Operation Christmas Child..

I stumbled across Operation Christmas Child on Instagram last year and loved the idea so much that I wanted to get involved, I researched into it and packed my first shoe box. It has now become somewhat of a Christmas tradition and I thought I would share it with you..

How to Pack a Shoe Box

To start with all you need is a medium sized shoe box and some Christmas wrapping paper. Attach the appropriate Girl/Boy label to the top of the shoe box, which you can download from the Operation Christmas Child Website. Marking whether the shoe box is for a Girl or a Boy and the age range of the Child. The age categories being 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. I have chosen to fill my shoe box with gifts for a Girl aged between 2-4 years old.

Fill the shoe box with a selection of toys, hygiene items and school supplies. I bought a colouring book, felt tip pens, modelling clay, a drawing board, a doll, a make up set, some fairy wings and hair accessories. I also packed a toothbrush. This year we are not allowed to send toothpaste, so I have edited this out for some soap and a flannel. I think in total, I spent around £12 and I spent the same last year. Its not very expensive, so its easy to get involved. 

Make a suggested donation of £5 which covers costs such as collection of the shoe boxes, processing and shipping. Donate as cash, a cheque or online, which will allow you to Follow Your Box, enabling them to tell you which country your shoe box went to. Enclose cash or a cheque in an envelope inside the shoe box or if donating online, print the barcode and place it inside. I always like to donate online so I can follow my Box, last year my Box went to Ukraine. 

Place a rubber band around your shoe box to keep the contents safe and drop off your shoe box between the 1st-18th November. The nearest drop off points are listed Online from late September. The drop off locations are always a reasonable distance, so easy to get to. 

What to Put In Your Shoe Box

Depending on the age group chosen, I have listed a few gift suggestions for more ideas:

Toys 

Stuffed toy

Musical instrument

Jigsaw puzzle

Skipping rope

Toy figures

School Supplies

Colouring pencils

Watercolour paint set

Stamps and ink pad sets

Craft sets

Pencil case

Hygiene Items

Comb

Hair brush

Bracelets

Sunglasses

Flannel and Soap

Are you involved in any charitable projects? I'd love to hear more about what you are all involved in.