Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes will be collected this year! Below are various links that give you additional information about OCC shoeboxes and ideas for what to pack, things to make and more! The links below are taken from different sites to be used for ideas as you plan your boxes.
Check out Holmes Baptist Association on Pinterest to see pictures and get tutorials for crafts, toys and more! Additional items will be added to the Pinterest boards as they are found. Scroll down on this page for ideas and go to our Pinterest page for these ideas and more!
Collection Dates: TBA
Pictures of these items listed below can be found on our Pinterest page.
Ideas of items to pack.
Ideas of items to pack.
- Water bottles/cups with lids (you can put smaller items inside of the bottles/cups)
- DIY Fishing Kits (many children fish to provide food for their families or to trade for goods that their families' needs). Include fishing line, hooks, corks, sinkers, etc... You can even put them in a decorated Altoids tin. Recommended for older children.
- DIY checkerboards and pieces (This can be made out of cloth or plastic. The checkers can be painted rocks, game pieces, buttons etc). This would be recommended for older children since there are small pieces.
- Tools for the older boys (Screwdriver with multiple bits, elastic cords with hooks, twine, pliers, etc that the boys can use to fix items). You can find these items at the Dollar Tree along with various other tools. Be sure that you do NOT include a knife.
- A toy map for the younger children to drive toy cars on. This can be made on cardboard and folded to fit into the box. Tip: Make sure your cardboard fits and then draw the map on it.
- Lego creations (individual projects). If you have children that would like to take some pieces and build a small item - take their picture holding their built item to include with the legos. The child receiving it can see what your child has built and then recreate it or something else. Recommended for the older children since there are small pieces.
- Necklace/bracelet making kits for older girls. Include the cord and beads needed to make the necklace or bracelet. There are packs of multiple beads you can buy at various stores. You can also purchase the small bags with closures that you can put the kit in. Or if you have the mint tins (Altoids) you can decoupage these with colorful paper and put the beads, etc in it. Recommended for the older children since there are small pieces.
- DIY pencil pouches (made out of cloth)
- DIY sewing kit- include thread, safety pins, needles, buttons, etc. You can also find pre-made kits at Dollar Tree sometimes. Recommended for the older children since there are small pieces and sewing needles. You can even include some fabric if you wish.
- DIY Tic-Tac-Toe kit (Use an Altoids tin - open it - inside the top (lid) draw out your tic-tac- toe pattern. Then you different colored small buttons to show the X's and O's. Recommended for the older children since there are small pieces.
- DIY pencil case - Use a thin baby wipe container. Decorate the top and you can put the pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, stickers, etc in this!
- Shower curtain or thin, small canvas. The child can use a shower curtain or small canvas to sit on if the ground is wet or to cover items when it rains. They may even need it to cover a hole in the roof. These items can be purchased at the Dollar Tree.
- Bandana/Scarf - when packing your shoebox instead of putting the tissue paper in the bottom, put a colorful bandana or scarf. This will be something they can use later on as well.