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During the holiday season we see several giving trees, boxes for toy deposit, and mission drives. It’s awesome at how much can be collected and donated to those who need. Oh now I completely understand we are months until Christmas. But this is one project that working on year round is worth. Let me tell you why…
A couple years ago I was introduced to Operation Christmas Child. My cousin blogged about it at aslightlybetterwife.com and it caught my interest. Now Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love decorating the tree, or in our home, many trees. The lights and ornaments from handed down traditions and those that are made to go with a theme. Most importantly, I love getting to see family that maybe I don’t see but only a couple times a year. So OCC is a project focused on something I love, what could be better? This can be done on a small scale or be a massive under taking if done with a group. Anyway you go about it is a great benefit to a child somewhere who may otherwise get nothing.
This year my 1st goal is to make gift boxes for six 12-14 year old boys. For me, this is incredibly easy. Having a 14 year old of my own, I am just thinking of items he would like. And yes, even though it is only March, I have already started shopping. Why? Well the turn in date comes faster than you think. While a lot of collection projects are starting in November and go through December. You have to have your boxes dropped off early in November.
This gets away from me easily. We are finishing up with field work, getting the yard cleaned up and animals ready to get put into proper barns as soon as the weather turns white. For us, and I am sure many others, fall is crazy. Maybe it’s my wonderful ability to procrastinate, that’s another story and today we are talking about little kids and Christmas.
Want to know what my plans are for filling these shoeboxes? To begin, I love a great deal. So buying early helps me to acquire many great deals throughout the year as item go on clearance. My biggest, best deal saver is at Menards. Please don’t think “seriously” until you hear me out.
Menards offers awesome rebates on several items through out the year. My favorite it free, or nearly free. You heard that right. Every Sunday morning, practically one of the first things I do, I look up the weeks ad online. I have the Menards app so in two clicks I’m there. I will confess, I think I have trained my brain, sometimes I wake up just around midnight and I have to look then. Finding a great deal determines if I will be making the 50 minute trek to our nearest Menards. Of course I try to make multiple stops including Hobby Lobby and Goodwill. Sometimes just getting multiple rebates is worth it alone.
I have gotten free or nearly free paint brushes and rollers, wooden crates, sand paper, hammers, screw drivers, rope, picture hangers, caulk, spray foam, battery candles, dog dishes, and leashes. This is merely a small list. My most favorite was the purple canning jars. I got these for $1 a six pack after rebate. Sadly it was after canning season, but this is a new year, yeah you get it.
Anyhow, Menards has many ideas to fill a shoebox for 12-14 year olds. So far I have gotten rope, screw drivers and organizer caddies for free, seriously. I plan on adding a ball with a pump, socks, flip flops, pencils & notebook, marbles, shirt, fishing line & hooks. Some of these items are seasonal and will go on clearance at some point. Additional items will be added to stuff the box, I just don’t know yet what that will be. A letter to the child is another good idea letting them know they are loved and thought of in this season. Ideas are endless, yet we do need to stay in the guidelines of do’s and don’ts. No weapon like toys or tools, liquid anything, candies and such.
One thing I need to add, when you take your boxes to the drop off location, it does cost $9 to help with shipping. After getting such great deals to fill the box, that last nine dollars is the cherry on the sundae.
This is a project in the making and I will be posting on my progress. I hope you take the time to fill a box or two. Get your kids involved, after all kids love to help pick out toys and kid related items. Giving means a lot more to them when they get to input on a gift idea as well, like being a Secret Santa.
For answers to any questions, or ideas on what you can and can’t pack in a shoebox, head over to this link.
www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/frequently-asked-questions/
This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This will add no additional cost to you, just send a few pennies my way for adding advertisement on this post.
