Simply Shoeboxes

Containers from MDSupplies & Services Review ~ Great for OCC Shoeboxes

Many people who pack shoeboxes like to make up small kits maybe for sewing, jewelry making, fishing, etc and that requires some time of container. Or, you may want to be sure the child has some place to store something like a Lego set, Jacks game, etc. There are a number of options from MDSupplies & Service's special Shoebox Shoppers order form (Disclosure: post contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on them). MDSupplies & Services has helpfully made us who pack for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes a special order form of just items that can go in OCC shoeboxes...plus it has FREE SHIPPING!!!

They sent me some free samples to check out, and I went around my shoebox stash and saw what would fit in various ones of them to give you some ideas of size and what can fit. Some do require pretty big lots to order, so may be better for big packing parties, but then if you were just doing a few, you probably could just save some for yourself or with friends. Some, though, are in lots as low as 12, which would be great for doing a few boxes.

By the way, while we can't send medicines in shoeboxes, OCC has said the medicine bottles are fine to use if they've been cleaned out, and these would never have been used! I would probably mark over anything that said something medical though.

These are your basic medicine bottles, and they come with lids sold separately. These are the ones that would really probably work best if you're doing a big packing party as they come in large cases. The lids aren't child resistant which I think is probably actually nice as we're sending them to children-Haha! The lids do seem to snap on quite well! (Note, in the photo above, those are smaller Jacks set from Kipp Brothers, and mini thread spools from a sewing kit) Here they are listed from smallest to largest:

Bottles with out lids:

Lids:

This option comes in three different colors and come with caps. The caps are reversible one way is child resistant and normal screw in lid. The child resistant side is not too hard to open, but I'm not sure the recipients would be familiar with that concept. Also, if you use them that way be sure not over-fill it; I did that and had to have my Dad force the lid off-haha! The normal screw side is pretty easy to get off-just be aware it screws INTO the bottle, so takes up a little space at the top. I know some people like to use the open part of the top to make pin cushions. (Note: these are mini sewing kit spools of thread)

Strata Prescription Pill Vials, C Style - Amber 16 DR (RXSA16) $59.21 / Case of 260
Strata Prescription Pill Vials, C Style - Green 16 DR (RXSG16) $61.94 / Case of 260
Strata Prescription Pill Vials, C Style - Blue 16 DR (RXSB16) $61.94 / Case of 260

This are probably my favorite bottles-really nice and sturdy!! They have nice screw on lids. I was especially excited when I saw the Lego type set I'd bought on clearance fit so well in the large one to make a Wow item!

These next two aren't exactly "Bottles" but are also fun to pack things in-and these are something you probably can't get from a friend-denture cases! There are two different styles:

These Ortho Boxes - Denture, Assorted Colors (OB-2000) $6.89 / Box of 12 are the cheaper, and smaller option. They do have small draining holes in them. The hinge is just a thin strip of plastic, so I'm not real sure how long it will last. But I really had fun making different little kits with them and come in a fun assortment of colors! They have a nice snapping close.

This is a larger/deeper option: Ortho Boxes - Denture, Assorted Colors (OB-1000) $8.05 / Box of 12 These also come in an assortment of colors. They don't have any drainage holes in them (as they're designed for soaking/cleaning dentures). Their hinges are loops of plastic, and seem sturdier than did the flatter ones. They seem to seal closed pretty well, and have little "legs" on the bottom.

Finally, here's a photo of them with a yard stick for scale:

I hope this review helps someone...if you have any further questions, please just ask and you may want to check out the rest of my MD Supplies & Services Reviews for items appropriate for packing in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Disclaimer: I received these products free to review, but the opinions are all my own. Links in this post to MDSupplies & Services are affiliate links and I'll be compensated if you purchase after clicking on them which helps me afford the time to review items, write the blog, and keep up the Facebook page, etc. And I only share things I pack/think are good for shoeboxes.

John Deere Farm Themed Shoebox for 10-14 Year Old Boy

When packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, I often like to pack around a theme-in this case a John Deere/farm. We got a John Deere hat for free, then I stumbled on a John Deere themed coloring book. So I went from there!

