More Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ideas
/I had to add “more” to this title because I blogged about this in the past and couldn’t come up with anything more creative. Actually, I planned on blogging about this every year, but every November comes and we are busy and the lighting stinks for taking pictures. Even now you might have already finished your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, but it is National Collection Week in the US so I am going to blog about this anyway.
I guess I am assuming that you know what Operation Christmas Child is all about. If you have never heard of it, you can click HERE to learn more. Basically, you pack a shoebox full of gifts for a child that would not otherwise receive a Christmas gift and they are sent to places all over the world.
It is hard to know what to pack in the shoeboxes sometimes. I think that as long as you are giving with the right attitude, sending the best that you can, and praying for the recipient- God will take care of the rest. I am always amazed by the countless stories of children opening a shoebox to find exactly what they had prayed for.
That being said, I still love when people share ideas for shoebox packing! So, I am going to do the same…
2-4yo Boys
I like to send some clothing items in the shoeboxes. No, I don’t know the recipient’s size. I generally aim for the top end of the age range and just trust that God will deliver it to someone who can use it. The size 4/5 shirt and shorts in this box were only $1 each on clearance at Walmart!
2-4yo girls
I had enough fabric to make two of these peasant dresses and just felt led to include both in this box. (You can get the free tutorial and instructions for the peasant dresses HERE.) My mom also crocheted the little soap sack. We include a few handmade items each year. My kids also like to make Altoid tin playsets for their shoeboxes.
My kids each pack a shoebox, choosing the items, shopping for extras, writing letters, and crafting. If we include dresses, my daughters pick the fabric. For this one I decided to use my bow tutorial (HERE) to add a cute fabric bow to the front. I also make them with grosgrain ribbon bows sometimes.
We also send socks and underwear in the shoeboxes. It is something that we joke about here: “When you grow up you get socks and underwear for Christmas!” but we really take those things for granted. Think about it.
5-9yo girls
Sometimes we include plastic water bottles in the shoeboxes. An added bonus with those is that you can use the bottle to store smaller items.
10-14yo boys
We always try to pack some shoeboxes for the 10 to 14yo boy group because they consistently receive the least boxes. Let’s face it- that group is more challenging. I never knew what to buy my own son at that age, let alone a stranger!
Have you noticed that we like to include fleece blankets? We get them at Walmart for $2.50 and my daughters like choosing from the fun designs. They do take up a lot of room, but if you open them up, reroll more tightly, and hold them in place with rubber bands they compress quite a bit.
Here are a few other things that we do to pack better shoeboxes:
We remove as much packaging as possible. Otherwise we are sending garbage that they may not have means to dispose of. Plus, we can fit more in the shoebox.
I stock up on clearance items throughout the year. I keep a tote in the shed and add bargains as I find them. My mom does the same. Shoeboxes are a year-round, group effort!
School supplies are cheapest in August. (Or September if you are able to find them on clearance, but that can be hit or miss.)
Sunglasses are fun to send! We wrap them in the washcloth to keep them from getting scratched against the other items in the box.
If we use a clear plastic shoebox, we line it with a fun bandana so that the contents are still a surprise!
Do you have any good shoebox packing tips or ideas?
These posts may also be helpful…
