For as long as I can remember, my family packed shoeboxes at Christmas. It’s a tradition that carried over once I became an adult. It’s also a tradition that has come full circle. We learned that, in the past, some of the older children at Ying’s orphanage have been the recipient of Operation Christmas Child. Nothing will make you pack a shoebox faster, and with more love, than knowing that.
So as a family, we packed shoe boxes this year. Little hands and little feet filled plastic baggies with leftover Halloween candy. (Certain persons were initially more reluctant than others but were soon filling their baggie to the brim). We went to the store and asked our kids to pick out socks and puzzles. Some little girl will be the recipient of Ying’s love for pink.
This is such a small thing. But it means something. It does.
When we were in the Hmong village last year, we took gifts. Several of the gifts came off a suggested list. Things like a small winter coat, hygiene products, etc… We also took a few fun gifts. Things like bubbles and a travel size Hungry, Hungry Hippo. Do you know what gift was exclaimed over the most? School supplies. Pens, pencils and erasers were remarked on by the adults, interpreter and children alike. That’s stuck with me.
Most of us don’t think of a yellow #2 as a gift. I’m not sure what I would do if I found it in my stocking, much less my kids. Yet for children in a school house with no electricity, it was a wonderful present.
Find some pencils. Bag up some candy, stickers and toothpaste (more ideas and details on filling a box here).
Love can’t be contained, but Christmas can fill a box.
PS – The shoeboxes are now hightech. When you donate online (suggested donation is $7/box), you will get a printable barcode that you put on your box. Once your shoebox is delivered, you’ll get an email telling you it’s destination.) In years past, we’ve gotten these emails. I love knowing where our shoebox has gone.
We started participating two years ago. Now my kids keep an eye out all year for small things to put inside. Toys from a goodie bag are usually put aside so we can add as many small items to fill in the cracks as we can. We look through the Halloween candy for the things that can be sent. We buy tooth brushes on sale as well as school supplies in the fall. Then we see how many boxes we can fill with what we've saved up (and what we can afford to send with the $7 per box fee). We're finishing up ours tomorrow!
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