Alternative to Christmas Shoe Boxes - Opinions Please!

[OldenGoldie]

I have posted this elsewhere but thought I may get more feedback on its own thread (I hope!)

Schools in our area have stopped doing these boxes entirely after all the who ha, which I think is a real shame, they did nothing last year and are doing nothing this year either.

I don't agree with the methods of some of these "charities" but I think it is great to encourage children about doing something for others at christmas time.

I am thinking of approaching the local schools about raising funds to get things from the Save The Children Wish List instead.

As a parent how would you feel about it? I was thinking of suggesting that children are encouraged to do jobs to raise money or something like that, so they are really involved (rather than just parents sending in a pound or two). Perhaps doing a bring and buy sale or something?

All thoughts gratefully accepted, I would like to have this going for next year, assuming it is too late for this year.

Also, the children could get to have a say in what is done with the money - maybe decide what they would like to get and see how much they need to raise, then afterwards they could get the little card thing through saying well done etc?

I didn't realise there was a hoo haa, our school is still doing boxes.
However, I would support the idea, depending on what you would do. Are you thinking along the lines of sponsor money for jobs? Table top sales are always good at the this time of year, as people clear out stuff before xmas.

DD2s school ask for donations instead of the children sending one another Christmas cards. The money is then spent on Oxfam unwrapped gifts and each class gets to choose their own gifts.

Yes sponsor for jobs is a good idea, although would be difficult with younger children I think?

THe table top sale seems more likely, although I would be worried that schools are so busy this time of year that they would not appreciate the extra work. Also they have their own christmas fairs to fundraise for the schools....

I like the donation not card idea, although I do think children get a lot out of sending cards to friends ...(although there are enviromental implications)

Actually the idea of the children choosing the gifts (as with the Oxfam idea) is a good one, that way the children are a bit more involved.

That is what I thought, it would be nice to have something to aim at, maybe a year could aim for a Yak or a class for a number of desks or something. I also think it is nice thatthey send out printed cards so they could get one saying "Well Done Class X you have bought X desks for children who need your help, Happy Christmas to you all" or something like that.

i wason the other thread, have you any links to the 'hoo haa'??

this was linked on one of the threads, another one had some info on Operation christmas child, I think the general run down is that some of the organisations use the gifts as a way to force their message home. It all came out a few years ago and now a lot of LEAs advice that schools avoid them.

advise.

Sorry, I am doing too many things at once!

Any other thoughts anyone in the teatime/evening crowd?

Anyone? I would like to go to schools with a bit of a package that will not require too much input from them!

AFAIK - the Rotary shoebox scheme is genuine and the recipients aren't subjected to attempts to brainwash them with christian bumph.

I love chopchop's idea. I will definitely be suggesting that to the PTA when we start school next year.

Our church does a giving tree. There's a Christmas tree with tags attached to it. Each tag represents a present for, say, an old man or a baby girl. You take the tag, buy a gift, attach the tage and put them under the tree. They go to old people's homes and refuges - things like that. It's an ecumenical thing so I have no idea if there's any proselytizing involved. I suspect not.

Furball, thank you I know that there are schemes out there that are on the level, sadly though the schools have decided to steer clear of the whole area (as often happens when one person/organisation spoils thing for the rest) which is why I wanted to present something that was very different!

Corrie, the tree sounds lovely, that could be a really good idea to think about.

At our Sunday school (yes, we don't like how the boxes are done either! ), the children buy a present for a child their age, or a baby, wrap it up, put a label on it saying whether it's for a girl or a boy and the age it's suitable for, then we donate the presents to the local women's refuge ...

Our Asda are colecting toys for the local Chidlren's Hospiace, we're taking the bys shopping for that next week.

They will alaso be invovled in LL's campaign shopping for the secret sanata and the Unicef / oxfam wishlist gifts for theitr Teachers.

Your idea sounds good- much prefer that to the boxes which at our school are lanbelled 'Boxes of Love' (yuck). Can't be arsed tackling school- after all a Governor was taking my Uni class yesterday, pointed at the random lone black girl and demanded 'Are you a Muslim?' (immediately after making the Qur'an- fortunatley she wasnt! And Ir eported him to head of the uni dept- he managed to lay into Jehovah's Witnsesses, Mormons and catholics (he's Anglican) in one lecture.... ).

Oh another version of the giving tree that Churchesw etc can run, or groups, is to sell envelopes for £1 each which poeple use to write a letter or card to someone they can't see this Christmas- dead loved ones, far flung family etc. And the proceeds get sent to Macmillan Cancer Support. Another version allows kids to buy for a pound the priveledge of hanging a home amde decoration from the tree. Kids love that one- I would think Univef or something home grown (Bibic? (British institue brain injured children)

Peachy, the Governor sounds awful! I don't blame you for not wanting to take him on!

Ok, I will put together some ideas that I would like to put to the schools and then come back here again and run them past the MN jury for approval!

Thanks

I've posted this on a couple of other threads - I am persistent if nothing else - please look at FAQS for answers about the "hoo ha".
If still in doubt - just give something to some-one who has nothing this Chrstmas - it will make your Christmas trully joyfull.