2008 Christmas Shoeboxes

snoony2

emweaver wrote: »

Just curious as to how much you spend on the contents of a shoebox? Im not sure whats happened this year but Ive spent double on one box! Im only doing 1 this yr as opposed to 4 again as money is tight but not really saved lol

I've been buying items all year for my boxes - and had lost track of how much I'd spent and how many items I'd bought - I've managed to fill 17 boxes and have some things left over for next time.

If it helps anyone, heres what I've included in each box:

Teddy 50p (reduced from £5 in Clintons clearance sale)
Hat £3 (reduced from approx £12 in Monsoon sale)
Notebook £1 (reduced from £5.50 in WH Smith online sale)
Trainer bag £1 (reduced from £6 in WH Smith online sale)
Large wrap up butterfly pencil case £1 (reduced from £6 in WH Smith online clearance)
Snakes & Ladders game board FREE (printed off internet & laminated)
Dice & counters 20p
Double metal pencil sharpener 30p (Wilkinsons)
puzzle 50p (party favour section in Tesco)
Stickers 20p a sheet (Hawkins Bazaar online sale)
Balloons 30p
Felt tips 40p (Partners BOGOF)
Disney fairies playing cards £2.50 (Disney Store)
Make up £1 (reduced from £5 in Claires sale)
Comb 19p (Wilkinsons)
Jewelled nail file 33p (3 for £1 in pound shop)
Necklace £1 (reduced from £8 in Claires sale)
Pattern Maker 50p (is like a mini spirograph - bought from Amazon)
Bouncy ball 10p ( £1 for a pack in Asda)
Handbag party game £1 ( Tesco - like a pin the tail on the donkey)
Toothbrushes 13p for 2 (Tesco value)
Toothpaste 65p (Wilkinsons)
Hairband 40p (from a set in Monsoon sale)
Card making set - cards, sequins, envelopes & pritt stick 30p (used what I had, only bought pritt stick)
plasters 10p (included 1 strip from pack)
pens & pencils 60p (these were fab bargains - bought a box of 100 pens and pencil
packs for £15 from WH Smith online clearance section - the pens were individually priced at £2.99 each and the pencil packs at £2.49!)
plain paper sheets
Colouring sheets
Toiletry bag 10p (reduced in Superdrug clearance)
Sweets 50p
Soap 50p
Washcloth £1.50
Lipbalm 50p (from pack in Claires sale)
Hair bobbles £1


Think that's everything - bit scared to add it up though!

miaoww

sweetnskint wrote: »

i always do some for samaritans purse had no idea that there were others will look into this beacause not religious at all and would not encourage any brainwashing etc.... especially on vunrable people. thanks for bringing this to my attention-will be more careful.x always donate and hope to bring some happiness to poor kids. x

Yep that put me off last year but I contacted my local council and you could ask for a child - (were able to select boy or girl) and age and you go any buy a new pressie for them - wrap it and drop back to them to hand out - didnt cost much especially with all the 3 for 2 offeres etc and i knew i would be going to someone local less fortunate than my kids

torikate

Hi,
Sorry if this has been posted before but I was wondering if all of the charities need you to make a donations with the boxes. My Nan has made 8 shoeboxes up but on some sites I've found they want you to put £2-£2.50 for each shoebox. I know they rely on these donations but this will be too expensive for my Nan. She has no problem as to where they go as long as long as the children get them (as she says!) Any help will be great. Thanks.
Tori xx

snoony2

Hi Torikate

I was a little worried about this too - a friend of mine helps to check the boxes and seal them (for Samaritans purse) - I spoke to her about it and she said I could send them without the money and they would still go out to children with the other boxes.

- maybe it would be worth calling the charity you want to send them with, just to check.

torikate

Thank you snooy2. Yeah I didn't want them top go to waste. Will give them a call and see what they say.
Tori x

got-it-spend-it

I dropped my six boxes off yesterday. To be honest I was a bit disappointed as even though I had called in advance to say I would be dropping them off, they ummed and ahhed about whether they had any room left for my boxes! Wanted to know where I was from, and were really surprised when I said I had just done them myself!

Still, I'm very chuffed with the boxes. As others have said, I've been collecting goodies since the summer- some bits were freebies I'd sent off for, mini shampoos and shower gels from hotels I've stayed in through work and lots of Wilkos bargains! Meant to take a pic of them but totally forgot! Just worked out that I spent just under a fiver a box which I'm pretty pleased with. Then had to tape £2 to each one.

We'll soon be onto next years thread.......

shadej

emweaver wrote: »

Just curious as to how much you spend on the contents of a shoebox? Im not sure whats happened this year but Ive spent double on one box! Im only doing 1 this yr as opposed to 4 again as money is tight but not really saved lol

I planned on spending £8 or so, but went to poundland and all the £1 add up.
I got more stuff when I went to Tesco, Sainsburys and Wilko. Now I have 2 boxes and enough stuff to fill another 3-4 boxes but I cant find any shoe boxes. So I still need to buy gift boxes and use them. So far I have spent £24. Ill also need to put £2 on each box.

snoony2

shadej wrote: »

I planned on spending £8 or so, but went to poundland and all the £1 add up.
I got more stuff when I went to Tesco, Sainsburys and Wilko. Now I have 2 boxes and enough stuff to fill another 3-4 boxes but I cant find any shoe boxes. So I still need to buy gift boxes and use them. So far I have spent £24. Ill also need to put £2 on each box.

I've found Clarks and Faith the best places to get shoeboxes from so if you need more I'd give them a try.