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2008 Christmas Shoeboxes

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:rolleyes: I know it's a bit early for this, but I wondered whether anybody was planning any Christmas charity shoeboxes this year? I've never done it before but am planing to do about 6 this year, through Link Romania. I'm really interested to know what other people put in their boxes, and hear any other bargains people have got for them as I'm hoping I can keep mine MSE (along with all my other Christmas pressies).

So far I have got:

Warm kiddies socks, £1 for 3 pairs in Primark
Notebooks £1 for 5 in The Works
Plasticine strips 49p in The Works
Soap £1 for 4 in Poundland
Felt Tips 15p a pack in Wilkos

Hope that's useful to someone. I know the point of the boxes is not bargain hunting:o , but the better the bargains I can get the more boxes I can afford to do....

GISI x
:DYummy mummy, runner, baker and procrastinator :p
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Comments

  • RustyFlange
    RustyFlange Posts: 7,538 Forumite
    Colouring books?
    pencil case
    sharpener
    rubber
    doll?
    car?
    crayons
    all depends on age bracket for child.

    Gloves is a good one as is a scarf
    Raising kids is like being held hostage by midget terrorists
  • Melon78
    Melon78 Posts: 598 Forumite
    I'd like to do a couple this year with my boys, but am never sure where to send them/or where to donate them.

    any ideas?
    Slightly worn out mum to 3 (DS1 May 03, DS2 Feb 05, DD1 Feb 08). When i grow up i think i'll become a UN Peace keeper....
  • poppett
    poppett Posts: 897 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    There was an article in our local evening paper yesterday about shoebox parcels for the county's regiment (army). I am thinking of doing a couple of boxes this year. As a wife of someone who is ex forces I know they would appreciate something from home.
    £2 savers club. No.90. Aim £500.
  • This is the one I'm doing http://www.linkromania.co.uk/shoebox-appeal/how-to-fill-a-shoebox . There are various drop off points you can take the boxes to.

    This charity distribites boxes to families in Eastern Europe. They are a Christian charity but are not evangelical and distribute according to need rather than ethnicity or religion.

    As Poppett says you can also send gifts to British forces abroad. I can't find the link through google at the mo, but when I searched this site earlier there was a thread on it.

    Hope that helps.
    :DYummy mummy, runner, baker and procrastinator :p
  • funnyfreckle
    funnyfreckle Posts: 543 Forumite
    You're not starting as early as some of us - this thread started in January!! This thread might be useful for ideas what to put in shoeboxes.
    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=666333

    I hope this helps - I love making up shoeboxes and it is such a small way of making a difference to children across the world.
  • SugarSpun
    SugarSpun Posts: 8,559 Forumite
    So far I have chalk, notebooks and pencils for mine. I'll add erasers, felt pens, soap, flannels, toothbrushes, balls, gloves, hats, scarves and small toys.

    My mother was looking at a former army property to buy a few years ago, for the land - and in one of the outbuildings she found about 600 shoeboxes from the previous year that had been abandoned. She said it's better to go through a charity because you know they'll get there.
    Organised Birthdays and Christmas: Spend So Far: £193.75; Saved from RRP £963.76
    Three gifts left to buy
  • SkipE
    SkipE Posts: 295 Forumite
    Dont forget these guys when making shoe boxes

    http://www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk/

    I try to make up boxes or just contribute £5 which makes a ready made box to be sent to our brave boys and girls away from home at Christmas.
  • scuzz
    scuzz Posts: 1,995 Forumite
    I help out a couple of local charities who do this. They quite often would like little packets of jelly sweeties to put in - think haribo. Also toothpaste and toothbrushes were in short supply last year.

    For anyone wanting to do this, Tesco are a good place to look after the kids have gone back to school and they're selling off all the stationery stuff really cheaply

    There's also a group set up called Thank the Forces, who send parcels out to our troops all year round.
    Comping, Clicking & Saving for Change
  • lady_isa
    lady_isa Posts: 183 Forumite
    Hi

    I've started to buy things for 2 boxes. got tops, trousers, pjs and pants for them.

    think i might also do a couple for the forces boys too.
  • I would like to make some up this year, I think it would be good for my daughter to do as well. Our local tescos often have 1 pound items like crayons, paper, glue etc. They also sell pants in packs for about 2 pounds. Value soap is just 15p for 3 bars
    Debt free wannabe
    Littlewoods - £214.82 (DD set up so 0%)
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