There they are! All 6 boxes packed and shipped for $61.78! My goal was $60 for all of them so I think I did great! $60 sounds like a lot, but it costs $7 per box for shipping. So after shipping, I only spent $19.78 on everything you see in the boxes!
OH! And I wanted to include a picture and a letter in each box and late last night I remember the bazillion photo Christmas cards left over from last year! Perfect! I wrote a message on the back of each photo card and put it in an envelope and placed it inside each box! What a great use for those cards that I had nothing else to do with! The picture is a little outdated but that’s ok!
Here are a few things that I did (and like to do every time I pack OCC shoeboxes!)
- Every box gets basic toiletries (soap, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush/comb)
- Every younger child (2-4 and 5-9) gets a stuff animal.
- Every box gets playdough!
- Every boy gets cars/trucks
- Every girl gets hair accessories
- Every box gets at least one storybook
- Every box gets crayons and coloring books/paper
- Every school age box (5-9 and 10-14) gets pens, pencils, erasers and a pencil sharpener
- Every box gets age appropriate toys (balls, yo-yos, slinkys, puzzles, stickers)
- Every box gets candy!
The boxes are going to the collection site today. Here they
are, all ready to go!
Now to get started on next year’s boxes!
Here are some things I want to include next year that I will be watching out for a good deal on:
- Bandaids – brightly colored or character ones. Saw this on another site as a suggestion and thought it was a great idea!
- More clothing items. (This year I was able to find flip-flops for $0.49 each for the 5-9 boxes. The 2-4 boxes got cute socks. The 5-9 boy got a t-shirt and the 10-14 boy got a hat) I want to do more next year.
- More art supplies. Even though everyone got crayons, only one box got watercolors. One box got sidewalk chalk.
What do YOU like to put in your OCC shoeboxes?
I love couponing to help others! Read more about Operation Christmas Child!
We completed three this year. Puzzles in a small box the size of a deck of cards and unopened bracelets from the numerous Subway kids meals were two different items we included. Mini composition notebooks also.
I used lots of kid’s meal toys in the boxes this year! Bug’s not old enough to know that toys come in those bags! LOL!
You did an wonderful job! I love your boxes. This year I added a small bag to every shoebox, something I’ve never done before. It’s fun to change it up a little bit each year.
I know! I can’t wait to see what I can do next year! I’m getting a much earlier start! ;)
Thanks!
I’ve set a huge goal for this coming year. Your post has helped me see just about what each will probably cost. I found your link on Clip With Purpose. Thanks for writing this all out in detail–gives me a clearer picture. I’ve done this since year one with my daughters but with wanting to do three times as many as we ever have done before in one year I am looking for encouragement in seeing what others have done. Thanks again.
That’s awesome! Keep me posted on your progress! I would love to feature other bloggers who are doing OCC boxes too. So anytime you want to send me an update, please feel free to do so!
I went to my local Dollar Tree last Friday & they had tons of puzzles. I picked one up for my Mom because it had a nice snow scene with a snowman in it & it rang up at 50 cents! There weren’t any signs, but the discount was nice! Maybe your store has these too……
This year I put a bag – drawstring or tote – in every box. I also try to put an instrument or noisemaker in every box. My 10-14 year olds get stuffed toys, too. I like your idea of cars for every box, but hadn’t seen a deal on these, so only the boys got one. Another fun idea are kaleidoscopes, I just found some simple, but fun ones under party favors.
Oh, I meant cars for all the boys boxes. I’ve never put them in the girls. I can usually find a pack of 3 for $1 at the Dollar Store. They’re not “Hot Wheels” or “Matchbox” but I suppose that doesn’t matter. I can buy 2 packs and split them up between 3 boxes – not back for $2 :)