Is anyone else starting along this track yet?
In fact most of our children have been working on the Christmas Presents they make each year for each other and are making reasonable progress.
One of the ideas we want to use this year is to be involved in the Operation Christmas Child. This is the Australian link but you can get other countries links from here too. Now we have know about this for a few years, but usually leave it too late to try to put things together. As each item in the shoebox needs to be new, it requires a little forward planning and budgeting to allow for this.
In to each shoe box that you cover beautifully in wrapping paper, there is a list of items for a child to have.
The idea is to pack one or more things in the box from the list below for a boy or girl or a particular age group:
- SOMETHING TO LOVE
Teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc. - SOMETHING FOR SCHOOL
Exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk, etc. - SOMETHING TO WEAR
T-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals, thongs, etc. - SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH
Tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind up torch, etc. (No battery operated items)* - SOMETHING FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE
Soap and face washer, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, hair-clips, scrunchies, etc.(No toothpaste)* - SOMETHING SPECIAL
Carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, craft kits, stickers, note or photo of yourself.
Perhaps if you are not already involved in a Christmas Appeal project you might be interested in looking into this one!
Blessings to you and your homes,
10 comments:
I have. Its always great to snag little things, like books asap. I love Santa & The Little Teddy Bear by Peter John Lucking as a stocking stuffer.
Oh Gae I have been thinking of Christmas this yr and told dh let us just do a good food stocking Christmas and no gifts . reading & sharing , have the kids put on a program for the family would be nice .
I like the idea of operation Christmas Child very much ! hoping Canada must have this too .
I do want to sew our grandson a pair of moccassins for Christmas but truly that has been the only gift I can think really needed .
I just saw the pumpkin with rosary pic ! I like that !
since being off fb I've done sewing , baking & fixing up my homeschool blog . feeling more Mum time was in order around here and it worked ☺
Thanks Gae for all Your inspiration .
rox
Hello Gae,
It's been too long since I've popped over. Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments. I've missed coming over (via bloggy land).
We love the shoe box Christmas idea for children. This year we are sending our boxes to Mexico.
Our kids have such fun picking out all the goodies to enclose.
I just noticed your baby counter!!!! Congratulations. Did I miss that some how? How exciting!! When are you due? I will have to scroll down and see where you posted it.
Maybe I already saw it but have forgotten. Can you tell my mind has been busy busy busy?
Miss talking with you~ Cinnamon
We have always struggled just to get Christmas for our five children. Perhaps this year now that four of them are out of the house they may want to share one "family" between the five of them. It would be nice for them to give towards the box rather than give to each other. Thank for the inspiration.
Hi Gae,
We've done Operation Christmas Child for years now. My kids each liked to do a shoebox on their own. I think it's a wonderful idea and good training in helping and thinking of others. My married children are continuing with it as well.
God bless,
Anne
We have been talking Christmas but I said no serious thoughts about Christmas until after Thanksgiving. So, now that Thanksgiving is officialy over for us Canadians it is time to start focusing on Christmas. Thanks for the reminder. ~Alana~
Gae, first congratulations on the wee one that will soon join your family! What a wonderful little blessing!
I think Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful organization. This year, we are planning to help a local family here in our community. The boys are always excited to share (with strangers, not necessarily each other). Still the lessons earned are priceless.
I am mostly just in the “planning” stage for Christmas. I want to enjoy the fall and Thanksgiving, without rushing into the Christmas frenzy. But if I don’t at least begin some plans my personal frenzy is for bigger! LOL So I have my list started and a few gifts made. The neighbors/aunts and such will be getting gift baskets with homemade pickles, jelly, and candles; something similar for Granny, only with additional items, maybe kitchen towels, cookies, and a small gift certificate.
For the grown kids the guys are getting a wonderful book I found, the girls will receive a basket of candles and I am not sure what else. I found a digital keychain, that is priced right and I think they would enjoy being able to load their family pictures. The grands will receive one clothing outfit along with something else (depending on age).
That leaves the four boys here. Their list are kind of long….;) But here is the rule I am using:
Something you want,
Something you need.
Something to eat,
Something to read.
I love giving candles (of course I make them) and flashlights! After all, we are celebrating the Light of the World!
Now, all I have to do, is work this within my budget!!!
Praying all your plans come together in a very blessed way!
Sorry, this is so long!;)
Dear Ladies,
Thank you for sharing all your ideas with us as well. I look forward to planning this season so much and gleaning ideas from other talented ladies.
Dear Hip Chick,
Yes I understand your struggles with just getting through, we have this as well.
This year seems it might be as tight as last year. We only just managed with our boys helping us. That is why I am trying to start early to allow for the 'extra's' of this idea in our budget.
Here is what happened for us last year
if you are interested
http://cherishedheartsathome.blogspot.com/2009/11/true-meaning-of-christmas.html and http://cherishedheartsathome.blogspot.com/search/label/Poor%20Box%20Toys%20Inc
Blessings to all
Gae
Gae,
No, I have not heard of Operation Christmas Child. It looks like something that would be good for my kids at their age.
I haven't begin any Christmas preparations. well...I kinda buy all year round and put it in my closet. I will start working on my mom's christmas gift after Saint's Day is over. Too much for me to handle right now. I hope you are doing well. God bless.
Your commenters like Operation Christmas child too! I just read about this on another blog and it certainly sounds wonderful. we like to do something like this for Christmas, usually locally, but we will look into this. thank you for the tip!
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