Operation Christmas Child Shoebox!

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, I’m super excited to share one of my favorite ministries with you: Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child!

If you haven't heard of Operation Christmas Child, they are an awesome organization that sends shoeboxes filled with toys, personal care items, crafts, and more, to children worldwide who would not receive a Christmas gift otherwise. Want to know the best part? These boxes are all packed by people like you and me!

By packing and sending an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox, you'll give kids a memorable Christmas that they wouldn't have had otherwise.

Here's what you'll need to do to participate:

1. Find a Shoebox. Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately. If you decide to shop at Hobby Lobby, you may also find bins at the front that you can fill to get an idea of how many things will fit into a normal shoebox.

2. Girl or Boy? Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and what age category you're shopping for: 2–4 years, 5–9 years, or 10–14 years.

3. Fill with Gifts. Select a medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. You can also include a personal note and photo.

4. Donate $9 online and receive a label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift.

Are you having trouble coming up with ideas to put in your shoebox? Today, I am going to be sharing a bunch of the best and my favorite items to pack in your shoebox.

First off I would like to share my absolute favorite thing to put in the shoeboxes, a personal note and photo. Writing a simple note can help the child receiving the box to understand that a real person–someone who might live in a much different place–loves them and cares for them.

Things children of all ages and both genders will love.

1. Crayons

2. Coloring books

3. Flip flops

4. T-shirts

5. Ball

6. Bar soap

7. Bandana

8. Pencils & pens

9. Pencil sharpener

10.Craft duct tape

11.Travel size games – Checkers, etc

12.Deck of cards

13.Hacky sack

14.Harmonica

15.Yo-Yo

16.Hat

17.Glue sticks

18.Scissors

19.Small stuffed animal

20.Small crafting kit

21.Post-It notes

22.Highlighters

23.Small notebook

24.Chalk

25.Watercolor paint sets

26.Play-Doh

27.Small Etch-a-Sketch

28.Socks

29.Backpack

30.Plastic cup

31.Straws

32.Scarf

33.Jump rope

34.Glow sticks

35.Matchbox cars

36.Finger puppets

37.Silly Putty

38.Balloons

39.Toothbrush (not toothpaste)

40.Washcloth

41.Wet wipes

42.Travel pack of tissues

43.Chapstick

44.Band-Aids

45.Hair brush

46.Binoculars

47.Kaleidoscope

48.Plastic Magnifying Glass

49.Watch

50.Collapsible water bottle

51.Musical Instruments

52.Ink pad and stamp set

53.Sticky notes

54.Watercolor paint set

55.Yarn

56.Colored Sharpies, highlighters, or markers

Ideas For Boys:

• Tools – hammer, screwdriver, wrench or pliers, duct tape, measuring tape

• Fishing supplies – add in a small fishing kit, fishing line, hooks

Ideas For Girls:

• Small sewing kit

• Clip on earrings

• Bracelets

• Barrettes

• Coin purse

• A friendship bracelet with extra string so they can make more

• Bath sponge