Christmas shoebox appeal

benbenandme

Has anyone else done a shoebox yet this year ???
I've just done ours with ds, he did one for a 4-7 yr old girl and I did one for a 12-15 year old girl. He is in reception so will take his to school with him tomorrow, I am a ta so will take mine to my school tomorrow too

In the one for the 4 yr old girl I put:

• a red polo shirt (40p in sale)
• a pack of kiddie makeup (90p in sale)
• a Little Miss stationery set (50p in sale)
• a foam animal face mask (was in a party bag)
• a Winnie the Pooh facemitt (50p in sale)
• a kiddies play camera (partybag)
• a pack of 4 felt-tips (free with a meal somewhere)
• a pack of 4 wax crayons (free with a meal somewhere)
• a pack of 12 colour pencils (19p in Asda)
• a make your own bracelet set (don't remember where from, has been in my pressie box for ages!)
• a set of Barbie stickers (10p in Clintons sale)

Total = £2.59

In the 12 yr old girl one I put:

• Beige pashmina (free from Comfort Creme)
• A white flannel (free from Dove)
• a small bar of soap (nicked from hotel)
• a lipgloss (one of a set that I didn't use)
• geometry set (49p in somerfield)
• a pack of 6 glitter gel pens (29p in sainsburys)
• various moisturiser / body wash etc samples (free from magazines)
• a purse (50p in sale)
• a pack of 10 felt tips (49p in somerfield)
• a pack of 12 colour pencils (49p in somerfield)
• a pedicure set (50p in tesco)
• an eeyore notebook (30p in sale)

Total = £3.06
Do they sound okay as I haven't done one before???

rosieben

they sound brilliant! dont think there's a scheme anywhere near here - do all schools do this?

webbie

They sound great - well done!!

I know they really value the pens, pencils and paper as often the boxes go to war countries with limited shops - and children often are not allowed to go to school until they can provide their own pens etc. My kids really put a lot of thought into theirs which I thought was lovely!!

benbenandme

lots of schools do or toddler groups. Our local schools are all doing them through the rotary who are collecting them all and sorting out the distribution. I think some churches do them too

denton6

They sound great,i love looking for all the things to put in them.My son has just got the leflet for samaritains purse from school on friday,dont think you can put t shirts in that one apart from hat,gloves and scarfs but maybe your is a different one.I have also got the leflets for the family shoebox appeal www.linkromania.co.uk i found out about this one from this site,these ones are for a family rather than just one person maybe worth a look on the site for those that dont have a one through school or church.Have decided my lot are gonna get one less present each this year and gonna make up an extra shoebox insteed they always get way to much anyway and they enjoy helping to wrap them up and come up with ideas.

benbenandme

Not sure now whether the t-shirt / pashmina should be in there ... the leaflet gives a list of items but I thought they were just suggestions ... it does say not to include large items of clothing, and scarf/gloves/hat are listed as acceptable, but I don't know whether that means they are the only things you're allowed to put in iyswim ???

jamtart6

Here is the thread we have been chatting about shoe boxes on since last xmas - it should provide a few ideas!!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=340661&highlight=christmas+shoebox

beemuzed

I think they sound lovely and will be very much appreciated I'm sure. I think this is a fabulous way for the children to realise how good giving can be.

thanksalot

Our school used to do them but doesn't anymore.
Shame really, I like involving the children in this and it is a good reminder to them that they are very privileged.

benbenandme

Thank you Jamtart, am just off to add some tissues to my boxes will definatly be on the lookout for more bargains next year too

Sallys_Savings

How about a shoebox challenge????

We have made up shoeboxes for years while my children were growing up and still do them every year now.

When the children were younger I paid for the items to go into the box and they paid the "administration/transport" money. Now they are older they all pay for their own items, oldest 20 yrs old and youngest 15 yrs.

Every year we have a little competition on who can make the best value/content box up. There are six of us in the family so it makes it a bit of fun (uummmm perhaps a just a little bit competitive;) )trying to come up with the best value items and a good variation of things in the box.

I thought that I'd end up making the boxes up now they are all older but they still all love making their own. My son arrived home on leave (in forces) last year and he proudly carried in his completed box. We always reveal them to the others on a Sunday tea time a week before they are too be collected. You'd be so surprised how much you can cram into each box...we have a top price limit of £5 a box.
I buy new items from car boots/sales throughout the year and cram in as much as possible.

We also add a family photo on a christmas card, when they were small perhaps a preloved item (second hand but immaculate that belonged to each child) and a homemade item into the box.

Over the years the children have made some lovely things to go into their boxes and still do it now even at their ages.. i.e. a paperbag puppet, felt fingerpuppets, a christmas decoration, blow football game, a book mark, egg cosy, friendship bracelet, decorated t shirt, height chart, pencil holder, pom pom spider, calendars, mini kite, cardboard jigsaw etc.

I'm always really chuffed with mine but then I see everyone elses and they've done even better lol.

My 20 year old son won the prize last year (a wrapped shoebox with masses of silver foil ribbon wrapped around lol)

Hope you all have lots of fun collecting bits for next year.