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 The picture is a little outdated but that’s ok!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
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 :)