what to put in a operation christmas child shoebox
I've been packing OCC shoeboxes with gifts that provide the greatest impact for xx years.
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ideas for a 10-fourteen Daughter
Operation Christmas Child: Life-Changing Shoebox Ideas for a 10-fourteen Girl
I've participated in Functioning Christmas Child ("OCC") for more than 2 decades but 2013 was the get-go year I decided to pack a shoebox for a 10-14-twelvemonth-old girl.
After reading articles about the unique struggles faced by young women in developing countries, I realized the life-changing touch a shoebox could have when packed with thoughtful gifts.
Why should I pack a shoebox for a 10-14 Girl?
Every year, the 10-14 age grouping consistently receives the fewest shoeboxes.
Information technology'due south like shooting fish in a barrel to shop for gifts we assume nearly piddling girls will like (pretty dolls, fluffy stuffed animals, anything pink and glittery) but the truth is, shopping for a immature adult female is even more fun and fulfilling.
What is Operation Christmas Child?
Founded by a couple in the UK in 1990, OCC made its first delivery — nine trucks packed with medical supplies, food, habiliment and gifts — to Romania following the country's violent anti-Communist revolution. Three years afterward, OCC was acquired by international relief organization Samaritan's Pocketbook and has since delivered more than 168 million shoeboxes to children effectually the world who have been affected by war, poverty, famine and natural disasters.
Samaritan's Pocketbook describes OCC as "a ways of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Adept News of Jesus Christ." Unless prohibited by the recipient country, a booklet most Christianity is added to each shoebox and the children who receive them are encouraged to participate in discipleship programs offered by local churches.
Everything You Demand to Pack the Perfect Shoebox
- Read my eBook! How to Pack a Life-Changing Shoebox For a x-xiv Girl
After updating this commodity for a decade (I beginning published it back in 2011!), I finally decided to expand upon it and write an eBook about packing impactful shoeboxes. Complimentary to read for Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers. - Souvenir Ideas for a 10-xiv Girl Operation Christmas Kid Shoebox
My Amazon Idea Listing has everything you demand to pack a life-changing OCC shoebox in one identify. Save money and increase your bear upon past ordering items in bulk and separating sets among multiple OCC shoeboxes.
Short on time? My Amazon Idea List has everything yous demand to pack a life-changing OCC shoebox in one identify. Click the link below to view my list!
Amazon Idea List: Gift Ideas for a 10-fourteen Girl Operation Christmas Child Shoebox
Intentionally Choose Durable, Plastic-Free Gifts With Minimal Packaging
When shopping for your shoebox, consider how the items you cull will impact the environment of the girl who receives them.
About every country that receives OCC shoeboxes struggles to safely dispose of its waste material. Places like India, Ghana and the Philippines lack proper waste material direction infrastructure then garbage piles up in makeshift landfills and children living nearby often scavenge through the hazardous trash to earn money.
The good news is that eco-friendly alternatives for common shoebox gifts are condign more affordable every solar day. For example, while plastic toothbrushes take hundreds of years to decompose, threaten wild fauna populations and release chemicals into the air as they interruption downwardly, bamboo toothbrushes toll the same (or less!) and are 100% biodegradable.
3 Ways to Make Your OCC Shoebox More Eco-Friendly
- Repurpose an existing cardboard shoebox. Plastic shoeboxes volition inevitably cease up in a landfill, local waterway or the ocean. Cardboard boxes, on the other mitt, intermission down naturally when no longer needed. Local shoe stores are an splendid source of cardboard shoeboxes if you don't already have i at home.
- Remove and recycle all packaging, labels, stickers and tags at dwelling house. Removing and recycling packaging costs cipher, prevents trash from polluting other countries and frees up extra infinite in your shoebox!
- Avoid plastic and polyester. Choose items made from organic, non-toxic, sustainable and/or biodegradable materials similar cotton fiber, linen, hemp, bamboo, cork and natural rubber. If something in your shoebox must be bagged (like a bar of soap), choose a reusable silicone storage bag.
2021 National Collection Week
Samaritan'southward Purse
Scroll to Proceed
Read More than From Holidappy
1. Personal Hygiene
Hundreds of millions of girls in low-income countries lack access to things many of u.s.a. take for granted, similar clean water, soap, toilets and feminine hygiene products. Co-ordinate to international organizations like UNICEF and WaterAid, girls who are able to safely and adequately manage their personal hygiene, peculiarly their periods, are more than probable to be healthy, educated and economically stable throughout their lives.
Including personal hygiene products in your shoebox helps girls reach their full potential by giving them the tools they demand to stay in school and preclude disease.
