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Ducks, Frogs & More! Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 5/28/2016

I was happy to be able to get a good deal on these toothbrushes at CVS, I like sending nice, name brand toothbrushes in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes when I get the chance, hoping they'll clean better if the child doesn't have toothpaste as well as maybe lasting longer-I think these qualify-they were originally $5.99!  After sales, coupons, and ECBs, I got them for $0.24 a piece before tax (you can see more about deal shopping at my other blog SimplyCVS).

Oriental Trading Company had free shipping on any order, so I picked up a few things that were on clearance.  I love those colorful and sturdy desk plates, I'd gotten some for the older boxes, and these were so cute,  and only $0.13 a piece and even if they can't read, it has fun pictures.   Also some rugby ducks for only $0.11 a piece.  I was also glad to find some supplies for rubber band bracelets-I got a long to send in one of my 10-14 girl shoeboxes, but wanted extra to send, so she could make more/it'd be useful longer!

Oriental Trading clearance shopping for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

I went back to Mighty Dollar to pick up supplies for more fishing kits and a couple more frog games. I found a ring toss/horseshoe game and a 15 pack of combs.  I was excited as I was planning on 10 packs for a dollar and this was 15, made in America for $1, pretty good quality.



Spent from shoebox packing budget: $8.54

Spent from gift cards I earned online or won in blog giveaways.: $9.48

Added to stockpile:
  • 2 toothbrushes
  • 24 desk plates
  • 12 rubber ducks
  • an extra pack of hooks and bands for a rubber band bracelet loom I got for a 10-14 girl box.
  • 2 games
  • 15 combs
  • 1 set horseshoes and ring toss games
  • fishing hooks and floats for fishing kits

If you'd like some ideas on how to pack we have a series called Tips for Packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

Dollar Deals for this Week's Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 5/21/2016

I did some shopping this week at dollar/deal stores, and found some good things.  I try to be picky about what I buy at dollar stores for my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, looking for sturdy items, especially for items that might have originally been made for another store at a higher price point, and has been sent there as it's last year's, overstock, or whatever.

Had good success at Mighty Dollar while out running errands early in the week.  Nice school math sets (normally sell for $1.99-$4.99), a fun metal whistle some toothbrush covers (which don't fit/cover all the toothbrushes I've been getting at CVS) and some colorful & sturdy jacks which I'll split into 2 boxes.

On Friday my sister and I ran some errands and got to hit a few stores for shoebox stuff.  At Mighty Dollar I got my dad three of the Chess/Checkers combo game for his 10-14 boy boxes, I'd taken a photo when I was there earlier, and he had thought a few would be good for his boxes.  I'd also seen some fishing hooks and floats and asked him if he'd like to make some fishing kits for the 10-14 year old boy shoeboxes, too.  He was interested, so I got a bag of floats/bobbers, there were a few different hooks to choose from so my sister and I picked out a few, weren't really sure what we were doing, have fished before, but not had much hands on with the hooks.  I was wondering on the quality, the floats said Walmart, but I didn't know about the rest so did some Googling of the brands-Zoom seems to be sold at stores like Walmart and the Eagle Claw I saw at Base ProShop.  My dad remembered the Eagle Claw brand from when he was a kid, he liked it and we decided to get the same amount again next time I'm able to go, then we'll be able to make 10 kits with two floats and 5 hooks each, just need to pck up some fishing line.  I also got another of metal whistles.  

Found these fun gliders at Dollar Tree for the 10-14 boy boxes.
(This an affiliate link and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, that helps me afford the time to write the blog and keep up this page.)

At a local mom and pop store I got some learning to write composition books for the 2-4 year old shoeboxes, a Backgammon game, I splurged on the pencil sharpener as it reminded me of the hand crank one we had when I was a kid.  I also had been wanting to put in Spirograph like tools in my 10-14 year old girl shoeboxes, and found these three for $0.59 each-they're a little big with the fish part, but should be a fun addition!

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $30.70

Added to stockpile:
  • 6 school/math kits
  • 2 whistles
  • 4 toothbrush caps
  • 1 Jacks game
  • 3 checkers/chess set games
  • 10 bobbers and 25 fising hooks
  • 2 wooden gliders
  • 10 composition books
  • 1 big pencil sharpener
  • 3 "Spirograph"s
We are always looking for ways to find more money to shop with.  We've shared some ways that we Find Extra Money for Packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

Slow Week for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 5/14/2016

CVS had candy free after ECBs this week, and I was thankful to find a kind that was okay to send in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and didn't expire until June 2017, so it'll be fine to send this year (which if you haven't heard, this is the last year for sending candy from the USA.)


Since my CVS shopping went quickly (in spite of getting $35 worth of items free) I had time to go check out a Mighty Dollar store, they seem to have new things most times I go, and I wasn't disappointed this time!
Operation Christmas Child shoebox fillers.

I split the jacks into two sets, so 50  cents for a game-not bad!  Also these are the same math sets that CVS was selling for $4.99 last year, so like 80% off!!  I think I'm going to try to get a few more, my dad really likes them for the boxes he packs for 10-14 year old boys, and this story really reinforced that..

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $3.20

Spent from gift cards earned or won online: $0.14

Added to stockpile:
  • 2 math sets
  • 2 Jacks sets
  • 1 bag candy
You may want to check out our posts in the series Tips for Packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

CVS Shopping for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 5/7/2016

I had some ECBs I had to use up for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, so I picked up a couple combs and cups I needed, plus some free toothpaste.

CVS deal shopping for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $0

Spent from gift cards earned or won online: $1.37

Added to stockpile:
  • 2 tubes toothpaste UPDATE 2017:  toothpaste is no longer allowed.
  • 2 combs
  • 3 cups
If you care looking for ideas of what to put in your shoeboxes check out Filler Items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.