Why I Shop Year-round for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes or 3 Boxes for Under $7

If you read this blog, you know I like to shop year-round for my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  You might wonder why I work so hard to do that, so I decided I'd make 3 sample boxes with the deals I found throughout the year in 2016, and show the boxes one could make with that.  You can see I figured you could fill with the basics Three OCC Shoeboxes for $29 from Dollar Tree, and here's an example of a shopping trip I did from that list.  And that's a great option for those with limited budget who only want to shop at packing time.  However with shopping year-round one can save a lot of money and pack even nicer boxes!  I spent less than $7 to fill these three shoeboxes with items that would retail at over $100.


Here's a breakdown of how everything that went in, how much it was worth retail (some are best guess/I can remember, forgot to write everything down), and how much it cost:

Packing Three OCC Shoeboxes for Under $30 from Dollar Tree

If you read this blog, you know that I like to shop year-round for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes; picking up things as I find deals on them/they catch my eye. For an example of more of our normal boxes here are the ones we packed last year for: Girl 2-4 years, Boy 2-4 years, Girl 10-14 years, & Boy 10-14 years.    

But, not everyone is interested or able to do it that way, so I wanted to see what one could do if one just went to a dollar store, I picked Dollar Tree as they seem to be located pretty much everywhere in the USA.  I came up with a plan to fill 3 OCC shoeboxes for $29 from Dollar Tree.  I decided to test that plan and did some shopping at Dollar Tree.  



Here's what I got to fill 3 boxes, one for each age group of girls:

Example of an OCC Shoebox for a 5-9 Year Old Girl - 2016

Here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox we packed for a 5-9 year old girl this year.    This shoebox was 342 inches cubed, for comparison, a GO box is 306 inches cubed, so it's pretty close in size. 

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on boxes from this year for: Girl 2-4 years,   Boy 2-4, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14.

NOTE:  Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in an OCC shoebox due to customs, and 2016 is the last year for candy in the USA.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:

Example of an OCC Shoebox for a 5-9 Year Old Boy - 2016

Here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox we packed for a 5-9 year old boy this year.  This one we packed in an OCC GO box, we use a variety of types of shoeboxes.  

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on boxes from this year for: Girl 2-4 ,   Boy 2-4, Girl 5-9, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14.

NOTE:  Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in an OCC shoebox due to customs, and this is the last year for candy in the USA.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:

Example of an OCC Shoebox for Boy 2-4 Years Old - 2016

Here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox my aunt packed for a 2-4 year old boy this year.    This shoebox was 360 inches cubed, for comparison, a GO box is 306 inches cubed, so it's pretty close in size.   Here's one of the 2-4 boy OCC shoeboxes she packed in 2015.  

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on boxes from this year for: Girl 2-4 years,  Girl 5-9, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14.

NOTE:  Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in a shoebox due to customs, and this is the last year for candy & toothpaste from the USA.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:

Example of an OCC Shoebox for a 2-4 Year Old Girl - 2016

Here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox my mom packed for a 2-4 girl this year.  I thought I'd share what she put in in case it was of interest to others.  This shoebox was 348 inches cubed, for comparison, a GO box is 306 in3, so it's pretty close in size.   Here's one of the 2-4 girl shoeboxes she packed in 2015.  

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on OCC shoeboxes from this year for: Boy 2-4 , Girl 5-9, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14.

NOTE:  Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox due to customs, and this is the last year for candy.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the OCC shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:

Kid's shoebox packing party for Operation Christmas Child

This year I organized the Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing party for the kids at our church.  I thought I'd share some info on how I did it/it went incase that would help someone else with their organizing.

First I made a plan of what I could afford to pack, with some donations I was able to add a few more items.  I was trying to fill 48 with a budget of $500, including shipping.  Here's a picture of what went in the boxes:

     

 

What went in the boxes/budget:

Hygiene Kit  ($19.47 + tax) …worth $51.63 + tax

• Combs ($2.19) …worth $2.19

Crayon Brands Heat Stress Test ~ Will They Melt in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox?