Acme 10 Personal Hygiene Gift Ideas For a 10-14 Girl
- reusable material pads — I include a few of these in every 10-fourteen Girl shoebox. Read more about the impact of reusable feminine hygiene products below.
- personal water filter — I include at least one of these in every shoebox, regardless of age group. Read more almost the clean water crisis below.
- balmy bar soap
- bamboo toothbrushes and 100% silk dental floss
- 100% cotton, linen or bamboo launder cloths
- natural lip balm
- colorful band-aids
- bamboo hair brushes and combs
- stainless steel tweezers, nail clippers and nail files
- natural loofahs
Reusable Menstrual Products
-
UNICEF: Wash in Schools Empowers Girls' Didactics in Fiji
A detailed look at the catamenia-related challenges immature women in Fiji face at schoolhouse and the bear on they have on girls' educational activity.
- Think Africa Press: No Pads, No School
An article about how the severe lack of menstrual pedagogy, sanitation facilities and affordable feminine products in Africa limits a girl's power to nourish school.
- Little House Living: Homemade Cloth Pads
A step-by-stride cloth pad sewing tutorial and complimentary pattern for those who want to DIY the reusable feminine hygiene products in their shoeboxes.
A girl holds her shoebox in Central Asia where admission to clean water is express.
Performance Christmas Child
Clean Water Products
Access to make clean water improves concrete and mental health and combats the cycle of poverty by allowing girls to spend more time in schoolhouse.
- H2o.org: H2o Facts
Illustrated statistics about the water-collecting responsibilities of women and children in developing countries and the impact those responsibilities have on girls' educational opportunities and independence.
- World Vision: Global H2o Crisis Facts, FAQs & How to Help
Answers to the about common questions about the clean water crunch and ways to go involved.
- The H2o Project: 10 Ways Clean Water Tin can Change the Earth
An informative infographic detailing the many ways access to clean water tin can alter our world.
A well-made stuffed animal is a guaranteed shoebox hitting regardless of age.
Performance Christmas Kid
2. Something To Love & Play With
I'thousand a huge advocate for packing Operation Christmas Kid shoeboxes with practical gifts like water filters, solar-powered lanterns and sewing kits — these things can change lives after all! But a daughter between the ages of x and fourteen is still a child, and the first thing she sees when she opens her shoebox should exist something that brings joy.
Regardless of age grouping, a durable, high-quality toy should be the foundation of your shoebox.
Top ten Toy Ideas For a 10-14 Girl Shoebox
- well-made blimp animals or dolls — A small, durable stuffed animal like a Beanie Boo is my become-to shoebox gift in this category. From everything I've read about OCC distributions effectually the earth, stuffed animals are e'er enthusiastically received, regardless of gender or age group.
- deflated soccer assurance with mini manual ball pumps — Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and it offers a potential (albeit long-shot) career opportunity for those who have the resource to practice and play.
- puzzles or games
- spring ropes
- picture books or pop-upward books
- small-scale kites
- boisterous assurance or hacky sacks
- apparel-up accessories like fairy wings, tiaras or play jewelry
- coloring books with crayons, colored pencils or markers
- hands-on kits that allow girls to brand or decorate their ain crafts
A girl lights the way with a candle while conveying her shoebox home in a village where electricity is scarce and unreliable.
Operation Christmas Child
3. School Supplies
In developing countries, providing girls with equal educational opportunities increases health and life expectancy, drastically reduces infant bloodshed rates and fuels economic growth for the entire land. Despite those well-researched benefits, 31 million girls are currently non attending school.
Educational barriers for girls in developing countries are socially, culturally and economically complex simply your shoebox can assistance! According to UNICEF, children are less likely to attend school when their families have to buy school supplies like notebooks and pencils and children who practise show upwardly to school without supplies are frequently turned abroad.
Including basic school supplies in your shoebox helps break the cycle of poverty by empowering girls to get the education they deserve.
Top 10 School-Related Gifts For 10-14 Girls
- solar-powered lanterns and flashlights — I include one of these in every shoebox, regardless of age group. Read more near how the lack of electricity in developing countries impacts educational opportunities below.
- durable writing utensils — Think long-term when shopping for school supplies. If you include pencils in your shoebox, add a sharpener or two also equally extra erasers. If you include mechanical pencils, pack lead refills. These things extend the life of your gift!
- notebooks
- solar-powered calculators
- small backpacks or tote bags
- pencil cases
- scissors
- wooden rulers
- mini chalk boards with chalk or mini dry-erase boards with markers
- math wink cards
Solar-powered lanterns give girls more fourth dimension to study in places where electricity is scarce and unreliable.
