100 Shoebox Ideas for Girls: OCC Gifts

Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is coming up soon, but there is still plenty of time to pack a box! Since we know it’s sometimes difficult to come up with ideas, Amy and I have come up with big ol’ lists to get you going. I’m sharing 100 shoebox ideas for a girl and Amy is sharing 100 shoebox ideas for a boy!

OCC Shoebox Items for a Girl

100 Operation Christmas Child Gift Ideas for a Girl.

Keep in mind that with many of these items, even the more practical ones, you can get as creative as you’d like. You could decorate a store-bought gift, like ordinary flip-flops. Or you could make some of the items yourself, like a doll or an apron, for instance. Just don’t get stressed about what to put in your boxes; pack with love, and know that this shoebox will be huge blessing for a child who may have never even received a gift!

A few tips to keep in mind:

  • It’s okay to take things out of the packages they came in. This makes room for more gifts in the box, and it’s more economical because you can split items up between boxes, or team up with friends who are also packing boxes.
  • It doesn’t matter if you choose cardboard boxes or plastic storage boxes. Any shoebox will do.
  • Please don’t send liquids of any kind, as they could leak. Also, no war-related items (weapons, soldier toys, etc), expired food/candy, or fragile items.
  • Keep ages in mind when packing your boxes, especially in regards to safety for the littlest ones!

**Please double-check the “Don’t Send” list for your country, as customs regulations vary.

School and Craft Supplies:

1. pencils
2. pens
3. crayons
4. colored pencils
5. pencil sharpener
6. notebooks or journals
7. picture books, even for older girls
8. glue sticks
9. scissors
10. highlighters or markers
11. chalk
12. coloring books
13. duct tape (in a pretty pattern!)
14. sticky notes
15. stickers
16. rubber stamps
17. ink pads
18. scotch tape
19. pencil case
20. glitter
21. sewing kit
22. fabric quarters
23. watercolor paint sets
24. pom poms
25. stick-on rhinestone jewels
26. mini craft kits
27. masks to decorate

Toiletries and Hair Pretties:

28. nice-smelling bar soap
29. colorful washcloths
30. manicure set (no nail polish)
31. toothbrush
32. toothbrush container (like for travel)
33. hair bows or barrettes
34. comb/brush
35. solid deodorant
36. lip balm/gloss
37. pretty headbands
38. hair ribbons
39. band-aids
40. safety pins
41. travel-size tissue packs

Toys:

42. yo-yo
43. jacks
44. matchbox cars (girls like them too!)
45. boxed puzzle
46. card games (like UNO)
47. play-doh (make sure it’s sealed well so it doesn’t dry out)
48. stuffed animal
49. marbles
50. finger puppets
51. doll
52. bouncy ball (or tennis ball)
53. kaleidoscope
54. princess wand
55. wooden Jacob’s ladder toy
56. accordian-style folding fan
57. non-breakable tea set
58. toy animal figures
59. travel-size games (like checkers)
60. origami kit
61. spinning top
62. mini etch-a-sketch
63. silly putty
64. slinky
65. sponge pills that expand when put in water
66. kids’ meal toys
67. jump rope

Musical:

68. small tambourine
69. wooden whistle
70. kazoo
71. maracas
72. bells
73. music box
74. wind chimes
75. harmonica

Wearable:

76. flip-flops
77. fun socks
78. colorful plastic bead necklaces
79. fold-able sunhat
80. sunglasses
81. apron
82. pillowcase dress
83. scarf
84. gloves
85. friendship bracelets (and extra string to make more)
86. wrist watch
87. ballet slippers
88. bandana
89. t-shirt
90. purse
91. tiara
92. clip-on earrings
93. drawstring backpack

Food-Related:

94. plastic utensils
95. plastic cup
96. collapsible water bottle
97. curly straw
98. small reusable containers

Extra special:

99. personal note written on pretty paper
100. a photo of your family!

OCC blogger
As a member of iHomeschool Network’s Samaritan’s Purse Blogger Team, I write about the ministry on a volunteer basis. All posts are my own thoughts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Samaritan’s Purse. I am not an employee, agent, or contractor of Samaritan’s Purse.

UPDATE 8/2016:

Candy specifications: During 2016, the following types of candy can be included in shoebox gifts: hard candy, gummy bears, caramels, taffy, and gum—as long as its expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week: Nov. 14-21, 2016. Starting in 2017, no type of candy can be included in shoebox gifts.

Toothpaste specifications: Toothpaste can be included this year as long as its expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week: Nov. 14-21, 2016. Starting in 2017, toothpaste cannot be included in shoebox gifts, but a child’s oral hygiene can still be improved by regular use of a toothbrush alone.)