Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is coming up soon (November 12-19), 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!
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!
One more important tip, added thanks to Becky’s input in the comments on this post!
- Please double-check the “Don’t Send” list for your own country, as customs regulations vary. The items I’ve listed should all be ok to send from the U.S., but not necessarily from all other countries. (For instance, toothpaste is NOT okay to send from Canada.)
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. stamps and ink pads
17. scotch tape
18. pencil case
19. glitter
20. sewing kit
21. fabric quarters
22. watercolor paint sets
23. pom poms
24. stick-on rhinestone jewels
25. mini craft kits
26. masks to decorate
Toiletries and Hair Pretties:
27. travel-size tissue packs
28. nice-smelling soap
29. colorful washcloths
30. manicure set (no nail polish)
31. toothbrush
32. toothpaste
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
Toys:
41. stuffed animals
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. jump rope
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. balloons
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
Musical:
67. harmonica
68. small tambourine
69. wooden whistle
70. kazoo
71. maracas
72. bells
73. music box
74. wind chimes
Wearable:
75. gloves
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. drawstring backpack
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
Food-Related:
93. lollipops
94. bubble gum
95. hard candy
96. collapsible water bottle
97. curly straw
98. small reusable containers
99. plastic cup
One more very special item:
100. personal note written on pretty paper, and a photo of your family!
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.
Great list! Sending my friends over here who are coming to my box packing party!
Kathy @ House of Hills recently posted..Thank You Pinterest : Waffle Cinnamon Rolls
Twitter: jamieworley
says:
Thanks, Kathy!!
I love your list! I didn’t even -think- of packing musical things for the kids. I will have to try to add something like that in my boxes for next year!
TheBargainBabe recently posted..Packing Joy (in a Shoebox)–Girl’s Edition
I don’t know about the US, but in Canada, we’re not allowed to send any toothpaste or lip balm or soft candy(even gum) because of customs regulations. You might want to double check that.
Twitter: jamieworley
says:
I had not checked the OCC Canada page until I read your comment, but you are correct. However, in the U.S, toothpaste is specifically suggested. It would be a good idea, as you said, to double check as far as customs regulations for your specific country. Thanks for pointing that out, Becky.
Twitter: whitneybaugh
says:
This is our first year participating, so thank you for the list!
Whitney at It’s Gravy, Baby! recently posted..Fall & Halloween Finds at Kmart
I am sharing this GREAT post over on my blog klamathocc.blogspot.com SO many great ideas!
Twitter: jamieworley
says:
Rhonda,
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Oh Jamie…this is perfect! We are putting 20 boxes together this year and this list is terrific!
Bethany recently posted..Joyful Moments: Tree Climbing and Fall Leaves
Is it too late to send some boxes for Christmas.
Twitter: jamieworley
says:
You can still do built-a-box online: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/giving/buildabox/?&utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bab12&utm_content=WALLPOST-BAB-2
Thank you
I prefer to use the plastic shoeboxes. That way if their box were to get wet after they receive their presents, it wouldn’t get ruined and they would always have it to sore their treasures in or carry water, etc.