I need thrifty ideas for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for 10-14 year olds. Operation Christmas Child is an outreach by Samaritan's Purse in which shoeboxes are filled with gifts and then shipped to children in need (due to poverty, disaster, or war) around the world.
I would like to do several boxes, and need affordable ideas for preteen and teenage children, both male and female. I have an easier time thinking of ideas for younger children, but want to provide a Christmas gift for older children as well, children who have perhaps never received a Christmas gift.
The more thrifty the ideas are, the more boxes we will be able to send. Suggested items are: toys, school or craft supplies, hygiene items, clothing items like hats or socks, and hard candies and gum. I need some specific inspiration for what this age group of 10-14 years old might need or enjoy (that will fit into a shoebox).
No other foods besides hard candy, mints or gum can be sent, no toy guns, knives, or military figures, no liquids or medicines, and of course no breakable things should be sent. I appreciate any suggestions for this, and encourage others to participate as well!
God bless you for wanting to support this excellent ministry! It's been nearly 10 years and one near-fatal auto accident since the year I was able to participate, so I can't remember everything I bought. The one thing that stands out in my mind was a solar calculator, since I, too, wanted to send to an older child.
If memory serves, I believe I also sent paper, pencils and a pencil sharpener, perhaps a coloring book and crayons appropriate to the older age group. The Graham ministers themselves provided the Bible and religious materials. I believe the limit has gone from $20 to $30 for items. Don't forget to include a $5 bill to help with shipping... at least, that's what the requested donation was the year I participated.
You can send pens and pencils but please if you send these please send writing paper. Things for the hair, chewing gum, hard candy, toothbrush and toothpaste. Please nothing that will break because even though they are careful with the boxes accidents do happen. stuff animals would be good. Also you can get a plastic container the size of a shoe box and put the items in and that will give the child something to keep her things in and not get wet like a shoe box. that is what I use instead of a shoe box.
I have read many good ideas, although some don't apply, but then not everyone is familiar with Samaritans purse either. We are in the process of thinking through the age group we will try to help this year. It is so easy to get little fun things for the younger kids, but I do think something like a small note book for a journal, or something, would be nice. So many of these young people will not be English speaking, so of course books and even a bible, (which i think is tucked in the "shoe box") in the language of the child it is going to would only be helpful if sent by those who finish up the box. I would send personal care items, toothbrush, even two or three, (they might want to share), a comb, or even a small hairbrush would be nice for a girl. We have sent note paper, pencils, and a pencil sharpener, small, but effective to keep the pencils useful.
I am sure they will enjoy candy, but it is eaten and gone, but colorful hair care items, or such, or a really nice flashlight with several spare batteries was a choice once for a couple children. Just imagine no street lights, maybe no lights in the home to speak of, and the ownership of a small flashlight is an amazing thing. Hope some of this was of help. We spent some money on the two boxes we did a couple years ago considering we are both on s.S. And have health problems, but nothing gave us more joy, i can tell you. I pictured the kids with their flashlights and all, and the plastic box we bought for them to keep "their" stuff in.
Hi there - good to see you getting on board - we do operation Xmas child too, but I need to point out a few things - we (in Australia) are not allowed to send any religious material at all - this is not supposed to be selling God, it's a gift to a needy child. We are not allowed to put in talc, pot pourri (customs) or candy, batteries, etc - the boxes often sit on the wharves for some time, and if something leaks or spoils it can ruin the whole box, maybe even the whole container.
I usually put in something to cuddle - a small toy to love (often in war torn countries this is important, no matter how old the child), a pencil case with coloured pencils (not felttips - these wear out too quickly, and this is the only present a child will ever get) pencils, erasers, sharpeners, a book to read (something easy - English is not always the first language) a book to write on, a beanie, a tennis ball (cheap ones do not bounce!); soap, washcloth, toothbrush; (no paste); stickers, puzzles, a yoyo; a mouth organ or recorder; a skipping rope, a bag to carry it all in (no dressing tables to put things in); a jigsaw; marbles, marble bag; toy cars; a small game (like checkers - no cards - they are not allowed because they could be used for gambling); some jewelery; for girls some hair clips; spinning tops, kaleidoscopes; pick-up sticks, a craft set of some kind (beads, etc), a sewing kit for the older girls; finger puppets, balloons for fun; just remember to try to be culturally sensitive.
We're not allowed to put in Shrek or Spiderman - to us they are cute, but to children in a village somewhere they appear to be big scary monsters. Good luck, and bless you!
As mentioned you cannot send any liquids, but you can send talc powders, solid perfumes, dry potpourri, Gel pens, small puzzles, stuffed animals, sticky note pads. It is hard to think of items for a teen that would fit in a shoe box! and of course a Bible. The Dollar stores usually have one for $5 and our Christian Book store has some pocket sized for less than a dollar! Good luck and God Bless. This is a great ministry!
You can buy the travel size shampoos, lotions, etc. Also hair brushes, combs, barrettes, ponytail scruncies, etc. Notebooks, pens(especially the wild colored ones) would also work. Funky socks, WalMart usually has some for just a little over a dollar a pair. Even a store like Dollar Tree would have some toiletries, etc. The only thing with their stuff there isn't a paper seal inside the lid and if the lid gets jarred loose there is a little leakage. If you have a Walgreens, watch their ads, because every now and thne they have good sized bottles of shampoo and body wash for a dollar apiece.
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