There's a great variety of prices of crayons, especially at back to school sale time from fifty cents down to a penny.  So many choices...how to choose!  We want to send nice things to the children in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, but we don't want to spend money just to get a name brand.  So I decided to do some tests on various crayon brands from my local stores.  (This post contains marked affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, that is how I afford the time to write these posts, and do these tests)

We tested five crayon brands for both coloring quality and resistance to heat (that they might experience in transit).  The brands we tested were Crayola, which you can normally get for $0.50 at Walmart & Dollar General during back to school sales,  Cra-Z-Art, normally $0.25 during back-to-school sales at Walmart,  Playskool which can be found at Dollar Tree (affiliate) and other dollar stores for $1, and  Dollar General offers a brand I*Magine often 3 for $1 or $0.33/$0.34 a piece at Back-to-school sales.  Also at Office Depot I got some Scholastic brand for $0.01.   All those prices are for 24 count except Playskool that is 36.  For those who are concerned about manufacture location:  most are made in China, Crayola is made in the USA or Mexico, you'll have to check the package.

First, how do they color?

You can see images and thoughts of our coloring test post here: Crayon Brands Coloring Test

Second, how do they hold up to heat?

UPDATE: Just wanted to be clear, OCC USA, encourage us to send them. They do not have any brand preferences, and has not had problems with any melting.  So, this is just extra info if it is still something that worries you, or you want reassurance-my research shows most hold up quite well at expected transit/storage temperatures validating OCC USA's stance. 

My understanding is that Australia & New Zealand have had so many problems with crayons melting in OCC shoeboxes, that they've added them to the "do no send"

How to Pack a FULL OCC Go Box for a 10-14 Year Old Girl

One problem I run into when packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, is how to fit in everything I want to send.  A shoebox just doesn't seem to hold everything I want to give to the child.  Over the years I've learned some things to help me fit more things in, and love testing to figure out new ways to make things fit.  So I thought I'd share some things I've learned in case it could help someone else!  You can see in the photo at left everything I got in this one box.  Here's a list of what fit in (in no particular order):

1. Pencils-14
2. Puzzle

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Organization

If you would like to see some examples of Operation Christmas Child shoebox stockpile organization click the banner below.

What to Pack in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

All of the posts here at Simply Shoeboxes about what to pack in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox can be found by clicking this image:

How to Pack More into Less Space in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox ~ Guest Post

One of my greatest "trials" in packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes is fitting in everything I want to send-lol! So, I'm always trying to figure out how to get one more thing in. I love to hear other's ideas on the subject, and as there doesn't seem to be much out there on fitting more in OCC GO shoeboxes, I decided to start a series of posts on it. The first is a guest post I asked Amy Lukens to write!

How to Pack More into Less

You Really Can Fit a Lot into the Preprinted Boxes.

By Amy Lukens

Just as any of you reading this, packing shoeboxes is my passion. I am an Operation Christmas Child Area Coordinator in the Upper Midwest Region and have been packing shoeboxes for over 15 years. Lots of practice and natural spatial awareness have helped me to figure out ways to pack a lot in a little shoebox.

Before I go any further, I want to point out that this is how I pack my boxes. It is not the “right” way to pack. God has placed certain items on my heart to pack or not pack. He may have placed different items on your heart and that is perfect. The shoeboxes go to a variety of children with different needs and wants. Also I do pack mostly in OCC’s Preprinted boxes, but I will also pack a slightly larger box if needed. Certain items like teenage boy’s tennis shoes will not fit into the Preprinted boxes no matter how much you try. I will pack a little larger box such as a 6qt plastic box if necessary.

Here is how I pack my shoeboxes:

1. Remove packaging!

Clearance Deals for OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 9/3/2016

 I got some fun items for my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at Dollar General's 50% off clearance last weekend:

I also found sum "summer" toys on (unmarked) clearance 75% off at CVS-so 75 cents a piece.

I also forgot to include this photo last week.  I found these at Walgreens 90% off for 69 cents a piece. I know that's more than say the 17 cent lined paper notebooks at Walmart, but these were so nice, I thought it would be worth more-almost a WOW item for some of my 10-14 year old girl shoeboxes.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $7.29

Spent from gift cards  I earned or won online: $4

Added to stockpile:

• 9 water bottles
• 1 Lego type kit
• 6 sheet stickers
• 1 construction vehicle toy
• 4 sets jacks (could be split into 8 sets if needed-1 ball and 8 jacks each)
• 1 yo-yo
• 3 nice journals

If you are interested in tips for packing, check out our series of Tips for Packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Slow Week for Our OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 8/28/2016

I picked up another package of of the cute toddler baseballs on clearance at CVS.