- The Dark Side of Educational activity
Millions of children have no access to electricity, leaving them to study by the dim calorie-free of kerosene lamps or garbage fires that threaten their wellness and safety.
1 child, one teacher, 1 volume, one pen can change the world.
— Malala Yousafzai, Activist for Women's Education
4. Something to Wear
Shoes and undergarments are often considered luxuries in the countries where Operation Christmas Child distributes shoeboxes. Nonprofits that provide bras and underwear to women in developing countries, like Free The Girls, Smalls For All and Oxfam, say these clothing items build girls' confidence and provide a greater sense of personal rubber. Similarly, shoes protect girls from parasitic diseases transmitted through contaminated soil and may be required as part of their schoolhouse compatible.
T-shirts, dresses and beautiful accessories make adept shoebox gifts, but durable, well-made shoes, bras and underwear can be game-changers for the girls who receive them.
Meridian 3 Habiliment Gift Ideas For a ten-14 Girl
While a sweater may brand the perfect souvenir in Serbia, a daughter in Malaysia may never accept a utilise for it. The post-obit items are useful for girls regardless of where your shoebox gets shipped. They besides have up very little infinite!
- 100% cotton underwear — I include a few pairs of underwear in every shoebox, regardless of age group or gender. For 10-fourteen Girl shoeboxes, cull underwear in children's size x/12 or adult small.
- sports bras — I include a sports bra in every 10-14 Girl shoebox because unlike traditional bras, they're designed to exist supportive during physical activity and to resist leaner. Not to mention they're mode easier to pack because they don't have an underwire!
- protective shoes — My personal favorite is The Shoe That Grows , a life-changing adjustable shoe adult by the non-turn a profit Because International. These shoes expand upwardly to five sizes, meaning they'll last for years, and they only toll $twenty!
Other Clothing and Accessory Gift Ideas
- t-shirts, long sleeve shirts or sleeveless tops (children's size x/12 or adult size xs/due south)
- dresses or skirts
- pajamas
- shorts, pants or leggings
- sneakers, sandals or flip flops
- baseball game caps or beanies
- gloves or scarves
- compact rain coats
- watches
- sunglasses
- jewelry
- barrettes, headbands or hair elastics
Angella, a 13-yr-old daughter from Malawi who received a shoebox herself the yr before this photo was taken, helps distribute gifts.
Performance Christmas Child
What NOT to include in an Performance Christmas Child Shoebox. From candy to toothpaste, customs regulations limit what you can transport overseas.
What Not to Include in Your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox
Just as important every bit what you should include in your shoebox is what you absolutely should Non pack. Increasingly strict customs regulations make it difficult for some things to cross international borders even though they may accept previously been allowed by Operation Christmas Kid.
Hither's what you should leave out of your shoebox:
- NO Nutrient — This includes processed, chocolate, fruit snacks & drink mixes. If you can consume or drink it, information technology shouldn't be in your shoebox.
- NO TOOTHPASTE — Both liquid and solid forms of toothpaste are a no-no.
- NO BREAKABLES
- NO MONEY
- NO WAR-RELATED TOYS — This includes safe knives, toy guns that resemble real guns and military machine activeness figures. Brightly colored mini squirt guns are allowed.
- NO LIQUIDS OR LOTIONS — This includes paint, glue, lip gloss, nail smooth and mascara.
- NO Droplets CONTAINERS
- NO MEDICINE OR VITAMINS
- NO SHARPS — This includes shaving razors, swiss army knives, saws or blades of any kind.
- NO USED OR DAMAGED ITEMS
- NO CAMOUFLAGE Wear — Practise not include anything that could make a child appear soldier-similar. Camouflage-patterned items like pens, notebooks and socks are allowed. Pink cover-up is also immune.
- NO MATCHES OR LIGHTERS
- NO SEEDS OR PLANTS
More Gift Ideas For a 10-fourteen Girl Shoebox
Sewing Kit
Sewing is a vital skill that allows girls to repair article of clothing or earn money for their families.
- needles
- thread
- cloth
- fabric scissors
- safety pins, direct pins and pin cushions
- buttons
- thimbles
- velcro or zippers
- record measures
- seam rippers
Arts & Crafts Supplies
Crafting allows girls to express their creativity.
- crayons, colored pencils or markers
- sketch pads or coloring books
- construction paper
- watercolor kit with pigment brushes
- beads and cords
- yarn and crochet hooks or knitting needles
- polymer dirt or Play-Doh
- stickers
- gum sticks, duck tape or washi record
- ribbon
Gardening Tools
Gardening tools let girls to grow nutrient or flowers. Practice non include seeds of any kind!
