Hunt for things to put in charity christmas shoeboxes

krazykidskate

V.Lucky wrote:

Anyone know where to get tennis balls from, no local cheapie shops around here. Somewhere big like Tesco (who have none) would be ideal. Thanks.

Got a pack of 3 x 100g soaps from Boots value range 29p.

Wilko's value toothpaste 21p for a big tube.

I read the list of accepted and not accepted stuff and notice it said only clothing allowed is hats, scarves, and gloves. Do they allow tights and socks then? If so, will get them in the sales for next year, as you suggest Lara.

Do they allow you to split packs of toothbrushes, so they are not wrapped, ie loose, as this would work out cheaper.

ASDA had a shelf full of '3 tennis balls in tubes for 50p' in the sale section near the reduced halloween stuff. My local ASDA is Sheffield not sure if they'll all have them though. Also had a big basket full of mini purple England footballs reduced from £3 to 20p - would fit in shoebox but might take up too much space.

V.Lucky

Thanks for that, will go and check out Asda.

Lyndsay_21

I'm so glad to be doing it this year i'm doing for a younger girl (cant quite remember ages now) i've been to primark and bought some hair bobbles £1 for 30, a lovely ring, bracelet and necklace set for £1 and a fluffy doggy bag £1, i'm also going to include some toiletries, socks, tights, gloves and scarf.

Am thinking of doing one for an older boy anyone have any ides of what to put in was thinking of maybe writing pad and pens. toy cars (or is that too young?) comb, toothbrush etc socks hat gloves. maybe some kind of football paraphenalia as most boys love football

jap200

Boxes for the older age boys are probably the most difficult, but I would suggest:

Yo-yo
playing cards
marbles
baseball hat
exercise books
pencils & pens
keyring
mouth organ
socks
tin of sweets - like travel ones, as the tins are great for storing precious things in afterwards
'soft' toy - yes even for 'big' boys!
comb and small mirror

Lyndsay_21

jap200 wrote:

tin of sweets - like travel ones, as the tins are great for storing precious things in afterwards

what a brill idea never thought of that!!!

Lara

Not Marbles or mirror as they aren't allowed

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sorry! Unless of course mirror is plastic .

Also how about crayons, pencil, paper, felt tips, ruler, rubber, pencil sharpener and tennis ball. Put them in a plastic bag. Definitely soft toy as jap200 says 'cos at any age they like them .

Primark have some brilliant bargains don't they! I bought coloured, wide bangles a couple of weeks ago for 10p each. Too cheap to leave! lol

jap200

Lara wrote:

Not Marbles or mirror as they aren't allowed

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sorry! Unless of course mirror is plastic .

Sorry - yes, you are right, I just checked the leaflet and glass/mirrors and marbles are not allowed.

I just had another idea for soft toys.

Persil is running a promotion (only in Sainsburys) to get a free Happy Feet Penguin soft toy with packs of Persil non-bio tablets and powder. I often use these anyway, so to keep my kids happy, bought several packs at once. The penguins that come with the powder and tablets are very cute and turn inside out into an egg (sounds wierd, but works). They would be great for any age/sex.

There is also a small penguin comforter attached to special bottles of persil fabric conditioner too - this would be great for the youngest age child.

There is a thread all about it here - but remember, it is only at Sainsburys

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=293950

jap200

Lyndsay_21 wrote:

what a brill idea never thought of that!!!

Check out Lidl etc. for cheap tins of travel sweets.

abijanzo

I think this could be an alternative organisation if the samaritanspurse ethics are questionable.

http://www.21stcenturychild.org/shoeBOX/index.htm
or this?
http://www.linkromania.co.uk/filling_a_box.htm

at least it will give people a choice anyway.

Lara

I went into a Martins shop today where they had little minature Father Christmas, Christmas Tree etc etc all in a little box and priced down from £1.99 to 19p!!! It isn't a town I normally go to but pleased I did as they are so titchy and take up so little room in the boxes. I have to say I was looking for tennis balls and needless to say didn't find any. the shop I've got these others from have sold out!!

After speaking to my friend she said to say to you all to try a market as they usually sell them on the dog stall of all places! She bought hers 5 for £1.

jap200 - thanks re tip for Lidl and travel sweets. I haven't one near me but am going to a friend's tomorrow and she has one local to her! So shall be making visit . I hadn't even thought about putting those in the boxes. Excellent! Thanks.