How does it work?

Operation Christmas Child is the UK's largest children's Christmas appeal and has been running for over 19 years. Thanks to a huge army of volunteers who give their time to help make this Christmas 'miracle' come to life, we are able to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to children in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

We work with local churches and charities overseas to ensure that your shoebox gets delivered by hand to children who need it most. Our approach is to give shoeboxes to children in need, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Where it's appropriate our local partners also make available to children a booklet of Bible stories, including the original Christmas story - the birth of Jesus



All items should be new.
Please include items from each category.
 Remember to make your box both FUN and EDUCATIONAL!

TOYS - something to love
Bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument, (for boys – trucks and cars, for girls – doll, clip-on earrings, make-up or hair accessories) etc.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES – something to do
Felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, rubber, colouring book,notepad, picture/puzzle book, chalk, pencil case, stickers etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS – something to use
Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, bar of wrapped soap, flannel etc.

OTHER ITEMS – something to eat or wear
Sweets (sell-by date to be at least March of following year), gloves, scarf. sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces etc.

DO NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
FOOD Chocolate, crisps, biscuits, tinned food or cakes (or any other food)
MEDICINE Medicines or vitamins of any kind
WAR RELATED ITEMS toy guns, soldiers or knives
CLOTHING (other than listed above)
FRAGILE ITEMS Glass containers; mirrors
LIQUIDS of any kind including blow bubbles, shampoo, bubble bath, toiletry sets or aerosols
DANGEROUS ITEMS Marbles or sharp objects – scissors or razors
NOVELS
ANYTHING OF A POLITICAL OR RACIAL NATURE

HERE’S THE SMALL PRINT: Due to import regulations, all gifts should be new and comply with the conditions listed above. Please make sure your gifts are age appropriate and that you do not send any items in a shoe box (intended for a small child), which might be swallowed or mistaken for sweets.

Should you inadvertently include any item that is not suitable or might be regarded as dangerous for the intended child, Samaritan’s Purse reserves the right to remove that item and use it for the benefit of the charity. Occasionally we have to change the contents to meet specific country requirements.