When we make a themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox, we don't leave out anything on my 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.

Thankfully we had some farm fabric out of which to sew a pencil case. A "deer" stuffed animal and a green and yellow tractor really helped to pull the theme together. I also found lots of green and yellow versions of items I wanted to add to the box.

Often people find it helpful to see how the box is packed to fit everything in, so here's some photos of how these items fit in the shoebox.

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for boys 10-14 years or our themed boxes!

Collecting Games for Shoeboxes Poster

Samaritan's Purse has suggested items of the month for packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, and for September, that's games! As readers have found collection posters we've made for other shoebox items helpful to share with friends, family, church members, co-workers or fellow apartment building residents. Here's what I came up with for games. Feel free to share however it can help with your shoeboxes. First, here's one to share if everyone knows where to drop the items off.

Also, made one with a blank to put in drop off info:

If you like this poster, you may want to check out our other collection posters.

PLEASE NOTE: These posters are made based on USA rules, they may include items not allowed in your country's packing requirements.

Ohio Sports Themed Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for Boys Ages 10-14 Years Old

Last year my Dad packed 3 Ohio sports themed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. When we make a themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox, we don't leave out anything on our basic packing list-we 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. We're from Ohio, as is someone who donates crafted items for shoeboxes, so this was a natural theme. We ended up packing three in 2017: Browns, Indians, and Buckeyes. All were packed by my Dad for 10-14 year old boys.

The Browns one was probably the most on-theme as we were able to find and make actual Browns licensed items. It all started with the "Sunday Funday" water bottles and grew from there. Thanks to shopping our stash and help from our crafting friend, it turned out pretty well!

The Buckeyes box also got one of the football water bottles, plus lots of "scarlet" and gray!

The Indians box was mainly red and blue with a little baseball thrown in. We did find Indians' flashlights from H&J closeouts which helped the theme.

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for boys 10-14 years or our themed boxes!

School Supplies for Shoeboxes Collection Poster

Samaritan's Purse has suggested items of the month for packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, and for August, that's School supplies! School supplies are so important as in many countries they are required to attend school. I thought maybe a collection poster might be helpful to collect them from friends, congregation members, etc. So, here's what I came up with. Feel free to print it out, share online, etc. as needed to get more school supplies for shoeboxes.

If you like this poster, you may want to check out our other collection posters.

OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 8/25/2018 ~ A month's worth of shopping

Well, with getting back from vacation I'm a bit behind on sharing my shoeboxes finds! While I was on vacation I was able to pick up some sports team themed items from "back home".

I also found some random items fun little items on a shopping trip. Magnifying glass to check out (didn't like it) truck puzzle for car themed box, couple penguins for a penguin themed box, couple plastic craft kits for older girls, and a little book about rose types-lots of pretty pictures to look at!

At Dollar Tree I saw a car "Lego" type toy at Dollar Tree, and as I liked Legos as a kid and am planning car themed shoeboxes in memory of my uncle this year, I picked up a couple, then I went to CVS & found a car with blocks inside it on clearance-I plan to stick the two building kits inside it, plus probably one of the girl ones I got later at Dollar General.

I received 2 cartons of the new pre-printed cardboard shoeboxes from OCC-hope to post a report on them soon..

I ordered a package of the soap cases-under $20-so much cheaper than other sources.

I had gotten a $10 gift card from Oriental Trading, thankfully they had free shipping on any order, so I found some clearance items (dozen mugs, 2 dozen bags), plus a cup to get up to $10...ended up being on the dot-so didn't spend anything!

I also got to a Dollar General for the 50% off clearance sale...a couple things I found even ended up having been there so long they were only a penny!

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $32.82
Saved $65.98 or 67%
Plus some of the items were donated, and the soap cases not bought in bulk would have been quite a bit more.

Saved thru clearance at Oriental Trading: $22.99
Saved through OT gift card: $10
Saved through OT free shipping: $6.99
Saved through Dollar General Clearance: $26

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