Ideas for homeless shoebox gift

[Frozenone]

A local charity that works with the homeless is doing ‘shoebox’ gifts again which I’d like to contribute to - one each for a man and a woman.

I’m looking for ideas for a nice treat item/s to put in the boxes - budget £10 each in addition to practical items.

All the charity have suggested is toothbrush & paste, soap, and maybe something like warm gloves and a scarf. I’ll put these in plus some other toiletries and food items like nice chocolate etc.

I’m going to be doing this too and other suggestions I’ve found online are:

£5-10 voucher for Greggs/Tesco (better value than Costa etc)
Hot choc (Clipper do a nice one where you just add water)
Chocs/biscuits (nicer ones)
Hand warmers
Thermal socks / gloves
Notebook and pens
Puzzle books
Playing cards pack
Lipbalm
SanPro
Face cloth
Mini Christmas cake
Moisturiser tub like Nivea

I’d suggest a leak-proof thermal mug and some drinks that can be made up with just boiling water (e.g. hot chocolate/cappuccino sachets or herbal tea). Lots of cafes/the church near me will happily fill a cup with hot water.

Warm, fluffy socks are good.

Hand sanitizer, hand cream and lipbalm.

I think some Christmassy treats would be nice (M&S normally do a good selection of themed sweets and chocolates).

A waterproof poncho (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trespass-Canopy-Unisex-Packaway-Poncho/dp/B00J0B9MJ0/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_sccl_1/258-5099355-3592510?pd_rd_w=l4Yjj&content-id=amzn1.sym.06894400-2627-41c6-90e2-f7e318d490ba&pf_rd_p=06894400-2627-41c6-90e2-f7e318d490ba&pf_rd_r=3P7CPZC186DJ07JP4FRV&pd_rd_wg=pRSMl&pd_rd_r=9cc15025-485b-4371-ab62-6edf6a79667d&pd_rd_i=B00J0B9MJ0&psc=1)

The idea of a Greggs or Tesco voucher is good.

Mini hot water bottle
Thermos mug
Umbrella

Some of those thermal sachets that you twist/break to heat? I use them camping and they make a bit of a difference.

What about a small battery phone charger? They usually give an extra 2-5 charges on phone depending.

snood scarf

On a practical level

• Little torches
• Plasters
• Paracetemol
• Wet wipes
• nail clippers
• comb/hairbrush
• sanitary products

Snack wise - anything that they don't need a tin opener to open and nothing that needs heating up