tree held 58 “ornaments” this year — colorful cardboard mini-lists for children enrolled in the Partnership’s “Parents as Teachers” program. Some list what the children want for Christmas; other lists are limited to what they need. Nearly all the children on the angel tree are underprivileged and come Christmastime, those at the Partnership step in to make sure they don’t go without.

“Our families — most of our families — are low-income,” said Jackie Boyd, parent educator supervisor. “It’s just a way to be supportive of them. We all want to give our children so much, but some of our families are worrying about putting food on the table.”

The support comes from those in the partnership’s office, its board members and the greater community, from banks, churches, realty companies and individuals who have sponsored a child’s Christmas in the past. The “angels” range in age from infant to 11 years old and include the siblings of those enrolled in the PAT program. Each ornament gives the age and sex of the child and a three-item wish list, and each family enrolled must not be participating in similar programs like Toys for Tots or the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. Sponsors choose an angel, shop for the child, then deliver the (wrapped or unwrapped) gifts back to the Partnership for Children’s office in Washington by Dec. 1. So far, 32 angels have been sponsored; 26 more need sponsors of their own, according to Boyd.

Boyd said sponsors aren’t required to go overboard with shopping, nor are they required to buy everything on the lists — $50 is the recommended spending amount per child.

“We have some very practical wishes on the tree this year,” Boyd said.

For anyone who doesn’t have the time or energy to shop, but want to help, another option is to simply donate to the program and Boyd will do the shopping for the child.

“Some people just want to help and that’s great,” Boyd said. “We’re happy to get any donations.”

For more information about the PAT angel tree program or to sponsor an angel, contact Jackie Boyd at 252-975-4647 ext. 6, or email Jackie@beaufortcountykids.org.