Operation Christmas Child 2013

packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,
image source.

I loved working on my OCC boxes this year.  My 2 year old (Michael) even helped out a little this year with a box for a little boy his age.  If you'd like to see what I did last year, you can click here to read my post about that.

The national collection week is November 18th - 25th.  If you need to know where your local drop off is, you can go here.  I know that our local Chick-fil-a has a sign up that they are a drop off location.

You can use a plan shoebox and wrap it in Christmas wrapping paper or buy a plastic shoebox size tote.  You still have time to make a box.

If you think you don't have the time to physically pack a box, you can build a box online.  I haven't actually done it, but have looked over it and it is so easy to make a box without having to go to a store.  When you click on an item to add, a story pops up about a child who received this same type of item in an OCC box.  Looks like it's $30 a box and I'm assuming it includes the $7 shipping donation.

Update - November 3, 2017

Starting this year, the following items should NOT be packed in the OCC boxes: Candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

Here's the video that I made of Michael and I going shopping for our OCC boxes this year:

This past weekend I got the boxes all packed up so that my mom could take them home with her.  Here's what we got for the three boxes we made: 
packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,
Michael's box for a 2 -4 year old boy box:
  • Double bagged candy - blow pops, ring pop, spearmint and peppermint candies
  • Three Hot Wheel cars
  • Stuffed animal monkey from our little monkey
  • Pair of gloves
  • Paint booklet with the dry paint
  • Pencil
  • Cars go pack
  • Comb and brush
  • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse bag
  • Paint brushes
  • Silly puddy
  • Toothpaste
  • Tooth brush
  • Markers
  • Two pairs of socks
  • Rolled up coloring sheets with crayons
  • Winnie the Pooh plastic cup
  • Puzzle with a tin
  • Safety scissors
  • Wash clothe
  • Box of crayons
  • Travel size pack of tissues
  • Several Veggie Tales coloring/activity sheets
  • Notebook
packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,

I was not able to get the makers, notebook, and the puzzle to fit.  We also put some special coloring pages that I filled out for Michael since he can't write yet and a family picture.

packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,
 5 - 9 year old boy box:
  • Turtles go pack
  • Puzzle
  • Small bar of soap
  • Silly puddy
  • Double bagged candy - blow pops, ring pop, spearmint and peppermint candies
  • Pair of gloves
  • Wash clothe
  • Notebook
  • Toothpaste
  • Paint-by-numbers
  • Tooth brush
  • Christmas pen
  • Travel size pack of tissues
  • Comb and brush
  • Safety scissors
  • Winnie the Pooh plastic cup
  • Pencil
  • Markers
  • Jumbo eraser
  • Two pairs of socks
  • Box of crayons
  • Several Veggie Tales coloring/activity sheets
  • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse bag
packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,
I was able to get it all in the box!  I also wrote a letter and put that and a family picture in there.

packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,
5 - 9 year old girl:
  • Paint-by-numbers
  • Scrunchies
  • Stuffed dolly
  • Double bagged candy - blow pops, ring pop, spearmint and peppermint candies
  • Hairbrush
  • Travel size pack of tissues
  • Pencil
  • Markers
  • Pedicure kit
  • Mirror
  • Coloring book
  • Box of crayons
  • Wash clothe
  • Two pairs of socks
  • "I Love Jesus" bracelet
  • Disney princess bag
  • Nail files
  • Small bar of soap
  • Toothpaste
  • Tooth brush
  • Christmas pen
  • Pair of gloves
  • Jumbo eraser
  • Winnie the Pooh plastic cup
  • Puzzle
  • Safety scissors
  • Notebook
  • Several Veggie Tales coloring/activity sheets
packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, OCC box ideas, Operation Christmas Child,
I was unable to fit the notebook and the pedicure kit.  I also wrote a letter and put that and a family picture in there.  I was wanting to put pencil sharpeners in all the boxes, but could not find any this weekend.  Everyone else must have been shopping for stuff for their boxes or other Christmas charities gifts.

Hope this helps give you ideas to pack your own boxes.  I'm looking forward to doing this again next year!

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