I've always wanted to make one of these shoeboxes for a child in need, and this year I finally did it! Operation Christmas Child sends shoeboxes full of toys and supplies to children in 3rd world countries. You get to pick the gender and the age group (I chose a girl, ages 10-14). Girls of this age apparently often get overlooked, and they are also one of the groups that needs the most, especially when it comes to things like school supplies and hygiene products.
You don't know where your box will be sent, or the specific age of the child, so it's best to pick products that any child might need and enjoy.
I tried to fit a lot in my box, so I used a bigger box and also filled up a pencil pouch and a water bottle with materials, to save space.
Here are some things I included:
School Supplies:
- colored pencils
- markers
- crayons
- pencils
- glue stick
- pencil pouch
- a set with a mini stapler, staples, tape, erasers, scissors, pencil sharpener, hole punch, etc.
- a notebook (with stickers to decorate it with)
- a folder (with designs to color in)
I got almost all of the school supplies from
Yoobi, which is a fun brand that provides school supplies to classrooms in need throughout the US, with every purchase you make! I thought this was a fun way to help children abroad, as well as children at home.
Toys:
- a pink squishy football (this is good because inflatable balls require a pump to go with them. I also loved the pink, and another double donation because it benefited Breast Cancer research as well!)
- Stuffed animal (I liked this flamingo because, again,
pink).
- 2 dolls (At first I wanted to get her a Barbie doll, but they are so much more expensive than this off-brand, and I thought it would be better to get her 2 rather than 1, so she could play with them together. I also included several pieces of doll clothes, so she could dress them up).
- Reusable Barbie stickers of dolls and clothes (to use like paper dolls).
- Pink jump rope
Personal Care Items:
- cute bandaids
- washcloths
- brush
- comb
- toothbrush (liquids like toothpaste are not allowed)
- nail file and clippers
Next year, I really want to include some kind of reusable feminine hygiene products. Initially, I planned to include a Diva Cup, but when I read up on it some websites suggested that this is a poor idea, as they may not have an adequate way to wash such an item, and may share with each other, causing disease. I obviously did not want to take that risk, so I'm looking into it further before next year!
Clothing and Accessories:
- Comfy pants with a floral design
- t-shirt
- lots of socks
- sunglasses
- plenty of hair accessories
A Personal Note:
Lots of websites suggested including a personal note. Apparently, when they pass the boxes out there are translators there to read the notes to them. They also suggested adding a picture of yourself, so I slipped one into the envelope that I taped to the top of the shoebox.
There are lots of things I want to do differently next year. I recently read that these children each only get one of these boxes their whole lives, so I when I have more of an income I want to include more expensive items.
For example, if you are making a box and have the means, I would highly suggest including a
Life Straw. These straws turn contaminated water into safe, drinking water. Plus, with every purchase of one Life Straw, another is donated to a school-aged child in a developing community.
Next year, I also want to have an
Operation Christmas Child shoebox making party! Guests would all bring toys and materials and everyone would put together and decorate boxes together.
How fun does that sound!?
