It is that time of year and we are getting excited about our Operation Christmas Child boxes! It has become a tradition with my kids that we have come to love! (Wondering what Operation Christmas Child is all about? Check out my post explaining the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Operation Christmas Child!)
By this time of the year have have a pretty good sized collection of leftover shoe boxes…you know, the cardboard ones that shoes come in! {grins} Well, as I began to check my growing collection this year, I decided to make a change! This year, we have decided on buying plastic storage boxes to use for our OCC boxes rather than our leftover shoe boxes.
Why plastic storage bins?
Many of the children that will be receiving these gifts are in need of everyday materials! Who knows how valuable the plastic container could be to a child or family in need. The plastic storage box could not only be used for storage, but it could become a lunchbox, a mixing bowl, a water basin, a shovel…
(FYI: The 6qt plastic boxes can be purchased on Amazon, but I purchased mine at a hardware store for $1 each.)
What about you…paper or plastic? And Why?
Stay tuned for my next Operation Christmas Child post explaining how we are decorating our plastic OCC boxes!
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.
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Mama Jenn
Thanks for the insight! We actually used cardboard shoeboxes this year!
Mama Jenn
Thank you for your insight and wisdom! This year we packed cardboard shoeboxes based on the feedback I have gotten here on my blog!
Erica1982
The plastic boxes crack and shatter. I know they feel sturdy, but they have no give to survive the riggers of travel.
Mama Jenn
Thanks for this information! I need to update the post to reflect this information!
Sue Dohnim
I’ve worked at an OCC shoebox processing center for two seasons (where shoeboxes are opened, checked for contents, taped, then packed into a carton for shipping for distribution.) A plastic box seems like a good idea — until you see them coming out completely shattered and unusable; everything needs to be repacked, and guess what is used for the repacking? Cardboard.
Some people pack in the rubber-type boxes; these do not shatter nor crack. Instead of packing in a plastic box, consider packing items in a plastic container INSIDE a cardboard box. You know those plastic containers lunch meat comes in? Or sour cream? Or soft margarine? Or larger items? Put your crayons, pencils, sewing kit, whatever into the smaller container, then pack that in the larger box.
Also — a shoebox sized tool box (hard plastic or rubber), fishing box, or sewing box can also be used as long as it is near the size of a standard shoebox and any handles can be folded flat.
Mama Jenn
Hi Sue,
Thanks for this information! I love the idea of packing useable containers INSIDE the box! Great idea! I will definitely do this next year!!
Sherry Hill
I have been trying to find a plastic container that would not break but is the right size 11.250 x 6 by 4.50 and haven’t found that size. Is there a brand or size that seems to come through better than others?
Sherry Hill
I have been trying to find a plastic container that would not break but is the right size 11.250 x 6 by 4.50 and haven’t found that size. Is there a brand or size that seems to come through better than others?
Sue Dohnim
I don’t know a specific brand or store to suggest. Look for “rubber” (flexible, tough) type bins instead of “plastic” (stiff, brittle). Think of what would stand up to freezing weather — the “plastic” type will break.
A typical shoebox size is equal to a 6-quart container. Remember, the dimensions accepted by OCC are not written in stone — as long as it’s near the size of a “typical” shoebox, it’s good. (Some people have packed in boot boxes — much larger than the standard shoebox. They still get processed; they still are delivered to children. They just throw off the count per carton when combined with others.) We also saw a few boxes that looked like they were intended to be a tool box. Don’t know where to find them — they were wonderful, tough, and oh-so-practical.
On my last shift at the OCC Processing center, I was the person who added the tape before the box was placed in a carton up with other boxes. Before I got them, the boxes had been opened to check for donations; they had been inspected for any non-acceptable items. Then they were passed to me. I was to wrap OCC tape once around each box to keep them shut during transport.
The brittle plastic boxes (even if they were still whole — many had already been repaired) were difficult to wrap — the lids don’t stay on easily if they are full, and they are just a bit big for an ordinary person to hold them shut (top and bottom) to wrap that tape. The “rubber” type bins — which usually have some stronger closing system (handles that latch) — were easier to tape.
A GREAT non-plastic type of box that I handled was the photo box. I have seen them for sale at Michael’s 7/$10. They are already decorated, top and bottom. They have very square corners (unlike many plastic bins). They fit nicely in the hand for taping. They are easy to pack, easy to handle, stronger than most shoeboxes, and would make a nice addition in any child’s home. I do not work for Michael’s — I’m sure these boxes can be found elsewhere (dollar store?)
Sue Dohnim
I don’t know a specific brand or store to suggest. Look for “rubber” (flexible, tough) type bins instead of “plastic” (stiff, brittle). Think of what would stand up to freezing weather — the “plastic” type will break.
A typical shoebox size is equal to a 6-quart container. Remember, the dimensions accepted by OCC are not written in stone — as long as it’s near the size of a “typical” shoebox, it’s good. (Some people have packed in boot boxes — much larger than the standard shoebox. They still get processed; they still are delivered to children. They just throw off the count per carton when combined with others.) We also saw a few boxes that looked like they were intended to be a tool box. Don’t know where to find them — they were wonderful, tough, and oh-so-practical.
On my last shift at the OCC Processing center, I was the person who added the tape before the box was placed in a carton up with other boxes. Before I got them, the boxes had been opened to check for donations; they had been inspected for any non-acceptable items. Then they were passed to me. I was to wrap OCC tape once around each box to keep them shut during transport.
The brittle plastic boxes (even if they were still whole — many had already been repaired) were difficult to wrap — the lids don’t stay on easily if they are full, and they are just a bit big for an ordinary person to hold them shut (top and bottom) to wrap that tape. The “rubber” type bins — which usually have some stronger closing system (handles that latch) — were easier to tape.
A GREAT non-plastic type of box that I handled was the photo box. I have seen them for sale at Michael’s 7/$10. They are already decorated, top and bottom. They have very square corners (unlike many plastic bins). They fit nicely in the hand for taping. They are easy to pack, easy to handle, stronger than most shoeboxes, and would make a nice addition in any child’s home. I do not work for Michael’s — I’m sure these boxes can be found elsewhere (dollar store?)
Carol
Just back from an afternoon at the Processing Center, where many plastic boxes has to be sent to the “Hospital” because they were broken even before taking their final journey to the children. Great idea that they can reuse them, but if they are broken they are not of use and they could cut little fingers with the broken plastic.
GO pre-printed boxes are the way to go! Uniform size makes them fit the cartons more easily, and ensures that there are enough boxes for every child invited to the distribution.
Mama Jenn
Thanks Carol! Good to know!! Are the GO pre-printed boxes that you are referring to the pre-printed Operation Christmas Child boxes? For future reference, do you know how one can obtain those?
Carol
Yes, Mama Jenn. Those are the ones. They are available online from http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
at a cost of approx. .45 per box, depending on your zip code. We call them GO boxes because each box is a gospel opportunity.
Carol
Yes, Mama Jenn. Those are the ones. They are available online from http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
at a cost of approx. .45 per box, depending on your zip code. We call them GO boxes because each box is a gospel opportunity.
Mama Jenn
Thanks so much Carol! Hopefully next year I can plan ahead and purchase GO boxes to use instead! Thanks for explaining what the GO meant! I had no idea!
Karla Teague
I’ve always used cardboard because we do 32 boxes every year and can get the cardboard ones donated, instead of buying 32 plastic boxes. After hearing that the plastic ones often end up in the “shoebox hospital” at the distribution centers, it was just one more reason to stick with the traditional.
Last year (2012) we were given 2 rolls of decorated duct tape and wrapped 3 boxes per roll. It added strength to the box and was pretty cute too. If I were going to buy the duct tape though, I’d probably stick to colored, not decorated, because you get twice as much tape.
Mama Jenn
Love the duct tape idea! That IS a great way to add durability to the cardboard boxes!! Thanks for sharing!
Mama Jenn
Thanks for sharing Lauren!
Lauren
We used plastic for many years for the same reasons listed until I spoke with an area rep who visited a processing plant. She said the majority of the plastic boxes end up cracked and they have to tape them up. In addition, they can fit more of their cardboard shoe boxes into the large shipping containers than plastic boxes. This saves them a bundle in shipping. I’ll ask my contact again for those figures if anyone is interested.
Mama Jenn
I totally agree! How exciting to be looking forward to a brand new baby!!!
Mama Jenn
Oh, great idea buying them just after Christmas! I think I will do the same this year in preparation for OCC 20113! Thanks for sharing!!
Belindas_Buzz
We have always used plastic. We buy the boxes right after Christmas, so the lid colors are just right!
Mystie Winckler
We switched to plastic last year because I was told many families who receive them use them for carrying water. Might as well make the container a part of the gift! I just turned in our families’ shoebox donation early as I’ll have a brand new baby during collection week. 🙂
TheBargainBabe
Plastic here too! Started doing plastic boxes a few years ago. You can typically get them for $1 or even less at a back-to-school type sale. They are durable and the child can store their treasures in them, or like you said, use it as a mixing bowl, lunchbox, or shovel!
Mama Jenn
Exactly!
Rachel Bentley Ramey
We do plastic, for the same reason. I figure that the plastic box itself may be appreciated, while the paper one is likely to fall apart fairly quickly, due to the elements.
Mama Jenn
Totally agree! Love the idea of lining the plastic bin! I will be soon be sharing about how we will “wrap” our boxes!
Chelle
We switched to plastic for this same reason. Another bonus is that instead of wrapping we just line it with a cute piece of tissue paper. So much easier than trying to wrap a box and lid.
Mama Jenn
You will be so glad that you did!
Demetria
Thanks- this is something I’ve been meaning to give attention to for many years and will finally have the push I need to do it!