Divide & Conquer: Preparing for 2015 Operation Christmas Child Collection Part 2

For years we have shopped and picked up whatever bargains or fun things we could find and then divided the goods by age group when we packed our Operation Christmas Child.  We knew shoeboxes for 10 to 14 year old boys were the least received so we tried to lean heavily in their direction when purchasing items.  There were also several items that we always put in each box, but beyond that we would fill the shoeboxes with whatever we had.  This year I wanted to do it a little different. I wanted to "divide and conquer."

I discussed it with family members and they agreed.  We would each choose one age group and gender and be in charge of making a list of items we wanted to include. This way it wasn't so much "my" project, but "our" project.  It would be a simple way to divide the decisions of what is important for each group.  Each packer will make the final decision for their group and it won't matter that we
may all have different ideas.  We won't have to think about the other ages and genders, only our own.

I was a little apprehensive about each of us enjoying the group we would be in charge of; but the dividing went perfectly! My husband has always enjoyed packing the 10 to 14 year old boys so I said he should do those.  I, obviously, love making my little dresses for the 2 to 4 year old girls--so I chose them.

My husband's cousin asked which age was packed for the most.  We explained 5 to 9 received the most, with 10 to 14 year old boys the least and 2 to 4 year old boys the next least.  She said she loved little boys so would love to be in charge of their boxes.  My daughter has always liked making stationery packets for the 10 to 14 year old girls so I asked her if that would be a group she would enjoy and she agreed to conquer those.

That leaves out the 5 to 9 year olds completely.  But, we often find special items that lead to theme boxes and are leaving the door open to squeeze in a couple for 5 to 9 year olds that way.  And my husband picked up some lovely 5 to 9 year old girl size t-shirts before we decided this and I will use those to  make t-shirt dresses or skirts to match and will pack them, too, even tho they are out of my age range.

I look forward to focusing on one age group.  It will be less decisions and more crafting for me!  I have so many ideas for crafting for "my girls."  I think 80% of their boxes will be hand made.  At least that's my plan.  And as Crafting for Shoe Boxes always says, Happiness Is Handmade!  [It sure brings me Happiness crafting for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox girls, I hope it brings them just as much.]