I think it is very important to teach our children how to share and love on those that are less fortunate than us. One way that I do this is by participating in Operation Christmas Child.
Each Christmas, we pack boxes for boys and girls and donate them to Operation Christmas Child. OCC takes our boxes and distributes them to children in developing countries (last year our boxes went to Ethiopia!). These children walk for miles to the drop off locations to pick up their boxes. My kids love knowing that they are making an impact on a child on the other side of the world!
This year we will be packing 8 boxes. 4 for girls and 4 for boys. The first box we put together is for a girl between the ages of 5-8. Here’s what we included:
- Pair of flip flops
- Stuffed animal
- Sunglasses
- Bracelets
- Kleenex
- Play Pack
- Stickers
- Lip gloss
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Hairbows
- Hard candy
- Crayons
- Necklace and Bracelet
- Drawing Pad
- Dora Stickers
We will pay $7 on the Operation Christmas Child website to cover their shipping costs (that is the fee per box; so for 8 boxes we will pay $56). In return, we get a unique barcode that is put on our box and they will email us to let us know where it ends up! You do not get to track your box unless you pay online.
We will also include a photo of my kids and they love to fill out the Coloring Page sheet available here. It lets the child that receives the box know a little bit more about the people in America who care about them.
Want to participate? Here’s what you need to know
Get a shoe box, hard plastic shoe box sized container or one of Operation Christmas Child’s boxes and start packing it with items you have that would be age appropriate for the following age groups:
- 2-4 Girl
- 2-4 Boy
- 5-9 Girl
- 5-9 Boy
- 10-14 Girl
- 10-14 Boy
Here are a few ideas on what you could include in your box:
- Crayons or markers
- Coloring book
- Stickers
- Small toys
- Doll
- Stuffed Animal
- Balls
- Jacks
- Hard Candy (nothing that can melt!)
- Hygiene items (we always include a toothbrush, toothpaste and hairbrush/comb)
Once you have your items together, check for a Drop-Off location near you by visiting OperationChristmasChild.com. If you want to know where your box ends up, you will need to pay the $7 on the Operation Christmas Child website to cover their shipping costs. If you don’t care to know, you can just put a $7 check with your box when you drop it off.
And that is all there is to it! It’s a simple and easy way to make an impact on child half a world away.
Every year my kids use their own allowance money and we go to the dollar store to buy gifts for everyone in the family. On X-mas eve, they are the first ones handing out the gifts to see the reaction on everyones face first before opening their own. I can not wait to start this tradition with my children. They always see me giving me items from my stockpile away to family and friends who need it but this just shows the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for posting this!
Do you think the small “party favor” size containers of Play-Doh would be ok to send?
I think those should be fine!
My church does this every year. Wasn’t sure if someone mentioned this yet but someone I know that goes on a mission trip every year over seas said to use the plastic shoe containers (they go clearance at the change of the seasons at target) and they can repurpose those containers for carrying water. Such a wonderful way to pay it forward!!
That’s a really great idea!
Thank you so much for doing this. My church is a national collection site and we always gather things throughout the year or we get nice donations of items. Our goal this year is 250 boxes and we will have a huge boxing party. I love the idea of helping other kids get a chance of experiencing Christmas! Thank you for promoting such a good cause! I thought these were cute…Bob Siemon Designs have braceletes and necklaces on sale and for each one sold they are donating to OCC to be put into shoe boxes. Here is the site: http://www.bobsiemon.com/Category/154-operation-christmas-child.aspx
Yes, it is $7 per box. Don’t forget school supplies! A missionary from OCC spoke at our church and said that in some countries, school is free but you must supply your own pencils and paper. He was unable to attend school until he received an OCC box that contained pencils and paper!
We like to pack boxes for the older kids and include shorts, flip flops, t-shirts, sun visor, plastic cup, travel sized deodorant, bar soap, wash cloth, spiral notebook (Target for 17 cents each), pencils & erasers, hair accessories, etc.
Tips:
no toys guns or war themed items (toy soldiers, water pistols, etc.)
nothing that will melt or is liquid
no pig themed items – in some countries pigs are viewed differently, so our church advises not to pack these items so as not to offend the recipient.
don’t overstuff your box! The boxes pack better in the cartons for shipping when they are not overstuffed.
My mom has been on multiple mission trips to Africa and she happened to be in Africa when the kids received the boxes (in July) and they were thrilled with the boxes! She said it was amazing to see the reactions of the kids. P.S. I believe it is $7 per box to ship (per directions from her church).
HOW COOL!!!!!! I bet that was an amazing experience.
Thanks for including this. I love being able to help out less fortunate people with items I’ve gotten free because of couponing. I also love finding ways to teach my daughter to be giving and compassionate for other people. :0)
This is our first year doing it. Since I haven’t really planned for it we are going to raid our house before we shop. Our plan is a girl 2-4 and spend less than $20. My girls asked me to make a dress for our girl. I am glad my girls are excited about giving. Thanks for the tip about paying online to track our box!
How cool! I would love to see your box when you finish!
I have been saving items all year for my boxes too. I get my son involved in the activity. He loved seeing where our boxes went last year.
Is it $7 for one shoe box, so you will have to pay $56 to send eight boxes? Just checking =)
It’s just $7 per box, sorry I worded it funny. Here is what the site says “By making your donation online using a credit or debit card you will receive a special shoe box label included in your e-mail receipt. Print or copy the label as many times as you need to attach to each of your boxes.” :)
Hi, on the website it says “Please donate $7 or more for “each” shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs” The way I read it was that you copy or print the label that tracks the box as many times as you like but you still need to pay $7 per box??
We did this last year, and we paid $7 per box (we donated 4, so we paid $28). The website is pretty specific that it $7 per box. They said that’s what it costs them to get each box to a child. My kids thought it was a great project and want to do it again this year!
I just wanted to thank you for drawing attention to this. My family has done Operation Christmas Child in the past; but because of your blog, this year we saved little toys all year long. Most of them we got for free or really cheap, which means we can fill more boxes for the same amount of money! My kids have gotten into it, too. Now whenever they get little toys at a carnival or the dentist’s or wherever, they are careful to keep them new-in-the-wrapper so they can give them to Operation Christmas Child.
That is so awesome!! I am so glad to hear this. :) I love this organization and I love making an impact. What a great idea!