What To Purchase for Operation Christmas Child

Give back this holiday season with Operation Christmas Child.

It's the end of October and Operation Christmas Child is starting here in the United States. Operation Christmas Child is a perfect way for children and their families to help other children in other countries. Operation Christmas Child is often run through a church but you do not have to be a church member to participate. It's a great way to give back and help others. Last year was our first time participating and we are excited to participate again this year. Collection dates this year are November 13th-November 20th, 2017 and local drop-off locations can be found here.

I was happy to see our local Hobby Lobby store and others across the U.S., carried the clear plastic 6 quart shoe boxes with lids and a small brochure with information on Operation Christmas Child and what is appropriate to pack and send in the boxes.

Clear plastic clear boxes with lids, are not required but a great idea and perfect for the giftee to receive and reuse. Last year we used empty shoe boxes and wrapped them in Christmas wrapping paper but this year I plan on sending the plastic clear boxes which I'm hoping will hold more items and hold up better during shipping. Last year, the kids helped me wrap our shoe boxes and also chose many of the gift items we enclosed in the boxes. I had already had several items set aside but I took each of the kids to our local Dollar Tree and they were able to pick out their own items to enclose in their box.

What to Purchase for Operation Christmas Child

A wow item such as a doll or stuffed animal, an outfit or sports ball (uninflated with a pump).
Personal care items such as a comb, brush, washcloth and a new bar of soap: Dollar Tree is great for these personal care items!
Clothing and accessories such as a shirt or pair of pants, socks, underwear or flip-flops: check the clearance racks at big box stores during the off-season.
Crafts and activities like markers, pens, pencils, playdough, and stickers: a great time to purchase these items are during back to school sales and set them aside for Operation Christmas Child.
Small toys: Keep an eye out for after Christmas clearance and other sales. I don't recommend Dollar Tree toys and they are cheaply made.
Small personalized note and picture of your family. You may even want to include your address so the child can respond back.

As I stated before, many of these items can be purchased throughout the year on sale or at your local Dollar Tree Store. Dollar Tree is awesome for $1 bars of soap, wash cloths, fun toothbrushes and kids toothpaste.

Other items, I grab throughout the year and set aside. I love to shop and I am always on the look out for small items to add to our Operation Christmas Child Boxes.