- outdoor gloves
- pocket-sized tools like trowels, rakes, cultivators and pruning shears
- knee pads
- mini spray bottles
- gardening aprons
Cooking Utensils
Small cookware and utensils aid girls feed themselves and their families.
- cooking utensils, forks and spoons
- mini frying pans or sauce pans
- potholders or oven mitts
- water bottles
- tupperware or lunchboxes
- plates and collapsible bowls
This content is accurate and true to the best of the writer's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Franchesca Westward
What gifts would you pack for a 10-14 girl?
Franchesca W (author) from Atlanta, GA on November 01, 2019:
That'south a great question given the scarcity of clean h2o in many of the areas where your shoebox may exist delivered. Reusable pads more often than not come in sets of 5 or more than, which provides coverage for the boilerplate length of an boilerplate flow. It's unlikely that your shoebox recipient will have the resource to clean her textile pads every solar day but providing a full prepare gives her the flexibility to wash them between periods when water is bachelor.
Harlee on October 31, 2019:
Are they able to launder cloth pads?
Margie Dillard on February 25, 2019:
Do cloth feminine pads need instructions when sent to other countries? If so, how do we ship these instructions in different languages?
Kevin Clouse on January 07, 2019:
When packing your items for shoe box. Paper-thin/strong paper boxes are better than the plastic tubs. While working at the sorting center, a large number of the plastic tubs came in broken and had to be repacked into cardboard shoe boxes.
Trina on December x, 2018:
I made bootleg jewelry kits including beads, charms, and string.
Linda on Dec 07, 2017:
I have been packing for OCC for several years. Our church building is a drib off center and this is the first year I was the i to be there to accept the boxes. What a approval! This year for the first time OCC had plastic (almost rubber) shoeboxes you could purchase. Cheque with the Drop off location. The toll isabout $one.50, and won't crack in the shipping as other plastic shoeboxes can. It'south a bargain and gives the added benefit of a container to use year round. Get to the Operation Christmas Child website for some peachy ideas! I suggest using the shoeboxes provided by OCC. fifteen of those will fit in the lesser of a shipping carton and plenty of room for more on top. The kick boxes and odd size shoeboxes are frequently used. Nonetheless, consider using the ones provided. The cardboard shoeboxes are complimentary of charge. More boxes sent per carton means less shipping fee which is already at $9 per shoebox. The simple gift of shopping, packing, giving and delivering your shoebox is the all-time souvenir y'all and your children will ever accept. Consider looking for special gifts and bargains all year round. Utilise your Vacation Bible Schoolhouse or Kids Clubs as venues to encourage the kids to give to others. And do not forget to Pray, Pray, Pray! for that child(ren) who will exist receiving your box(es) that they will detect the lasting gift of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Happy gifting!
Franchesca Westward (author) from Atlanta, GA on November xv, 2017:
Because the rules inverse recently and the images haven't yet been updated.
Melissa on November 13, 2017:
Why does it say NO toothpaste and then after information technology shows toothpaste? The same with processed.
Franchesca Due west (author) from Atlanta, GA on November 06, 2017:
@nswanburg77@gmail.com The shoebox should exist of "average" size. The boxes provided past Samaritan'south Pocketbook are quite small, like a shoebox y'all'd buy new flats or sandals in. I've used both those and larger boxes from hiking shoes. Extra large shoeboxes limit the number of gifts that tin be shipped in each large box which so increases shipping costs for the organization so I'd propose against annihilation too oversized. I'one thousand not sure about the floss picks but given that they are generally unmarried-use and made of plastic, I think regular floss is a more environmentally conscious idea.
nswanburg77@gmail.com on October 09, 2017:
I have wanted to do this for many, many years and I am finally going to go far happen this year! I take 6 cute kids and I am going to have each of them brand a special box for a child in each of the age/gender options. My youngest daughter is 9 years old (with Autism) and she is truly very excited to be giving a gift to another child that she gets to pick out all on her very own. I practise want to ask, does the "shoebox" have to exist a specific size? Can nosotros select a larger size plastic container from the dollar store? I know my kids, and they are going to want to send so many things that I am afraid it won't all fit. As well, the floss selection like things, are we allowed to send those? I'm request considering they have a sharp point similar a toothpick on one side. I admire everyone who participates with this program and I am looking forward to making this a family unit tradition for each of my children every year at Christmas. God Anoint!
Daphne on September 05, 2017:
The rules accept changed for 2017: delight do not pack any sort of food items (including processed) and do not pack toothpaste.
