Penguin Themed Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for a Girls

One of my favorite themes when shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is penguins.  I don't know why, maybe because I have a few times (you can see past penguin themed shoeboxes here) and I like traditions. :)   I actually ended up doing two in 2017.  This was the main one, for a 10-14 year old girl.

Here's some photos  of how  I got it to fit including the little tin that I made into a hygiene/hair fun things kit.

When we make a themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox, we don't leave out anything on our basic packing list-I still put in hygiene, school, and art supplies, clothing, whistle, etc as well as toys (including a ball and stuffed animal) with a family photo.  We just try to find versions of what we are putting in that goes with the theme and occasionally an extra item or two.

I also had found so much stuff, I packed a 5-9 girl box as well...don't have it photographed as well, but here's a look to give you an idea.

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for girls or our themed boxes!

Dollar Tree Easter Duck/Chick Themed Shoebox

I recently got the chance to shop at Dollar Tree for items to fill an Operation Christmas Child shoebox as I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.  But, my opinions are my own.

When I went to look at Easter Crafts, Supplies, and More At Dollar Tree I found lots of cute and fun things to make a themed shoebox.  When I was little I really liked ducks, so I decided to do a theme box of ducks/chicks/Easter.  When I make a themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox, I don't leave

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for 5-9 Year Old Girl - 2017

We don't often pack many Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for girls age 5-9, because that's the group that gets the most boxes packed for it, but this year we did pack a few, and here's one my sister packed.  You can see lots of handmade goodies in this one that others shared with us!

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on OCC shoeboxes from this year for: Girl 2-4, Boy 2-4, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14 (will be updated with links as I post those boxes, until I do, here's a link to all the shoebox examples posts). 

NOTE: Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox due to customs-no candy or toothpaste in the USA going forward.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the OCC shoebox gift (Items with ** are on the list of "Wow" items):

• Hygiene Supplies:
• Toothbrush
• Toothbrush case
• Soap
• Soap case 
• Washcloth
• Comb 
• School Supplies:
• Pens
• 1-Red
• 1-Blue
• 1-Black
• Pencils
• 2-regular
• 2-decorative 
• Sharpener
• Eraser  
• Composition book
• Protractor
• Tape measure
• Art Supplies:
• Markers
• Large coloring book
• Pad of plain paper 
• Spirograph type tool
• Practical items: 
• Mini blanket 
• Small bag
• Small crocheted purse
• Outfit**:
• Dress
• Bracelet
• Hair pins
• Lace for hair
• Cars Ring
• Toys 
• To play noisily or others
• Ball
• Whistle
• Mini Apples-to-Apples game
• Hotwheel
• Maraca
• Mini Clacker
• To play with quietly alone
• Gorilla 3D puzzle
• BB maze
• Top
• Mini Turtle
• Mini dinosaurs 
• Cow Keychain 
• Special
• Rose
• To "love"
• Stuffed animal** 
• Personal correspondence (not pictured)
• Family photo 

I know sometimes one of the hard things of packing shoeboxes is making things fit, so here's some photos I took of how it all packed in the box.

Here are more examples of 5- 9 girl boxes we've packed.

Territory and State Themed Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

There was a challenge on Shoebox Shoppers page on Facebook to pack "10 for Texas" Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.  In addition to donating to relief organizations, it gave us something personal to do to help those packers affected Hurricane Harvey-some had their boxes or packing supplies destroyed-to pack boxes in their place (they won't get these boxes, Samaritan's Purse is helping there in other ways).  Then came Irma, and packers in Florida were affected, and while I haven't heard first hand, I'm sure Puerto Rico won't be able to pack many, if any, boxes this year.  So, I decided it would make it a more personal way of supporting those in those states and territory if I packed one box themed around that location.  I posted on my Simply Shoeboxes Facebook page for ideas.  I was able to find almost enough in our stash to pack the themes, my mom and sister sewed a couple things and I bought one or two things, but on the whole, it was just carefully selecting from the supplies we had on hand.  Then came the California wildfires and accounts of packers forced from their homes and churches with shoeboxes in them threatened with flames...so I packed one for them, too!  Unfortunately, we'd already packed a lot of our boxes by then, so had less to pick from, but I think it turned out good, too! When I do a theme box, what that means, while I stick to my normal list of things to include, I try to find versions of those items that fit the theme.  I may add an extra unique item or two, but on the whole it's the same list, just different types.  My basic list for those interested is:

Example of an OCC Shoebox for a 5-9 Year Old Girl - 2016

Here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox we packed for a 5-9 year old girl this year.    This shoebox was 342 inches cubed, for comparison, a GO box is 306 inches cubed, so it's pretty close in size. 

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on boxes from this year for: Girl 2-4 years,   Boy 2-4, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14.

NOTE:  Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in an OCC shoebox due to customs, and 2016 is the last year for candy in the USA.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:

Hello Kitty Themed Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

My Hello Kitty themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox began with free band-aids from a CVS deal and a free toothbrush from a coupon.  The fun thing is I have only paid for the shirt ($1) and the socks (20 cents) so far.  I will be adding a few more things, but the total should still be only a few dollars.

My husband had found these shirts for $1 last fall and I decided I'd make skirts to match them.  The flower fabric was donated by Red Thread Stitches and the trim and gingham fabric came from my mother-in-law's stash.  I chose this fabric

Inspiration to Keep Sewing Dresses & Skirts for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Girls ~ A Moment to Reflect

I came across these images from Dress A Girl Around the World again recently and just had to share them with you.  They are my inspiration for sewing sweet dresses and skirts for little girls around the world and pack in Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.  Look at her sweet face -- she feels like a princess in her new dress!

Before

After

These statements from the DAG website also keep my sewing machine humming:

“...girls who live in a society where they have no value—where they are used as slaves—where they are abused and preyed upon and no one considers this to be

Packing OCC Shoeboxes for Girls Verses Boys: Why I Sew Dozens of Dresses

Most of us know that Operation Christmas Child reports most boxes are packed for 5 to 9 year old girls and boys and that 10 to 14 and 2 to 4 year old boys receive the least.  This has caused many of us, including my family, to focus the bulk of our packing for boys.  I'm taking some time to rethink my packing in light of what I have learned about many cultures around the world from being involved with the representatives of Dress A Girl Around the World.

Check out my step by step, illustrated instructions to make your own Pillow Case Style Dresses.

Dress A Girl Around The World’s [DAG] goal is to provide dignity and protection to young girls in crisis situations while letting them know they are loved.  Their website says there are many “girls who live in a society where they have no value—where they are used as slaves—where they are abused and preyed upon and no one considers this to be unspeakable injustice.  By providing a new