So I have mentioned this a few times recently and wanted to just remind you of this very worthy charity and also give some tips on inexpensive items available right now.
If you are not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, it is a charitable organization that provides little shoeboxes of gifts to children in need to war torn countries around the world.
You simply pack a shoebox with items a child might want or need and then you print off a label and you can track exactly where your box goes. You can choose a gender and an age range for your box and inside you put items that would be appropriate.
Now you will need to pay shipping fees for each shoebox which are $7.00. You write a check and include that with your box.
There are a few very important things to note before you get to packing a box. The first is that nothing liquid or breakable can go in the boxes (so skip the little nail polishes and things like that.) You can wrap a shoebox but make sure the lid is wrapped separately so that the people at the processing centers can see everything you have included. You also want to avoid anything that might be violent- so no little action figures, guns- etc.. etc.. You can include candy but try to avoid anything that might not hold up in transit like chocolate. They prefer that you not include food with your boxes.
Also, remember if you include a flashlight you also want batteries. If you include pencils, you also want to get a sharpener for them. I try to mix up practical items with fun items for our shoeboxes.
If you are interested in learning more just click below…
Here is what I have for my boxes this year. We do 3 boxes, one from each of my girls and then I do one in my MOPS group.
I prefer to buy the little tupperware storage containers because those can be handy for the child to keep reusing. I tend to buy little things all year and set them aside. That keeps the cost incredibly low for the contents of these boxes.
This year here is what I have:
I chose little girls aged 2-4 and one for a 5-9 year old for my boxes since I have little ladies in that age range.
Box #1:
- Tupperware Container (shoebox size) $1.00 (Dollar store)
- Minnie Mouse Jumprope $1.00 (Dollar store)
- Blow Pops $.74 (for an entire bag- Halloween candy clearance)
- Hot Wheels FREE (there was a coupon that made these free awhile back)
- Bar Soap FREE (These used to be free with coupons)
- Barbie Toothbrush FREE with coupons
- Toothpaste sample that was free in the mail
- Winnie the Pooh Socks, Hello Kitty Pencils, Crayons, and Coloring Book $.25 per item in the Target Dollar Spot clearance
- Barbie Doll $1.19 on Halloween clearance at Target
- Fuzzy feather ink pen $1 (Dollar Store)
- Little heart bracelets $.74 on clearance for 3 at Target (this is a good tip- keep an eye on the party supply areas. Party favors make great donations and you can just divide them up amongst a few boxes)
- Aveeno Body Wash- free sample
- Smurf toy- (from a Happy Meal!)
- Long sleeve shirt from Target $2.84 with a coupon
- Barbie $1.19 on clearance
- Coloring Books, Activity Books, Crayons, socks $.25 each at Target Dollar spot
- Toothpaste- free samples
- Barbie toothbrushes- free with coupons
- 2 Fuzzy pens $1 each at Dollar Store
- 2 Jump ropes $1 at Dollar Store
- Lotions, soaps- free with coupons
- Stuffed bear $.49 at Target Halloween clearance
- 2 long sleeve shirts $$2.84 at Target with coupon
- Hot Wheels- Free with coupon
- and last a little Elmo and Cookie Monster toy that was free in a gift bag we received
- Disney Princess blanket $2.98- this was actually free for me because I had a free gift card from Recyclebank
Plus I have the bracelets from above and the candy to include as well. The total including the containers is $14.61 for both boxes.
I think just shopping those 70 or 75% off sales year round at the Target Dollar Spot and you can basically get everything you can need for these boxes for just a few dollars.
Anyway that is the scoop and you can get all the information you need from Operation Christmas Child. Note the deadline to drop off boxes is next week, Nov 14-21.
You can see the boxes we did last year here. We wrapped a few of the items last year and then they had to get unwrapped when we dropped them off so don’t do that. You can put them in clear baggies with little stickers and things to get the kids more involved.
I will have the latest Shop for Free list for Target and Walmart posted tomorrow morning. That would be a great place to check for a bunch of items you can include in your boxes. You certainly don’t need to buy Barbies and things for your boxes- my kids are just as excited about a box of bandaids and a bright pink toothbrush as they are with real toys.
Those are awesome boxes! I want to do this next year. 🙂
If you don’t want to do a box, but have things to give, check out your local high school key club. Many key clubs or service groups do these as well. I took two bags of stuff to my mom’s school and it only cost me about $5.
Emily those activity books were Christmas theme from my shopping Dollar Spot clearance last year 🙂 it is easy to start tucking little things away now and you will have a ton by next year.
You make it look so easy Charlene – I am inspired! This really is a great post. Definitely going to make this a goal for next year. Thank you! 🙂
Our family is putting our boxes together too. We use Dollar Tree for a lot of things but need to keep it in mind year round when checking out the Target clearance. You made really nice boxes.
You know Rebecca I found Dollar Tree to be more expensive then Target is except for the tupperware boxes. Thank you 🙂 My girls have been going nuts so I figured it was a good one this year.
You can also pay the $7 shipping online and you print out a barcode to attach to the top of the box. After your box is delivered, you will get an email telling where the box was sent.
There are plenty of kids in the united states who need things. Why waste the $7 for shipping when you can spend the money on actual gifts for kids in your city.
Justin, I think you should do what you like. Many people also donate to Toys 4 Tots. I have personally visited third world countries and witnessed some pretty devastating things myself so I am very happy to spend $7 to brighten the day of a small child. Many of which have never owned a single item of their own. I certainly don’t consider that a waste of money.
Justin – That’s true that there are plenty of kids in the US that need things, but I would imagine that their poverty is nothing compared to some of the kids in third world countries.
I like to mix things up for my kids, so we put together 2 boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and we also donate some toys through Toys 4 Tots.
One thing I do love about the Operation Christmas Child program is that if you pay your $7 online you can see where your box was delivered. I plan on pulling out the map when we find our where our boxes were delivered, and my kids can learn some geography in addition to learning about giving to others in need.
Thanks for this great idea Charlene! Justin – I think that there are lots of opportunities to help children all over the world. Sure, there are kids who need things here, but there are also kids elsewhere who need things too. Charity is helping others in need and not being picky of where they live. Maybe you could just spend $7 less on one of your family members this year to help a child get some thing instead — it isn’t that big of deal. However, if it doesn’t work for you then fine . But I don’t see any reason to complain or tell peple it is a waste of money. As my mom said – can’t say anything nice – keep your mouth shut!
Charlene, I spent today putting together great boxes with my girls! Thank you so much for telling me and others about this! I too know of the horrible conditions the majority of the world lives in. They don’t have the luxuries that we have here. We are so lucky to live in a country where don’t have to worry about our children starving to death. Even when I “feel poor” I just have to listen to the world new and realize how rich I truly am. Thanks again and God bless you!!!!!
You could make a donation online to Operation Christmas Child to help defray some of the cost that they incur with this ministry if you find that it is difficult to put the items together due to time or resources. So you are helping children have a Christmas to!