I’m completely convinced that giving back to people whether that be with a thoughtful note, big batch of cookies, or small gift is one of the best ways you can make a difference in not only the world, but also in yourself.
Something amazing happens when you selflessly help others.
A quick “I love you,” a sincere “I’m here for you,” a random card in the mail, or a hug to someone who really needs it has more power than you realize.
Another great way to give this year is through Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan’s Purse organization that delivers shoe boxes packed with small gifts to needy children around the world.
But first I want to show you something.
Watch this boy’s reaction to getting an OCC shoe box.
How to Pack Operation Christmas Child Boxes on a Budget
I’ve decided this year that I want to fill 5 Operation Christmas Child Boxes. The catch is my budget is only $100 for all five. When you calculate the shipping costs of $7 per box I’m left with $65 or $13 per box.
I want to stuff these boxes full of fun and practical goodness and make some kids happy.
Here’s my plan to pack these boxes on a budget.
Shop at the Dollar Tree – You’ll see below that a lot of the things I’m packing in my boxes came from the Dollar Tree. Buy personal hygiene products, small toys, coloring books, and other school supplies.
Take Inventory of What You Already Have – Do you have toothpaste samples lying around the house? Extra bars of soap? Clothing that your kids have never worn? Look at everything you already have and see if there’s anything you can incorporate in your box.
Scope Out the Clearance Sections – I was able to get a couple of nicer toys at K-mart that were already marked down plus an additional 40% off on clearance. Start checking clearance sections when you go shopping.
Know that Whatever You Give Will be Appreciated – These boxes are going to kids who don’t have a lot. Know that what you give will be appreciated. You don’t have to spend a ton of money.
I decided to do 2 boxes for boys ages 10-14 (they get the least amount), 1 box for a boy age 2-4, 1 box for a girl ages 2-4, and 1 box for a girl age 5-9.
The Dollar Tree
Here’s what I bought from the Dollar Tree:
- 2 3pks Toothbrush and Toothbrush Holder @ $1 – $2
- 2 Hairbrushes @ $1 – $2
- 1 Blue Stuffed Animal – $1
- 2 Deodorants @ $1 – $2
- 2 3pks Dial Soap @ $1 – $2
- 3 Coloring Books @ $1 – $3
- 3 Boxes of Crayons @ $1 – $3
- 3 Notepads @ $1 – $3
- 3 pks of pencils @ $1 – $3
- 2 pks of pens @ $1 – $2
- 2 pks of Dominoes @ $1 – $2
- 2 2pks of Playing Cards @ $1 – $2
- 2 6 packs of Tissues @ $1 – $2
- 2 Flashlights @ $1 – $2
- 2 Tape Measures @ $1 – $2
- 2 Interchangeable Screw Driver @ $1 – $2
- 2 pks of Jolly Ranches @ $1 – $2
- 1 bag Double Bubble – $1
- 3 Hair Accessories @ $1 – $3
Dollar Tree Total with Tax – $43.97
Family Dollar
- 5 Wash Cloths @ .50 – $2.50
- 5 pks. Toothpaste @ $1 – $5
- 2 Stuffed Animals @ $2 – $4
- 2 70 pc Screw Set @ $1.25 – $2.50
- 1 Baby Doll – $3
Family Dollar Total with Tax – $18.23
Other Stores
- 3 Pencil Sharpeners @ .50 – $1.50 (Dollar General)
- 2 Angry Birds Balls @ .75 – $1.50 (K-Mart)
- 1 Fish Game – $2 (K-Mart)
- 1 Ball and Glove – $1.25 (K-Mart)
Total with Tax – $6.70
(I also put a t-shirt that the girls have never worn into the girls ages 2-4 box.)
Total for All 5 Boxes – $68.90
These boxes are jam packed and I barely went over budget!
But I have to say the very best part of doing this was probably Kailyn’s reaction. She and I watched a lot of the YouTube videos showing little girls her age receiving these boxes. She was instantly asking if it’d be okay if we went and got those little girls so they could ride her bus and be in her class.
She started going through her toys wanting to give all of her stuff away. (She seemed most worried that the little girls wouldn’t have socks. So if I do another box I think I’ll definitely add socks to the list!)
She also made a card to go in the 5-9 year old girl box.
Ava, while fascinated with the boxes, didn’t quite grip the concept of giving. She just wanted to make sure that she’ll get one of these boxes for her birthday!
All in all it was a fun project for us to do, a great way for me to once again realize how lucky I am to be living my life, and was another easy way for us to give back!
If you’re interested in participating in Operation Christmas Child this year you can find out more here.