Deanna on July 17, 2017:
dear this plan. I e'er pack washcloth, soap, toothbrush combs, necklace, stuffed animal, slinky, hair wraps, sewing kits, crayons, colored pencils, pens markers, pocket-size note book, pillow cases, and I always utilize a plastic shoebox container you can become them for $1 and they can employ them for so many things.
Kim on November 03, 2016:
These are peachy ideas, thanks so much. I wasn't sure what to pack for a teenage girl until at present!
Akeba on December 12, 2015:
Menstural protection and washing products and include one fun thing for a child that is age approbiate.
Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on Nov 01, 2015:
I'one thousand back again! With the holidays budgeted I'1000 getting ready to make full my shoebox with items for young girls ages 5-ix. This is my first year participating and I want to get it right. I'm so excited!
Tee on Oct 27, 2015:
Just received info from a missionary where they recieve the shoe boxes. And she said she has been in several places that recieve the shoeboxes.
A few things to go along in.heed. the countries that they deliver also do not get cold weather and then no need for scarfs or gloves.
Barb Johnson from Alaska's Kenai Peninsula on October 01, 2015:
Some of the simplest and most applied ideas seem to escape us. Cheers for the informative article. Hope it encourages more than support.
Joyfulcrown on Dec 17, 2014:
I beloved Performance Christmas Child and what they practise for children. I encourage anyone who can to participate, it is worth it.
Sandy Mertens from Frozen Tundra on December 17, 2014:
This is such a wonderful idea. The best fourth dimension with the girls shoebox is at present.
Franchesca Westward (author) from Atlanta, GA on Dec 17, 2014:
@peachpurple & @LadyGuinevere: Information technology's not too late! If you live near i of Operation Christmas Kid's processing centers, they accept hand-delivered shoeboxes through the third week of December (this week!) -- and shoeboxes tin be mailed to the processing centers all year round! Information technology is also possible to build a shoebox online. You pick what you'd like to include and Samaritan's Purse volition brand information technology for you. :)
Debra Allen from Due west By God on December 17, 2014:
I am going to share this. Even if it might exist too late, I think it is never to late to go anykind of gifts such every bit these.
peachy from Home Sweet Home on December 17, 2014:
i would like to do that. Where can i participate? I want to send them some shoe box with gifts.
Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on December 17, 2014:
I would like to participate in this projection. Where would I ship the shoeboxes? First-class and informative article. I voted upwards, useful, awesome, beautiful and interesting. Happy to share this and thanks.
Mary from Cronulla NSW on December 16, 2014:
I was glad to read your extensive listing ideas wildsimplicity..we pack 1 up each year and sometimes run out of ideas..your list will help those of us that do..skilful job
Cheers
Marie Hurt from New Orleans, LA on December 16, 2014:
This is a really cool project and thoughtful. A good projection for children too. Nice of you to think of what the older children might need and what would brand them happy.
Kathleen Cochran from Atlanta, Georgia on December sixteen, 2014:
I but did a hub on this topic but yours is total of not bad information. Promise anyone who read mine will also read yours! Merry!
Merry Citarella from Oregon's Southern Coast on Nov 23, 2013:
Great lens with great suggestions!
Kirsti A. Dyer from Northern California on Nov 13, 2013:
Nifty thought.
chrisilouwho on November 09, 2013:
Those are wonderful ideas, some I wouldn't take e'er thought of, cheers!
Elsie Hagley from New Zealand on November 09, 2013:
Enjoyed this article very much.
I accept never heard of this before but like the thought of a child'south shoebox christmas souvenir.
Fifty-fifty learnt something, I never knew you could purchase reusable cloth menstrual pads, it brings back memories of when I first get-go my periods in early 1950's earlier tampax type came into use.
Virginia Allain from Central Florida on Nov 09, 2013:
Y'all've put a lot of thought into this. Very laudable.
Joebeducci on Nov 09, 2013:
What a expert initiative and a wonderful lens. I donate money, merely haven't done this before, possibly I should :) Greets, Joebeducci
tonyleather on November 08, 2013:
I love the practicality of the suggestions. Great lens!
Linda Jo Martin from Post Falls, Idaho, U.s.a. on November 08, 2013:
Our church is doing this too. Swell ideas, thank you!
siskiyoucowgirl on Nov 08, 2013:
This is an first-class lens and wonderful ideas for an older girls shoebox. My family and I beloved packing them every year. :) Thanks for sharing!
DebW07 on Nov 08, 2013:
Our church participates in this wonderful consequence every year. Great gift ideas and neat lens!
Source: https://holidappy.com/gift-ideas/operation-christmas-child-shoebox-girl-10-14
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