Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child

(Guest post by Natalie Grimm)

I love the Christmas season. All the joy, anticipation, family events, calories... the celebrating of Advent, Christ's coming. Of course let's not forget the whole getting gifts part either. Everyone I know likes receiving presents every now and then, and as a person who enjoys giving gifts, there's equally just as much joy in planning, and shopping for those items for that particular person. And for me, during the Christmas season, I get to "reach out" to a child who wouldn't normally receive a Christmas gift through the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. Paige asked me to share a bit about how I go about packing and shopping for my boxes, so here's the breakdown, starting with what to pack:

Hygienic Items (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Wash Cloth, Bars of Soap, Brush/Comb,Hair Accessories, Chapstick).

This little girl's box held colorful ponytails, socks, bright hairclips, a brush,
a pink jump rope, and several school supplies and other necessities.

School and Art Supplies (Notepads/books,Coloring Books, Crayons, Colored Pencils, Pencil Sharpeners, Erasers, Pencils, Play-Dough, Pencils Bags/Holders, and Stickers)

The Fun Stuff! (Dolls, Stuffed Animals,Balls, Jump Ropes, Puzzles, T-Shirts, Flip-Flops, Socks, Sunglasses, 

Play Jewelry, Hot Wheel Cars/Trucks/Trains, Blocks, Slinky, Mini Etch A Sketch, Glow Sticks,and Other Small Toys)

Hard Candy (IndividuallyWrapped)

A small note or card with some encouraging words and reminders that you're praying for that child who received your box (plus the shipping fee, $7 via check or online, in which case you can track your package) 

And a Few of My Cutting the Cost Tips...

Your dentist is probably more than happy to throw in a second free toothbrush/toothpaste in that take-home baggie, which you can include in a shoebox.

Collect school supplies during the back to school sales (tax free day especially). You can get boxes of crayons, erasers, pencils, etc. for less than a dollar.

Keep an eye out for fun toys and t-shirts at Target when they go on sale. (Usually when you first walk in there's a mini section of trinkets that they're selling for $1, $2.... up to $5, and there are special 

sales of course after the various holidays throughout the year) 

Check out the dollar store and see what they have as well. For instance, I picked up that bag of Ring Pops (4 per bag, each one was individually wrapped as well, which is perfect) and my tupperware box 

while there (which is practical since it can be used for storage later on).

Buy in bulk. Certain items such as bouncy balls, play dough, pencils, and erasers can be bought in bulk either during the back to school sales or at your local party planning store, which can then be divided into more than one box.

And then I usually like to splurge a little on a couple of items (usually the toys) ;) Which yeah, I know it's not cost effective necessarily, but I think it's nice to have a couple of "nicer" items too. For instance, one year I snagged a couple of mini lego sets for less than $5, which is pretty good when you consider that one of those 

is usually double that amount.

The main thing though, is to be shopping all year round when there are sales and to just store it all until packing week, speaking of which, after Christmas sales are headed around the corner for us, and the "inner elf" in us should be preparing for next year now!