I picked up a package of envelopes from Walmart to add to the oldest age group's boxes.

I got some mechanical pencils free at CVS.

I was able to hit a couple Dollar Generals to take advantage of their 50% off all clearance deal.

I also picked up some items for the shoeboxes I'm tasked with shopping for a packing party with the kids at my church...posted some of that on the Simply Shoe Box Facebook page.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $6.30

Spent from gift cards I have earned or won online: $5.95

Added to stockpile:

• 5 toddler baseball
• Package of envelopes
• Package of mechanical pencils
• 4 water bottles
• Decorative pencil
• Package of whistles
• 2 packages of stickers
• 2 Lego type kits

We have shared several ideas on Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Organization for those of you interested.

Crayon Brands Coloring Test for Consideration in Packing In Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

At this time of year there are a great variety of prices of crayons at back to school sales:  from fifty cents to as inexpensive as a penny.  So many choices...how to choose!  We want to send nice things to the children in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, but we don't want to spend money just to get a name on the box.  So I decided to do some tests.

We tested five brands for both coloring quality and resistance to heat (that they might experience in transit).  The brands we tested were Crayola, which you can normally get for $0.50 at Walmart & Dollar General during back to school sales,  Cra-Z-Art, normally $0.25 during back-to-school sales at Walmart,  Playskool which can be found at Dollar Tree and other dollar stores for $1, and  Dollar General offers a brand I*Magine often 3 for $1 or $0.33/$0.34 a piece at Back-to-school sales.  Also at Office Depot I got some Scholastic brand for $0.01.   All those prices are for 24 count except Playskool that is 36.  For those who are concerned about manufacture location:  most are made in China, Crayola is made in the USA or Mexico, you'll have to check the package.  (This post contains marked affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links)

Now crayons exact make up may change from year to year, or from batch to batch, especially cheaper ones that may have less stringent controls, but this is the best info we can give you.

Edit to note: these were tested in 2016-how different brands make things can change over time.

First, how do they color?

Everyone has different preferences in coloring tools.  For instance, I prefer gel pens and hate ball point pens, but other members of my family like ball point and don't

School Supplies & Clearance for OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 8/20/2016

My sister and I both were able to stop and pick up the penny deals at Office Depot, I only got a photo of mine, though, but we got double of this for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I'm waiting to decide on whether or not to send this brand of crayons until I do some more tests on it's quality.  UPDATE:  we did a melt and coloring test on several brands of crayons.  Find them here:  Crayon Brands Review.  This brand melted the most easily so we donated them locally instead of packing them in our shoeboxes.

I stopped by Dollar General and picked up a few of the Summer toys marked 40% off...they rang up 66% off (no clue why).  So I picked up some more, then when I went to another one and picked up a couple things to test the clearance, and it wasn't on clearance at all! ...odd!!



I also picked up some of these cute toddler baseballs 50% off at CVS

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $10.71

Spent from gift cards earned or won online: $3.74

Added to stockpile:

• 16 jump ropes
• 1 par work gloves
• 1 butterfly toy
• 1 kite string 
• 5 toddler baseballs
• 60 pens
• 6 pencils sharpeners

If you are wondering what other types of things to pack in a shoebox check out this post:  Filler Items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

School Supplies for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 8/13/2016

My sister and I were both able to stop by Dollar General and use their digital coupon for $5 off $20 school supplies for sale items, so ended up with all this for our Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing.

My sister had just signed up for Dollar General digital coupons, and got a $1 off any $1.01 purchase, used it to pick up a pack of combs and a jump rope that was 40% off with the other summer toys.  These are both great for my 10 to 14 year old girl shoeboxes.

We also both stopped at Office Depot and both picked up the poly notebooks and mini boxes (for fishing kits).  Check out two ways to fit a spiral notebook in an OCC shoebox.

