Ideas for Operational Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

V.Lucky

My son started school last year, and his school do this. Thanks for this thread, read it yesterday - and as if it was fate saw bogof on a pack of 10 black lead pencils with erasers on the end for 29p at Morrisons, so bought some for the boxes.

I must admit to shedding a tear or two as I did the boxes last year. Really enjoyed it though - and made us count our blessings for what we have.

doddsy

marbles can be viewed as a weapon - in catapults apparently
doddsy

bluekp

What a great thread - I'm sure there are loads of people out there who've never heard of this but would like to do them.

My mum and I do them and we always do boxes for the 10-14 boys as we were also told that there is a shortage of these.

I find Woolies good for picking up a whole range of things.

It really makes you realise how lucky you are when you do one of these.

Well done to everyone doing one this year :T

Becles

Get your children involved in picking the items and making up the boxes with you.

It really shocks them when they learn that some children get nothing for Christmas, and it brings home to them that not everyone is as lucky as they are. My two love making the boxes up and put a lot of love and care into doing it. It really helps them remember Christmas is just as much about giving as receiving.

Rachel021967

Space.bar.still.not.working....Thanks.for.the.ideas...I.got.my.boxes.from.Clarkes...Sometimes.I've.had.to.ask.in.advance.as.no.box.available.at.time.of.visit....The.man.at.the.till.was.very.helpful...Even.asked.whether.I.wanted.some.more.

newleaf

There are '3 packs' of Adidas sports socks in Morrisons, reduced to £2.48, I thought these might be good in the older boys boxes? Maybe a pair or two of tights for older girls? Also, Lidl are doing loads of back to school specials this week, pens, crayons, calculators, drawing paper etc.

thriftmonster

Last year one of my kids asked why Santa didn't come to these kids. I explained that he did, but that the mummies and daddies couldn't afford any other presents

Has anyone else had this problem?

newleaf

I suppose it depends what they believe about Santa. My nieces & nephews know that Santa doesn't buy the presents himself, mum & dad send them off to Santa for delivery - and that they only get them if they're very, very good - otherwise, Santa gives them to other children!.

Glad

all the boxes are looked through before being sent off
I go as a volunteer to the collection centre to do this
local companies are approached for donations and cash used to buy large amount of toothbrushes/soap/toothpaste, boxes of these are on each sorting table and we add them to boxes that haven't got them,
some companies will go out and buy a large amount of hats/gloves etc too and they are also added to boxes as needed,
cosmetic freebies that come in mags are good for teen girls and Boots are good for giving samples if you tell them what it's for

QueenB.

I have got a few bits from the poundshop, like little notebook, a pack of 3 for £1, a set of 6 pens which each have 4 colours £1 and so on. this is a great time of year to be getting all the paper and pencils and crayons etc.

Some great ideas on here. The children love helping to put theses boxes together. I have always found it important that we do something for other especially at that time of year so that the children grow up knowing how lucky they are and how life is for others around the world.

Does anyone ever put a little picture of themselves in? It says it is acceptable on the site but i have never done it before.