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HELP! Thinking of doing a christmas box

BusinessStudent
Posts: 3,679 Forumite
in Charities
Hello All.
Im thinking of doing one of them christmas box for the kiddies abroad but I know I wont be able to stop myself buying quality expensive stuff .
For instance I couldn't face geting a scarf and tat from poundland and would rather buy it from M&S - just like i would if i was buying it for myself.
Good Lord ..Please advise
Im thinking of doing one of them christmas box for the kiddies abroad but I know I wont be able to stop myself buying quality expensive stuff .
For instance I couldn't face geting a scarf and tat from poundland and would rather buy it from M&S - just like i would if i was buying it for myself.
Good Lord ..Please advise
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Comments
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what about working out how much you would spend on a scarf from M&S, then spend the same amount on getting several cheep scarves and help more kidsBest wins in 2013 £200 and Mini iPad. 2014 no wins. 2015 2 nights 5* hotel with £300 vouchers plus £1150 Harrods gift card
Rehome an unwanted prize or gift with a seriously ill child through Postpals.co.uk0 -
Oh dear... really, they aren't going to care AT ALL. honestly, that would be the biggest waste of money ever. They won't even notice the quality, probably be more concerned if they like the colour, if they are even bothered. MOre likely they'll just be glad not to have freezing rain and wind down their necks on the 5 mile walk to school...
Just imagine your quality M&S scarf caked in mud and dribble after a year of not being washed ... that'll get you grabbing the 100% acrylic ones!!! And remember, if they do get washed every now and then, that posh scarf will get ruined after a thorough scrubbing with river water and a gritty sliver of soap. Come on be realistic! They just need to be warm, it doesn't matter what they look like!!
(i don't mean to be rude - you sounded like you wanted a kick up the backside!)
I agree with vikki - if you can afford a posh box, then make a few non-posh ones instead, much better.0 -
My ds has had poundland hats scarves and gloves and loves them and really all kids will do is get them dirty. And think of all the other stuff you can put in if you get the cheaper versions. I always put writing books and encils and little stationery bits in aswell. These poor kids will be grateful for whatever they get so the cost doen't really matter.0
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Also depending on their situation there may be unscrupulous adults in the community or even other kids who might see a money-making opportunity in quality stuff, and steal the stuff of them.
Either way though I think you'll have to be fairly speedy now, our school and church boxes have already been collected.I've been lucky, I'll be lucky again. ~ Bette Davis0 -
i know what your trying to say but really them kids couldnt care less wether its a prada or a poundland !!!
there gratefull for anything so dont feel guilty by not buying a name brand feel content knowing ur helping someone0 -
I think your post is lovely :j and reflects the love and care of this kind of giving. There is a difference between giving things we don't want/need any more to a charity (which is excellent in its own way) and going out with the express purpose of buying/making things especially for the recipient. I do agree with the previous posters to some extent re doing more boxes for the same money but then again one or two really special items can really make the box a wonderful gift.
I've been volunteering for a few hours over the last few weeks checking the shoeboxes and sealing them with customs tape for the charity 'Samaritans Purse' (have a look at their website) that sends shoe boxes to many countries. I know there are other charities that do this too. Each shoebox has to be checked individually to ensure that no banned items are in it (you'd be amazed at the number of banned items like chocolate we find). If a banned item is found in one box by customs at the accepting country it can mean the whole lorry load are turned away or impossibly high import duty charged (which the charity can't afford) as they assume if one box has banned item they all will! Also it ensures that every child gets a box that has lots of lovely presents in as a few people seem to think (despite instructions to the contrary) that it is a chance to get rid of old, worn clothes and toys without adding anything really special. The most depressing boxes to check are the ones that contain a couple of battered toys and an old very worn hat and nothing else! Fortunately, the packing warehouse where I have been volunteering has an army of people who knit and save items throughout the year to add to boxes like that so that one child doesn't get a half full box of tat while the child next to him/her gets a wonderful box stuffed with all new items. It is sometimes hard though, as there is a great variety of quantity and quality of gifts. Some of the boxes are absolutely packed with gorgeous gifts that even the most privileged child in this country would be thrilled to own.
Having had the experience of seeing the contents of so many boxes I can honestly say that what I think is important is that your box reflects the love and care you put in to chosing items rather than monetary value. Quaility is important in so far as the items are fit for the purpose and will last as long as possible. That is not to say that everything has to come from M&S though!
You can find amazing bargains if you hunt round and can save by buying from supermarkets own brands for toileteries e.g. toothpaste (Tesco/Asda 21p). I do think colouring pencils and felt pens are worth buying the slightly better quality that last a bit longer rather than the really cheap ones as the children will treasure them! They are often desperately short of paper so pads of paper, colouring books etc are really great and can be bought cheaply! Same goes for combs, small toys, trinkets etc.
At our warehouse we always made sure every box had a cuddly toy (even ones for the older children) as people who had travelled out with boxes previously have always reported how much the children loved owning their own soft toy and how much comfort it gave them. Tennis or bouncy balls are also very popular apparently! The children also love getting a card from you and treasure photos of the givers.
Maybe you could think about doing a box with as many bargains as possible but allow yourself to choose one more expensive item as a special gift. It is lovely to imagine the joy a needy child will get when they see your gift! Whatever you decide, you do need to hurry as the final date for many places has already passed and I think all need to be finished by the end of this week!
I really enjoyed being involved in checking the boxes (and making a couple of my own too). I got far more pleasure out of doing this than I would have thought possible, it was a real privilege to be part of it, so thanks to everyone who has donated a box already!
Good luck:beer:“A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles.”
(Tim Cahill)0
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