I also stopped by Mighty Dollar to pick up some more of those super cute foam animal puzzles I found last week.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $40.12

Added to stockpile:

• 40 boxes of 24 Crayola Crayons
• 13 boxes of 12 Crayola colored pencils 
• 14 packs of 18 pencils
• 1 pack of 3 combs
• 1 jumpropes 
• 6 mini boxes
• 6 poly notebooks
• 4 sets of foam animal puzzles (8 animals per set plus 2 scenes)

We include crayons in almost every Operation Christmas Child shoebox we pack and wondered which were best.  We did some comparisons in both coloring and melting.  You can find them both here:  Crayon Brand Reviews.

Online Orders & More for OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 8/6/2016

I did a couple orders online for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that I got in the last week.

First, from Amazon I got these toothbrush holders ( Medline Toothbrush Holders, 72 count)  I'm really happy with them as they seem to hold all different kinds of toothbrushes I've got deals on. I was even able to fit two of the cheaper ones in!  I like to try to send more expensive ones (that I get on sale with coupons, see Simply CVS for more info on how I do that) when possible as I hope they're last longer then cheaper ones, and as I can often get them for around $0.25 a piece for nice name brand ones, I thought it was worth it.

From Dollar Tree I ordered these (Plastic Snack Containers with Lock-Top Lids, 3-ct. Packs) fellow packers recommended for soap cases. I really like them, they even have a seal which I hope will keep the scent in.

I was really happy about being able to get these cases as that's something I really wanted to add to my boxes this year.  With so many of the children getting boxes living in poor houses with nowhere clean to store them or in refugee camps, or orphanages where they have to share washrooms, it just seemed like something good to add if I could


I stopped at Office Depot after church to get some of the penny and quarter deals.

My sister was also able to stop and get more of the quarter deals.

I had an $8 ECB I'd got at CVS from buying oral care items for shoeboxes that was going to expire, so I picked up four of these $2.50 T-shirts for the 10-14 year boy shoeboxes, as they were still on our needed list...we're getting really close to everything we need for the year...still picking up fun stuff as we find it though-more to shove in our boxes this year, or a start for next year.

When I stopped by Mighty Dollar to pick up something we needed, I saw this, decided to pick up one to check it out-they turned out to be really cute!!!  Jungle and ice scenes, lion, gorilla, polar bear, walrus, two penguins, and a mama and young elephant.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $4.33

Spent from gift cards earned or that I won online: $46.48

Added to stockpile:

• 72 toothbrush cases
• 72 cases to use for soap
• 6 magic marker 10 packs
• 9 erasers 
• 3 composition books
• 72 pens (red & black)
• 4 t-shirts
• 8 foam puzzle animals

You can check out different types of shoeboxes to use for packing in this post:  What Type of Box to Pack for Operation Christmas Child.

School Supplies for OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 7/30/2016

I stopped by Office Depot on my way home from church and picked up some penny deals and the colored pencils for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes:

My sister was able to stop by Office Depot and get three more packs of the colored pencils.

I had a beauty club (that I got in part from my Ivory deal) ECB that was going to expire, so I picked up two of the 4/$10 T-shirts for free!  I also got a free Lollipop with another transaction [UPDATE 2017--candy no longer allowed]:

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $3.30

Added to stockpile:

• 3 school supply boxes
• 18 mechanical pencils
• 3 packs index cards
• 6 packs colored pencils
• 2 T-shirts
• 1 lollipop 

Check out our Colored Pencil Brand Test to compare brands for your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Dozens of Items for our OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 7/23/2016

After church on Sunday I did some Operation Christmas Child shoebox shopping.  First, I stopped at Office Depot to get some of the penny deals (got the paper with the rebate to get up to the $5 minimum purchase).  We use the paper in our Handmade Coloring Books or Sketch Pads.

Then I ran to Dollar Tree to take advantage of their 10% off deal-I picked up the rest of the things I needed to pack sample shoeboxes based on my "3 OCC shoeboxes for $29 from Dollar Tree" blog post-got some cute things!  Plus a ball pump.

Also, I forgot to post last week that we got in on the Kmart washcloth deal, unfortunately with white washcloths-but at $0.03 a piece instead of $0.50+, couldn't pass it up!

We got an email from Kmart saying we'd get any reward points we used (up to $20, with restrictions), so I used my washcloth rewards (plus a few more) to get the below, I don't think I quite got all my points back, some must have been on clearance or something, but still a good deal, now just to be sure to use the bonus points before they expire 7/30.