And if you’re stumped for ideas or want to learn more about the program here are some of the blog posts around the web that can help:
- What to Pack for 10-14 Year Old Boys
- 100 Shoe Box Ideas for a Girl
- 100 Shoe Box Ideas for a Boy
- Operation Christmas Child Boxes Processing Center
- The Shoebox Challenge
(If you have a post about Operation Christmas Child on your blog let me know and I’ll link it up.)
Linked up on Thrifty Thursday
We love Operation Christmas Child!!! My daughter and I have volunteered at a processing center in our area for years and we collect things all year via clearance and sales to put in our shoeboxes. I wrote an article with pictures about our experience volunteering in the processing center: http://www.zujava.com/samaritans-purse-operation-christmas-child. The article shows what happens to your shoebox once it arrives at the processing center.
I just linked up to your article! I love seeing what goes in the processing center and think that it’s great that you volunteer.
Next year I’ll definitely be scoping out the clearance sections all year long.
Cool idea, and I love that your daughter got involved. Even if she doesn’t completely “get it,” the idea of giving vs. receiving is a powerful one!
Definitely. Hopefully next year she’ll get it a little more.
I am so glad we have connected – I just love the ideas you share! Operation Christmas Child is truly one of biggest passions. I packed 3 shoeboxes my first year. This year, for my 30th birthday, my goal is to pack 30 boxes. I shop all year long, hit up clearance racks, shamelessly ask for help (just this week my dentist’s office donated 20 toothbrushes when I told them about what I was doing) and sacrifice every available inch of closet space to store my treasures. It makes me so, so happy – and it is such a remarkable way to get my children involved in serving in a hands-on way. It was one of my very first weekly service challenges on my blog: http://www.letsdosomegoodtoday.com/2014/09/04/65/. Thanks for sharing – I love to see what others are doing.
30 boxes is awesome! Hopefully I can get there one day. I’m going to start shopping much, much earlier next year though. And it is an amazing way to get kids involved in giving. Kailyn just loves it. I’m hoping that next year the idea will sink in more with Ava.
A great time to shop is early January. A lot of Christmas items are 75-90% off. 🙂 Good luck!
I’ve never even heard of this before! What an amazing operation. I think I’ll have to look into more and maybe I can find a way to participate (on my tight budget). Thanks for sharing!
Kayla – it’s such an amazing program! If you think you can spare $15, you can pack a shoebox (if you get creative). Check out clearance racks for small toys. You can ask around – I have friends donate their “leftover” Halloween candy (things that won’t melt, like suckers and jawbreakers). If you ask your dentist, you can likely get free samples of toothbrushes and toothpaste. If you know anyone who travels for work, ask them to bring back their free hotel soap (preferable something without a strong smell). JoAnns and Michaels have lots of fun craft items (like stickers) for $1 – bring in a 50% off coupon if you have one. There are tons of great ideas out there! Good luck!
Hotel soap! That’s another great idea. My Grandma used to keep a HUGE box full of soap she brought back from hotels. I’ll have to tell everyone to keep theirs for me.
What a great idea! We usually give locally to a “Tree of Sharing” type of thing through the Salvation Army. But perhaps we will change our tradition. Obviously these children have much less and we could spread Christmas cheer to many more children on the same budget. Thanks for tips!
I think giving locally is a great thing to do too. It’s just that since there are not a whole lot of programs where I live the need in the community is usually filled. Like for instance last year my brothers ex-wife took part in the Christmas gift programs for low income for her children and they ended up with around 50 gifts a piece, it was insane!!
This is a great list of ideas!! I honestly would never have thought of donating the mass amount of freebie toothpaste I have on hand!
I’m going to start signing up for all the samples so I can amass a big pile of stuff to put in the boxes next year. 🙂
Great ideas. I love that your kids are involved in donating. What a wonderful cause. Thanks for sharing your tips. I think it would be fun to include some homemade items to the boxes.
I haven’t seen any kid that excited about a present in a long time! This is a fabulous idea, and one that I think we just might do for Christmas next year (this year we’re donating a tree for The Festival of Trees in our city).
We also pack boxes for older boys as this is the least-donated demographic.
I’ve had good luck at the clearance section of Walgreens – specifically finding backpacks for $5 or less.
Our family dentist sends each patient home with a “goodie” bag which includes a toothbrush and toothpaste. I save these to include in the OCC boxes.
What a great idea! I love that your daughters got so involved in the process too. And, I’m impressed you were able to pack the boxes with such wonderful gifts for only $68–that’s fantastic.
Hi, I am visiting from the Frugal Friday Link Up Party! I have never even heard of this charity foundation Operation Christmas Child. I love giving to needy children. I was poverty struck as a child. ( My mother was a single parent with 6 children) I enjoy giving during the holiday season. I am loving this idea for giving. Thanks for sharing.
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Good. I love that your kids are involved in donating. What a wonderful cause. Thanks for sharing your tips. I think it would be fun to include some homemade items to the boxes.