Two years ago, I participated in Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox gifting program – a wonderful way to share the love and joy of Christmas with needy children around the world.
My son was only 8 months old at the time, so it was just me filling two boxes (one for a boy, one for a girl). But he enjoyed crawling around on the floor when I volunteered at a local collection station for an hour (another way you can participate)! It’s never too early to include your children in giving to others!
This year, our toddler was fully engaged in the build-a-box project! We talked about how some children don’t have toys like he does. About how Christmas is about giving. We could help by giving toys to a little boy just like him. (We’ll continue to develop the theme of giving and Christ’s birth as the greatest gift throughout the holiday season).
I said, “We’re going to fill a box with toys for a little boy.” To which he replied, “And a girl, too?” How could I say no? Now THAT is the spirit of giving I want him to have always!
I pushed the cart through the store, piling up items on either side of him for two children. He kept calling them, “My boy,” and “My girl.”
“Mommy, my boy would like that car toy, my boy would like it,” he would say, pointing to this or that item. He would have bought out the entire toy section if he could!
Filling a shoebox is easy (and fun!) – pick an age range and gender, and grab a shoe box. I like to use plastic shoe storage boxes so they hold up better in shipping. Plus I figure the child can use them to keep things in afterwards.
You can wrap the outside of the box (but leave it open) to be more festive. Include a note and a photo of your family for the child who receives your box. One year my sister even got a letter back from her child! You can keep track of what country your box ends up in via their online tracking system – which is really cool!
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a branch of Samaritan’s Purse ministries. Their website is full of information about how to build a box and drop it at a collection center. They even have a list of suggested items for kids!
Build-a-box is a hands-on way to teach children about generosity, compassion, and kindness, while at the same time doing something authentic to solidify that message for your children.
How do you teach your kids about giving and compassion?
This holiday season build a box with your family to teach kindness, compassion, and generosity.
BlogFrog will match the first 200 boxes that are built. Pledge your commitment below to build a box today on Facebook or Twitter!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Operation Christmas Child. The opinions and text are all mine.