Stopped by Hobby Lobby to check for the reported 80% off clearance.  I found these foam gliders, it worked out to 30 cents a glider

I also ran into Mighty Dollar to pick up some supper cute things we'd seen and Mom wanted to get while we could for next year's 2 to 4 year old girl boxes, plus I picked up a few more math kits for next year.

Also, we realized through a tip that the scissors weren't the ones Office Depot advertised, so we emailed to say we were disappointed it wasn't the same, and they gave us a partial refund, so that helps the packing budget! :)

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $45.11

Added to stockpile:

• 3 pencil sharpeners
• 3 spiral notebooks
• 3 pencil cases
• 9 erasers
• 1 ball pump
• 3 lined notebooks
• 2 plain pads of paper
• 1 coloring book
• 4 eraser & sharpener combos
• 4 pens
• 12 pencils
• 6 stencils
• 1 pack of crayons
• 3 combs
• 3 toothbrushes & holders
• 4 washcloths
• 3 balls
• 1 puzzle
• 1 bag marbles
• 1 waterbottle
• 1 totebag
• multible hair bands
• 1 board book
• 4 prisims 
• 1 baby doll
• 10 stuffed animals
• 10 pulling toys
• 3 math sets
• 6 gliders
• 1 Dinosaur
• 1 Hotwheel Track 

We include a stuffed animal or doll in each box we pack.  Want to know why?  You can read our thoughts here:  Why We Include a Stuffed Animal in All of Our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Office Depot Sales for OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 7/16/2016

Everything we got this week for the Operation Christmas Child "Shoebox Stockpile" came from Office Depot this week.

From the loss leaders this week - pencils and pencil cases for a penny and crayons for a quarter

I got in on the 50 cent scissor deal while it was going on-I also had a $10 off $50, as I had to get $35 for free shipping anyhow, I got more.  So,  I got them for like $0.21 instead of like $2.20 a pair!  It's enough for a few years-but at such a good deal I thought it was worth getting ahead.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $43.56

Added to stockpile:

• 3 pencil cases
• 3 dozen pencils
• 3 packs Crayola
• 200 scissors 

Wondering what the best brands of crayons are for Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing?  Check out our posts on Crayon Brand Coloring & Melting Tests.

Hygiene & Toys for OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 7/9/2016

I got some needed, and some fun things this week for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

My biggest purchase was hygiene items at CVS (for more info on saving money shopping at CVS, check out my other blog Simply CVS.  They had two deals I took advantage of:

• IVORY BAR SOAP-buy 1 get one half off-spend $30 get $10 ECB with the coupons I had, it worked out to $0.22 a bar.
• ORAL-B TOOTHBRUSH 2 or 4 count get $4 ECB back, I found this 2 pack for $4.99, so about $0.50 per toothbrush, not the best price, but nice toothbrushes, and I feel the better the toothbrush the longer it'll last.

I also stopped by Dollar General-found a couple small Lego type kits on clearance, and found this Lincoln Log type kit as part of the 3 day sale 50% off, so it was $5.  Now, it's too big to fit in one box, but it includes 3 buildings, so I plan to build them, then bag them in three sets (with picture and instructions) which should make a fun, but able to fit, toy for 3 little 2 to 4 year old boys or girls.

Finally, saw these eraser pencil grips at a local dollar store, and decided to buy them for most of our 2-4 year old shoeboxes, thought it might help little hands learning to write.

Went back to the dollar store later in the week found this shirt, these 2 packs of flip-flops (originally $5.99) some extra ball inflating needles, cute Gund stuffed animals, and a cute friendship bracelet kit-has a little hardback instruction book, plus some floss and charms.

It has a big empty place in the back-plan to fill it with floss, beads, and other supplies to save room and make it even better! :)

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $20.48

Spent from gift cards I earned or I won online: $30.29

Added to stockpile:

• 80 bars Ivory soap
• 4 Oral-B toothbrushes
• 2 Lego type kits
• 1 Lincoln Logs type kit (plan to split between 3 boxes)
• 24 Eraser pencil grips

Each Saturday Sarah shares our additions to our OCC stockpile.  You can see the whole series here:  Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ Adding to Our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile.