Ideas for Operational Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

MrsKing

Just thought I would let you know I went to my local Tesco today and they had lots of 'Back to School' stationary sets, funky pens, pencils, rubbers etc going really cheap. Stocked up on a few bits and pieces for my shoeboxes.

Also got some Value yo-yos at 24p each. If I don't start collecting now, they won't be ready in time!!

dolly_day_dream

hobbesy wrote:

Please no-one shoot me down, I think what you're all doing is great. But, does anyone know of a similar setup for children in this country, especially one that is non religious. There are just so many children who are also living in poverty here that we don't hear about.

I have a dilemma in that whilst I really want to help the many children less fortunate than mine I have a problem supporting a predominately Christian Evangelical organisation - just my personal preference. I tend to give as generously as I can to my local paper's appeal for toys for local disadvantaged children and the pass the parcel appeal by the Salvation Army (and no I don't have a problem with the Sally Army cos they don't try to convert anyone to Christainity they just help as and where it is needed) Samaritans Purse quotes that it equates to about one conversion to Christainity for every 40 boxes delivered.

hobbesy_2

dolly_day_dream wrote:

I have a dilemma in that whilst I really want to help the many children less fortunate than mine I have a problem supporting a predominately Christian Evangelical organisation - just my personal preference.

Samaritans Purse quotes that it equates to about one conversion to Christainity for every 40 boxes delivered.

This was kind of my point. More than anything I want to help other families who haven't been as lucky as us but preferably through a non religious organisation (although i agree with the Sally Army and even accompany my nan to her 'old dear' coffee mornings when I get the chance when visiting home)

Sallys_Savings

We have been filling boxes for the last 18 years and each year I still shed a tear when we've finished packing them....I know I'm daft lol

Every year my children all do a box each and my oh and myself do one too.
The children have always loved participating in buying bits and pieces for these boxes. Always taking such pride in cramming them full. We used to give them a set amount and see what they could buy with the money. After about two weeks of secret buying (when they were smaller...I'd help the girls and my oh helped the boys). We'd always sit down on a sunday evening in November and show everyone what we'd brought. It was always quite exciting lol:j

My four children have always scouted around in their bedrooms for items that they've been brought and never used. This normally pulled in lots of bits and bobs that they've never even looked at So you don't have to rush out and buy "new" all the time, but "as new" is just as good . They used to find bits and pieces like beanies, hair bits, jewellery, blow football game, little pads, pens, story books etc. etc. We also found it was personal too by giving something of theirs.

I've just brought some childrens hats and cute socks in the Tesco sale at 25p each so they'll be popped in this year.

My four children (oldest 19 yrs and youngest 14 yrs) still filled shoe boxes this last year which surprised me that the oldest boy at 19 would still wish to. Its become a part of run up to christmas now and only two weeks ago he said he'd got a shoe box ready. (considering he takes a size 14 shoe its going to be hell of a shoe box parcel lol):rotfl:

Now they are older they all pay for the items to go in themselves...but we still have a £5 limit on each box....which buys loads

The items we've put in over the years have been:

Tesco chilli soft toys
Little rag dolls
Balloons
Yo yos
pads/pens/pencils/rubbers/ruler etc.
puzzle games
jigsaws
no word books
gloves, hat, scarf
socks
t shirts
woolly tights
pretty brushes
combs
soap
toothbrush
little paint set and book
10p sweet bags
flumps 10p marshmallow things
stickers (some of these were free in breakfast cereals..so could be other toys etc about too)
skipping ropes
mini kite (was 56p in tesco)
playing cards...snap etc
finger puppet set to make (wilkinson have lots of these sorts of things for £1)

I also pick up second hand toys (but look new) from car boots....rattles, polly pockets, little dolls, travel games etc. so I can get more for my money.


We have always included something the children have made (even now at their ages) they still make something individual ...i.e. friendship bracelets, little fancy boxes, decorated value t shirts (£1)(from simple pictures, to a photo ironed on, bike tyre run through paint and then on t shirt, potato printing etc.), blow football game (straws/goals/mini football), a shaker full of rice/pasta, jigsaw, drawn a maze on piece of paper, peg doll, painted cotton reels with shoe laces for threading.etc.

Now you've put me in the mood I'm going to be on a hunt for the best christmas box this year

Good luck to you all on your boxes and well done for contributing to a childs christmas :T

Sallys_Savings

oops sorry ....Yes, I do always put photos in too

ladygrey_2

hobbesy wrote:

Please no-one shoot me down, I think what you're all doing is great. But, does anyone know of a similar setup for children in this country, especially one that is non religious. There are just so many children who are also living in poverty here that we don't hear about.

I have a 3 year old and 8 month old and this year wanted to start a family tradition of giving them some money to go a choose a present or presents for another child to remind them not everyone has what they have (which admittedly isn't a great deal but we're happy). I was thinking along the lines of a women's shelter where kids have often had to leave a lot of their stuff behind, or just speaking to social services if they had a family in mind we could buy something for via them

Any suggestions

Keri -x-

I think 'This Morning' programme on ITV do this at christmas
toys can be left at Boots and are distributed to needy kids

some local radio stations do it too

Shortie

Thanks for all the great ideas guys. My Mum and Dad did this for the first time last year through my Dad's work place that send the gifts (not shoeboxes in his place, they just ask for unwrapped pressies and they sort the parcels out at the charoty I think before distributing...)

Anyway, hobbesy: if you want I'll find out the charity my Dad's place supports..?

Also wanted to agree with others that last year we used it to start to make my 3 year old son realise that not everyone is as fortunate as he may be. I'm doing the same this year and everytime we buy somethind I know DS wil ask if he can have it, but I'll o my bit to explain. I hope to make a very well rounded little man out of him

Sallys_Savings

I'm sure you will shortie

Shortie

Thanks Sally, very sweet of you to say that

Softstuff

Well, 13 shoeboxes are done for me now, and I'll be dropping them in this afternoon. (done early since I emigrate next tuesday).
Thought people might welcome a few suggestions of things I found cheaply:
Small colouring pencil sets are 2 for 30p in morrisons
Asda value toothbrushes are 2 for 29p
Boots own brand toothpaste (think it's under 30p) is on 3 for 2 at the moment
Home bargains has a pack of 6 exercise books for under 40p
Flannels were cheapest at ponden mill, 5 for a pound (and better quality too)

These all made the ideal stuffing bits for mine (the reason I could do so many is I'm closing a business that had a lot of ideal fillers)