Focus on the Family
Our friends at Focus on the Family put together this video about one family’s tradition of packing shoebox gifts with Operation Christmas Child. How can you start a shoebox tradition with your own family? Explore our resources below!
7 Ideas for Family Impact
Pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child as a family and double your impact. Teach your children about caring for others as the extend God’s love to a boy or girl in need.
Download 7 Ideas for Family Impact PDF
Veggie Tales
Operation Christmas Child and VeggieTales have teamed up to show kids around the world that they are special and loved by God. Just as the VeggieTales movie Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas reminds us that the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, shoebox gifts demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way and serve as an example of His greatest gift to us. Operation Christmas Child and the entire VeggieTales cast of Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas invite you to help send Good News and great joy to children around the world.
Click here for more information, including how to host your own showing of the movie during an Operation Christmas Child packing party and for fun activities such as VeggieTalks coloring pages.
Packing Parties
Gathering friends and family for a party is always a great idea, and it’s even better when the party also benefits children in need! You can host an Operation Christmas Child packing party for any reason at all, or you may want to “give up” a birthday or anniversary and ask guests to pack shoeboxes instead of bringing gifts for you. A packing party is also a great opportunity to share your faith with family, neighbors, and friends who don’t know Christ. Download this guide for helpful tips on how to get your own party started.
Save Cash and Get Crafty
On a budget? Your family doesn’t have to spend a lot to fill shoeboxes with quality items. Include Operation Christmas Child in your back-to-school shopping to get school supplies at great deals, or find holiday-themed toys discounted after the holiday has passed. Make homemade toys and crafts as a family to include in your shoebox. They cost a fraction of a purchased item and get your kids more involved in the giving process. We’ve gathered some crafts on our Pinterest boards that make great shoebox items for boys and girls. And don’t miss the collaborative Pinterest board from our thrifty blogging friends about how they save money when packing their own shoeboxes!
Discover the Destination of Your Shoebox
Did you know you can find out where your shoebox will end up? If you donate toward shipping and other project costs online, you will receive an email from Samaritan’s Purse telling you the destination country of your gift after it’s shipped! Looking up information about each country where your shoeboxes are delivered is a great way to teach kids geography. Take the first step to Follow Your Box today.
Shoebox Clubs
In 2012, our kid ambassador Evilyn Pinnow traveled the country to help raise awareness about Operation Christmas Child’s efforts to collect the 100 millionth shoebox gift. She has been packing shoeboxes since she was 8 years old and even started her own club to get her friends involved. Watch videos of her journey and download the guide she created to help you start your own Shoebox Club.
Resources
Downloadable Resources
Discover the stories behind Operation Christmas Child Watch our videos with your kids. Read our stories together at bedtime. Use our photos as prayer prompts. All will encourage your family with the importance of packing a shoebox.
