We have been participating in Operation Christmas Child for a number of years and it has become somewhat of a family tradition!
How Many Boxes to Pack:
We usually pack one box for every child that we have in our family. Each box packed corresponds to the age/gender of our own children. Since the kids get to help select the gifts, I thought it would only be fitting for them to select gifts for children the same age/gender as themselves. So, this year we planned on packing four boxes for boys age 5-9 and one box for a girl age 5-9.
Packing an Additional Box:
However, somehow over the years, it never dawned on me to pack a box in honor of my precious child in heaven! So, this year we are packing six boxes instead of five! Since the age/gender that receives the least number of gifts are boys age 10-14, I decided that the box packed in honor of the child I miscarried would be for a child in this group.
Seeing the Children:
Before we started packing, the kids and I gathered around the computer and watched a few videos about Operation Christmas Child. It just blesses my heart to see the children in the videos so thankful for the smallest things! We watched one video where a boy was thrilled about receiving a toothbrush! Oh, how much we take for granted!
Aside from Lejla’s story (you can watch it on my other OCC post), the video shown below is one of my favorites. The boy in the video just makes me smile…and he hasn’t even opened his box yet!
Writing the Children:
After watching videos, we wrote letters to the children receiving our boxes. We downloaded the printable from the Samaritan’s Purse website (Click on “Print Art” and select the “Coloring Page.”) Below one of my 5 year olds just completed his picture of himself…glasses and all! {grins}
Packing Our Boxes:
Next, it was time to pack! I sorted all of our goodies out on a table…
…and we all got busy packing our boxes!
Here is a list of everything that we included in our boxes:
|
SCHOOL |
TOYS |
TOILETRIES |
MISC |
| pencils | paddle ball | washcloths | craft items |
| colored pencils | race cars | toothbrushes | hairbows |
| markers | slinkies | toothpaste | headbands |
| notebooks | tennis balls | soap | bracelets |
| writing pads | yoyo’s | brushes | Pick and Draw |
| crayons | jump ropes | combs | modeling clay |
| pens | jax | flashlights | |
| pencil sharpeners | dominoes | batteries | |
| games | candy | ||
| card games | socks | ||
| etch sketch | baseball hats | ||
| stamps | |||
| wristbands | |||
| stickers |
Packing Pick and Draw:
One of the things that I am most excited about including in our boxes this year are Pick and Draw games! Pick and Draw has brought lots of joy and laughter to my kids and I pray that it brings the same joy and laughter to the kids who receive these games in our OCC boxes! Want to know more about Pick and Draw, be sure to read my Pick and Draw review! (FYI, Pick and Draw games are currently on sale! Purchase your first game at regular price $10 and all additional games purchased are only $8).
Praying for the Children:
Once the boxes were all strategically packed so we could actually snap the lids on, we prayed for the children who will be receiving our boxes!
On a side note, I just love how the boxes look with the bandanas as wrapping paper!
A Last Minute Addition:
A day or two after our boxes were all packed up, one of my 5 year olds came to me with his favorite stuffed dog, Sam. He had decided that he wanted to give his beloved puppy to “a kid that wouldn’t get any Christmas presents!” Melted my heart! So, together we opened his OCC box and squeezed Sam inside!
Next Steps:
Wonder Why?
Wonder why we participate in Operation Christmas Child? Wonder why we decided to use plastic boxes? Wonder why we “wrapped” the box bandanas? Click the images below…
Attention Bloggers: Please join in and help spread the word about this amazing organization by blogging about your Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts and linking up your post(s) below!
Disclosure: As a member of the iHomeschool Network’s Samaritan’s Purse Blogger Team, I write about the ministry on a volunteer basis. All posts are my own thoughts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Samaritan’s Purse. I am not on employee, agent, or contractor of Samaritan’s Purse.
