Is anyone doing a xmas box for school this year?

[compo]

And if you are what are you putting in it? Or what did you put in it last year?

Wasn't there a big todo last year about these boxes?

Doing one for an older girl this year - I think the age group is 10-14. Have bought some stationery, pencil case, couple of loose pens, tube of wine gums, hat, scarf, gloves set, skipping rope, soap, toothbrush and paste, necklace. Not sure if the box is full but have spent enough, despite most of it being cheapo stuff. Will fill it with sweeties if necessary.

a to do? was there? why?

operation christmas child

I'm doing one but have gone for the 12-15yr boys as they are the ones that don't get that many.

Just did a girl age 5 - 9?

Toothbrush, flannel, stickers, pens, paper, sweets, pencils, bouncy ball

There were about 10 boxes at school when I took mine mostly for girls - probably should have done a boy!

has anyone done link romania or christian response?

preschool here are doing mustard seed love in a box this year

We're doing Operation Christmas Child because the children get their gifts and probably don't even look at any leaflets or bibles. The intention is good.

If you are happy with their Christian message that's fine. I just think they should be more transparent about their aims in the UK

Children are coming to faith in Jesus Christ through the Operation Christmas Child follow-up program

At the end of the day the job of any religion is to spread the word.
Muslims would like us all to be Muslims just as much as Christians would like to be the only religion.

that's why I don't support religious charities (I'm an atheist)

with OCC, what happens if you are the receiving child, you accept the pamphlet(which is no longer IN the box but is given AS WELL AS) and accept the faith....can you not have another box?

best ask this mner her kid got a box

I'm not convinced that any of these shoe box appeals work out in terms of cost, shipping etc

Our school is doing it, but having read about Operation Christmas Child my dc's won't be joining in. I've explained to them why and we will donate to an alternative charity, probably the one with the water roundabout thingy.

I'm really glad I came on MN tonight and saw this - I was going to go and get the stuff to fill 2 boxes tomorrow, but won't now. I will donate the money to an appropriate charity instead.

Well having read that the boxes might not reach the child they were intended for, what do I do with this shoe box full of soap, toothbrushes, sweets, little toys etc ?
Only little things but I've done three and they've cost me about £15 each so I want somebody to have/use them.

I would go ahead - surely the majority must reach them

Give them. If you could see the pictures of the geniunely needy children's faces when they recieve their box you wouldn't think twice about it.

I did my box for a 5-9 year old and ds helped me choose the things we put in. We put in a car, a toy flute, a teddy, a ball, some sweets, a hat, scarf, gloves and socks, some soap, flannel, toothpaste and toothbrush, some pens, pencils in a pack with rubber and sharpener, and a notebook. The whole lot cost about £15 and it was worth every penny to think some little boy will get some pleasure from it who perhaps wouldn't have got anything.

We do a similar thing for a local children's home.