Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for 2-4 Year Old Boy - 2017

I love looking at boxes others pack, so here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox my aunt packed at our family packing party this year for a 2-4 year old boy, hope it

OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 10/28/2017

We've pretty much finished packing for the year, but are getting a start on supplies for next year's shoebox packing.

I stopped at a store to pick up a few of these nice sturdy Frisbees!  Funny story...the store didn't have power, but the owner said I could come in and she'd give me a flashlight if I had cash and knew what I wanted.  Well, I did on both counts, so in a went, and got the Frisbees! 

We got a $5 off $15 coupon in the email for Big Lots.  My sister and I walked around looking at different things, finally wandered over to hygiene items and saw these tweezers, 2 for $1!  It'd been on my heart to add to the older kids' boxes for splinters, etc.  So, I got all they had plus a couple manicure sets to get up to $15.  I'll probably split up the manicure sets between a couple boxes.

Finally, we got this GREAT donation of stuffed animals!   We needed some more for the packing party with the kids at church, and this filled that need!  Such a blessing! 

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $16.44 

Spent from gift cards earned or won online: $0

Quick Crafting for Upcoming Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party

Proudly placing her finished shoebox on the stack (from a past packing party we hosted).

Our family planned to spend the afternoon trying to finalize the organization of the kids Operation Christmas Child packing party Sarah is hosting.  We had dresses to roll and tie up with yarn so they didn't take up much room, hygiene kits to make (Sarah shared on YouTube how we made them), bag up small toys, and more.  When Sarah did the final tally of the stock we were short over thirty stuffed animals,

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for 2-4 Year Old Girl - 2017

Here is one of the boxes my mom packed this year for a 2-4 girl through Operation Christmas Child.  

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on OCC shoeboxes from this year for: Boy 2-4 , Girl 5-9, 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):

How I Fund My Crafting Habit for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

By crafting many of the items I include in my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, the cost per box is greatly reduced.  Especially since I have a lot of fabric and yarn that I've inherited.  But I still need to buy trims and thread and other supplies.  And I don't know about you, but I struggle every time I spend money -- Is this really necessary?  Can I get by without it?  Isn't a plain dress without decorations at the hemline just as good?  Most often the answer is I could make do, but it will be

OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 10/21/2017

Managed to hit some of the Dollar General 90% off deals!

I got some stuffed animals for 60 cents at Bargain Hunt.

Some more stuffed animals, plus a stuffed animal pencil case.

I picked up  couple last minute things I needed-really excited about the Engineer Train Cap as I have a train themed box packed, now I can tuck it in!  And the little wooden "doll house" has a handle...hoping in the next year to find dolls to fit in it.

My dad took me to run out for a few last minute things I needed for the church kid's packing party and found a couple other fun things!

I heard that my great aunt was in charge of getting school supplies for the shoebox being packed by her table at Bible Study, so I sewed up a quick reversible pencil cases her to include, and mailed it off.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $42.22

Spent from gift cards earned or won online: $0