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More Dollar General Clearance Shopping for OCC Shoeboxes: Clothes, Toys, Hats & Shoes

I know you all are going to get tired of seeing my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes flip flop posts, hang in there, they will soon turn into school supply posts. After I went on the 4th and gathered flip flops at three different Dollar Generals I came home to read that there were certain women's socks for $.30 each and if you bought three you get one free--bringing the price down to $.23. So Sarah, my driver, graciously took me out again yesterday.

Here's our trip:

Dollar General clearance clothing for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.



  • I have gotten some other "Cars" items on clearance so am planning at least one theme box for those and when I saw this short set and shoes at 70% off I had to splurge.  This will be a fun box to do.
  • Of course I checked all the stores for flip flops (different stores) and found new prints we had not seen.  Also, got a few of the same ones we had gotten before (especially boy colors), but I didn't include them in the pictures.
  • They had more of the socks, but I wasn't fond of the designs with Betty Boop (or some such gal) so I just got these ones.  They will be put in 10 to 14 year old girl boxes.
  • While checking out the manager behind the counter told me the $6 Disney hats were 70% off.  I didn't like any of them but saw these $5 hats so asked her to check the price--yes, they were $1.50.  I plan to decorate the plainer ones and I was excited by the Scooby Doo hats because they look like dogs with little ears--I see dog themed boxes in my future.  I got about 15 hats.
  • We got three different toys at 50% clearance:  stickers [2], Lego like blocks [1] and a doll.  I thought I took pictures, but could only find the doll picture.  The stickers were sea animals and I will use those in our ocean themed boxes--can cut the sheets in half as they are large.  But I love the little doll--she is soft and cuddly and just the perfect size.  I'm thinking of designing a pattern from her to make my own little dolls for the boxes and I hope to make her some clothes and a little blanket.
So overall we saved 70%.  I try to average 50 cents per item in the boxes.  Since I get some free with coupons and deals I can splurge on other items.  At this time I set a limit of $3 an item--limiting myself to how many over $1 items I can buy.  I wasn't sure about the short set, but Sarah reminded me that it was two pieces so $3.60 was fine.


I physically can't shop much and we don't have a lot of stores in our area, so I cannot do as well as others can on their price limit, but I can do what I can and fill as many as I can as well as I can and enjoy myself along the way.  I am so thankful that Samaritan's Purse started Operation Christmas Child and gives me the opportunity to help young children around the world.

Each Saturday Sarah shares our additions to our stockpile.  You can see them all here:  Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ Adding to Our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile.

12 comments:

  1. I have been looking forward to this post! I purchased 17 pairs of flip flops yesterday and 8 pairs of the socks. I also bypassed the Betty Boop and the M&Ms styles but loved the Starburst, Skittles and Garfield designs.
    I know you sometimes do theme boxes, but do you ever mix flip flops and fleece items? I am considering doing that since I have no idea where the boxes might go?
    And I love that doll too, and am inspired by the things you might make to go with her!

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  2. Yes, Susan, I passed on the M&M ones, too. You know, I have been considering just that--flip flops and fleece. I know our boxes either go to Europe or Africa. So I often wonder what exactly to include.

    I have read of children in warm climates getting gloves and loving them--one little guy was a baker and used them on hot pans. They can be so creative. Missionary friends to Chad used to ask for warmer items to share because nights can get cold at some times of the year--so hats and scarves would be great. And even cold climates have warm spells where they can save the flip flops for those times. So I am thinking the combination would be fine.

    In the past I tried to pack "more" boxes and would include just one or perhaps two clothing items because they are the highest priced items--but I am rethinking my packing. I'd love to include an outfit (or least a t-shirt) and either footwear or outerwear in each--if I couldn't fit both of the later. I have tons of flip flops and tons of gloves so I am thinking each box may get both of those this year.

    I'm wondering about undergarments--I see many people do include them. I'm thinking it may be embarrassing in a group setting to open, yet so necessary.

    I love dolls--but I find them hard to find for the boxes. I was always creating things for my girls' dolls when they were little and now can do it for my "shoe box girls."

    Glad you got some flip flops and socks, too. Our stores had tons of the flip flops and a nice stock of the socks.

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  3. Oh, and another thing I was wondering: will I put socks in the Flip Flop boxes?

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  4. Enjoyed your comments Cheryl! I too think that it is actually a good thing to put in warm and cold items. It was 100 here today but gets below freezing in the winter after all!
    Plus I always imagine the giggles someone in a hot climate will have putting on a scarf or knit cap!
    I know what you are thinking about the more personal items. I have put in feminine products in some older girl boxes but wonder in retrospect if that was the best use of the space.

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  5. LOL, you are right, it is a joy to picture that sweating child modeling a scarf and hat! I'll see that each time I pack warm gear now, Susan, thanks for the image!

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  6. Great finds! I love getting good deals on flip flops! The Scooby Doo hat is so fun! I recently found some 25 cent (clearance) Scooby Doo crafts at Joanns--little wooden Scooby Doo things that came with Scooby Doo crayons and a "DIY" little Scooby Doo necklace, it came with a few pony beads, Scooby Doo charm, and plastic strand.

    I am also loving that doll! I love love love putting dolls in girl shoeboxes :)

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  7. I love putting dolls in, too. I know with your little guys at home, it is fun for you to have little girls to buy for--even if they are across the sea :-).

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  8. How doyou find out about these sales at Dollar General? Sounds like such great shoebox stuff you all find there!

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  9. Here are three places online to keep up with Dollar General, Jessica:
    http://www.facebook.com/TheClearanceWhisperer
    http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/dollar-general/
    http://www.weusecoupons.com/upload/dollar-general/

    I also just found this "new to me" site:

    http://dollarstoredeals.net/

    Also, ClipWithPurpose.com keeps us up to date with many deals from various stores--if she doesn't post it on site, usually a reader will share on her Facebook wall: http://www.facebook.com/ClipwithPurpose . I hope these help you.

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  10. Oh, and always check the Dollar General website for coupons before you go. They often have a $5/25 for Saturday shopping.

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  11. Thank you so much! I am going to head there today to see what 'treasures' I can find for my shoeboxes!!

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  12. Oh, Jessica, I love the "treasure" idea--we aren't packing shoe boxes, we are packing "treasure chests." Hope you find lots! Some weeks are slow, and some are overwhelming with goodies.

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