My last set of ideas come today for girls aged 10-14. I know I skipped the babies. Maybe after next year, I’ll have better ideas for the 2-4-year-olds!
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Operation Christmas Child Items for Girls 10-14 years old
- Coin purse – not sure – found them randomly on sale at Target $.97 or $1.94. This is an item I seen in all kinds of places. Always worth checking the girl’s accessories section at any kind of store.
- Samples – use things you get in the mail like makeup and tampons, soaps and hotel body care items (not liquids)
- scarf – after Christmas sale at Dollar Tree so $.50 each
- Jewelry – dollar tree, random clearance items throughout the year or after holidays. If it’s a necklace or bracelet and ring that go together, i try to put them in a snack size zipper baggie together. This just keeps the strings from getting tangled. (no one wants their tinsel in a tangle!)
- Thread – bought extra for a project – didn’t want to store and it was still wrapped in the packaging. This is not a place to get rid of the things you want to donate. These are gifts so make sure it’s in new packaging.
- Gloves, earmuffs, leg warmers – not going to lie some of these came from stocking gifts last year…I get new ones each year, and its not that cold where I am so I haven’t even taken tags off last year! Also end of winter sales, they get cheap! It’s hard to think about these items when you picture places like Africa or Mexico, but the gifts also go to Russia or other colder climates. And, in Africa, they get cold at 75 …so they wear mittens too.
- Eye masks, sewing kits, travel kits – all came from travel on airplanes and hotels
- Earrings, bracelets and rings as stated above – just after holiday sales year-round
- Chapstick/lip gloss – got cards of these – originally $3 for 6, ½ price after Christmas. Don’t worry about brands and they love the flavored stuff!
- Playing cards – got mine as ½ off stocking stuffers after Christmas they are 2 packs for $1 year-round at Dollar Tree
- Toothbrush – 6 for $1 at Dollar Tree
- Pencils and pens – gathered after each holiday. 10-12 for $.50 or less
- craft kits
- dollar spot fun items
I do kinda have this thing. If I give them toothbrushes, then I want to give them travel toothpaste…but i think that is now forbidden because of customs. What is not is a pencil sharpener. If you do not have pencil sharpeners is your boxes, make sure you take the time to sharpen the pencils the first time. Can you smell it now…the scent of a freshly sharpened pencil…
My Suggestions and General Rules for packing an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox
- keep it basic – your items don’t have to be extravagant
- try to find things $1 or less
- think about the kids receiving these – ethnic colored dolls might be appreciated and books in English may not be read
- anything is usable – the box is a gift, a cup is a gift, they may have never had a doll or a ball of their own
- give them new things, this is a gift
- cover all the categories – hygiene, school supplies, toys, clothing/accessories
- follow the “things to avoid” list
- always include a “wow” item
- include a personal note, make it special your words will mean so much
If you have not seen some of my other tips for packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, you might check out these posts.
- Why do I support Operation Christmas Child?
- General Tips for Packing an OCC Shoebox
- Shoebox Packing Items for a 5-9-year-old GIRL
- Shoebox Packing Items for a 10-14-year-old BOY
- Shoebox Packing Items for a 10-14-year-old GIRL
- Setting up and Hosting an OCC packing party
- How small businesses can participate in OCC
