Do you want to save money on Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes? Whether you're packing a box or two with your family or packing hundreds of boxes with a local church, school, or other organization, there are many ways to save on items that you'll want to include in those boxes. Here are the best items to pack in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox for under $10. Finding deals through year-round shopping is one way to save money on the things you can pack in these special shoeboxes. Be sure to shop clearance events, clearance aisles, and clearance endcaps, bins, or racks to find deep discounts. The Dollar General Clearance Event typically offers great deals on small toys that can be packed. If you're looking to make bulk purchases, Amazon is one of the best places to buy things like pencils, sharpeners, scissors, and more.
Here's everything you need to know about Operation Christmas Child, how you can participate, deals you can shop, how to see where your shoebox goes, and more.
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Operation Christmas Child gives shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies to kids around the world.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, is dedicated to spreading hope and joy to children in need around the world. Through this project, shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene products, and school supplies are delivered to children in communities affected by poverty, conflict, natural disasters, and disease.
Find out everything you need to know (and more) about Operation Christmas Child, including how to host a packing party and how to track a shoebox.
Drop off your filled shoebox — National Collection Week is Nov. 17 - 24, 2025.
National Collection Week is Nov. 17 - 24, 2025 (it takes place the third week in November each year), with more than 4,500 drop-off locations open across the country. You can also drop off your gift-filled shoeboxes at one of the permanent ministry centers. Those are located in Boone and Charlotte, North Carolina; Coppell, Texas; Aurora, Illinois; Englewood, Colorado; and Fullerton, California.
What items can be packed in a shoebox?
So what should you pack in a shoebox? Start with basics such as school supplies, personal care items, toys, and a "wow" item (this should be THE one thing in the box that really brings the child joy — think a stuffed animal, Barbie or baby doll, or soccer ball). Some packers create themed boxes. Think themes like single colors (all blue items), sports, Disney princesses, Spider-Man, Bluey, gingerbread, or even potential-career-based boxes, like teachers or doctors, to inspire the recipient. Here are acceptable items for the shoeboxes.
a "wow" item
school supplies (paper, notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, scissors, crayons, markers, pens, pencil sharpeners, erasers, rulers)
coloring books
puzzles
yo-yos
playing cards, card games, board games (as long as they fit in a standard size shoebox)
water bottles
age-appropriate toys (dolls, cars, stuffed animals, soccer balls — don't forget the pump)
quality craft items or kits
socks or underwear
clothing
shoes
basic hygiene items (hairbrush, comb, toothbrush, washcloth)
a photo of yourself, your family, your organization
a personal handwritten card or letter
What items can't be packed in a shoebox?
There are several items that aren't accepted for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.
liquids (toothpaste, bubbles, liquid glue, paint, hand sanitizer, nail polish)
glass (snow globes, ornaments)
medicine or vitamins (pills, powders, medicated lip balm, medicated wipes)
candy, food, drink mixes
weapons or war-related items (no guns, no knives, no fireworks)
vegetable, fruit, or flower seeds or seed packets
camouflage (no clothing or toys that could make the child resemble military or soldiers)
gift cards, money (the only cash, check, or money order you can include is the $10 suggested donation for the shipping cost per box; you can also pay the shipping donation online)
Save space and pack more gifts into a shoebox by removing bulk packaging when possible. For example, assemble a pencil pouch by removing the packaging of items and placing them inside the zip pouch. More gift suggestions, as well as more details on what can or can't be packed, can be found by viewing the official shoebox gift suggestions page.
Deals to Shop for Operation Christmas Child
When and How to Get Involved With Operation Christmas Child
You can order free packing materials, or you can use any standard shoebox and print the tracking label. Take note of the tracking number so you can follow your box and learn the country where it will be gifted to a child. Learn more about the journey of a shoebox.
Purchase a case of empty shoeboxes online, or get free shoeboxes by asking local shoe stores to save empty boxes for you.
As if we didn't already love them enough, Hobby Lobby supports the Operation Christmas Child program. Shop there to find a display of the official logo plastic boxes available for purchase, as well as an OCC overview and suggested sale items to include in the box. Chick-fil-A is also a participant in most areas. Check the lobby for a display of free cardboard shoeboxes that you can take and fill. Some CFA locations even serve as local drop-off locations where you can return the filled shoebox (don't forget the suggested $10 shipping donation) so that it can be sent to the processing center for collection and distribution.
Ready to get started? Follow these simple steps: Shop. Pack. Donate. Ship. Track. Repeat.
Include a $10 Shipping Donation
Why include the $10 shipping donation? Your donation helps with the cost of collecting, processing, and shipping as Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift to a boy or girl in need.
Fill a Shoebox Online for $30
No time to shop but still want to participate? You can build a shoebox online for $30 (including the suggested shipping donation). Choose from a variety of items you'd like to put in the box.
Volunteer at a Processing Center
If you're interested in volunteering at a processing center, you can find out more information and sign up for any available shifts. There's also an opportunity for seasonal employment.
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