New Items Recommended by Samaritan's Purse for Shoebox WOW toys for Children All Ages!

[@terrisreet8189]

I put Legos and a small Lego box with the grid to build them on top of the box. This year I also made several girl's sundresses. I put one of those in every girl box I did. I tried to put a matching hair bow or headband with the dress.

[@christym.814]

Sounds lovely! Homemade items are very special! Thank you for packing shoeboxes!

[@jettj6088]

I sent 155. 100 to 10-14 year old (mostly girls/some boys), 40 (girls/boys) 5-9 and the rest 2-4 boys and girls. I heard back from 8. I sent Starbucks coffee hot thermos' (end of the season discounted) in many of the boxes. 4 of the 8 responses had photos of the thermos as their favorite thing. A 13 year old girl said she liked the coloring book best (it was a very thick one), a 14 year old liked the journal and notebooks since she liked writing, an 8 year old girl liked her doll on rollerskates best, a 14 year old boy liked the whole box.

[@christym.814]

Sounds lovely, Jett! It so much fun to hear back from recipients! I’m so blessed you shared. Thank you! May the Lord continue to enable us to pack shoeboxes so the Gospel is spread throughout the ends of the earth. ❤

[@Lunafalls]

What country(ies) did your boxes go to?

[@jettj6088]

@@Lunafalls They all went to Mexico. They usually do.

[@renaecarpenter1298]

That’s so exciting!! I’ve sent hundreds over the last 20 years but I’ve never gotten a response. My boxes primarily go to African countries. I would love to hear back just to get a better idea of what the kids in those countries need/want most for future packing, so thanks for sharing what the kids have told you - very helpful!!

[@jettj6088]

@@renaecarpenter1298 The key to hearing back is them going to an individual family or smaller size church it seems. Also, always put a photo in the box. I paste my photo to the top of the box with some tape holding it. Then I include a short letter and paste that as well. They are the first things they see. I usually try to send something for longevity. I get on sale Starbucks cups/thermos' or a sweatshirt (my boxes are sometimes a bit larger). When the boxes are filled with useful items the older kids seem to appreciate them more . Diaries from Ross or another discount store are winners too. I hope this helps. I've never had a year without any responses but I send a lot of boxes. It's my way of giving back.

[@Nancy-pj7xt]

I have packed soccer balls for both boys and girls and for ages 5-9 and 10-14 so I personally feel it’s a great idea. Instead of string backpacks for toddlers I include a small tote bag with short handles for safety purposes. TFS

[@Cynthia-n5n]

I never knew that it's acceptable to take the toys out of their packaging and put them in little bags (like the barbie doll) That's good information to include in the instructions.

[@sharonpittman9565]

I was glad to have confirmation on Barbie's for 10-14 and baby doll or cloth type doll for 5-9 as well as 2-4.

[@DOLLS.HOBBIESFORCHRISTIANWOMEN]

I have been fortunate enough to find poly shorts and tank tops for the big boys at good prices that I can manage. This year, they kind of match the soccer balls, which is kind of neat.

[@huikaires1787]

Just keeping it real: I have never heard of those string things referred to as "backpacks" outside the OCC community. A traditional backpack is likely the "WOW" intended by the term. Inconvenient and uncomfortable for personal use. My shoulders are sensitive, so I can't stand strings digging into my skin all day when the sac is full, and having to re-adjust constantly to relieve the aching pressure or awkward slippage. I can feel it through my shirt and have to place a castoff sweater between the rope and my throbbing shoulder. Not everyone is a pansy like me, some kids complained and some did not even notice, but I don't invest in products that flopped at the daycare. String Bag Solutions: When donated, carefully untie bottom knot to add a toggle cord lock, retie and FrayCheck the new knot. This prevents slippage for a better fit. 100pc/$8, Amazon. We started to explore ways to add a padded casing to the shoulder portion, like with craft foam or a drink cozy sewn in, when we came across a great sale on actual backpacks. Justice girls' backpacks $3/ea. Folding them small enough is definitely a two-man job that breaks a sweat, but because of my sensitivity, I'm more motivated for the challenge. Full Outfit Solutions: look for UV-proof breathable workout or sports material. Target, WalMart, JCPenny's usually have 50-70% off after-season clearance on color-coordinated collections of muscle shirts, tees, long-sleeves, shorts, swim trunks, ankle pants in that thin, soft, slightly stretchy UV-proof rashguard material. Also look for ski pants. Not the fleece-lined ones, but like the plastic track pants with the stripes down the legs. Instead of sweatpant material, get the ones in the slick windbreaker material. It's thinner, but also wind and waterproof, too. Also, look for packable hiking pants, very thin and lightweight. Jeans, corduroy, khakis are thick and hard to fold, yet quality materials do exist in thinner textures. But I agree, girls' outfits are easier with dresses and leggings. Thanks for the videos. It's fun and helpful to see different perspectives and gain little tips and ideas from your channel/site :).

[@christym.814]

Thank you for your detailed reply. I appreciate your suggestions very much, Hui Kaires!

[@seshiara1]

Full size backpacks and well made harmonicas and recorders are definitely wow items

[@christym.814]

I’m partial to the nice harmonicas with a case. Very cool item to send! ❤️

[@crazynaska]

a great video would be showing how many things you can get in a box, that is quality.

[@cindygardner8649]

I believe it would not be a problem to send/ include entire outfits if it's packed correctly. Suggestion: Rubber band the outfit to make it smaller and more compact. That should work just fine 😊👍 I think it's important to send an entire outfit.

[@Lunafalls]

Don't you worry that it won't fit, though? I only feel comfortable sending t-shirts, as they don't need to be as size-specific as pants or a dress to still be usable.

[@huikaires1787]

@@Lunafalls If worried about pants fit, look for adjustable waist pants with the elastic on the inside. The elastic has little slots and a button to let the waist in or out for a more tailored look. Or just stick with drawstring shorts. The child can tie the drawstrings tighter, looser, or leave them dangling. If worried about dress fit, look for longer hemlines in less form-fitting styles. A loose sundress would be lovely just above knee-length on a 9yr old, just below the knee on a 7yr old, tea length on a 5yr old. Lots of preK parents at the daycare get extra wear out of adorable toddler dresses by pairing with leggings and calling them tops. Walmart clearanced last year's leggings $1/ea. If size is your fear, take courage! Remedy is easy. If you just prefer T-shirts and have budgeted quality gifts with the rest of the funds, that's wonderful. They'll surely enjoy your prayerfully crafted box and cool tops :).

[@pamelaknuutila1109]

This is a wonderful OCC update. Thanks for making this video. I have never put a soccer ball in for girls, but sometimes do put kick balls in for toddler girls.

[@christym.814]

I think these are a helpful guide, but we can’t include everything. So we trust the Lord to lead our choices and to get our shoeboxes to the right children and pray! ❤️ Thank you for packing shoeboxes, Pamela. 😊

[@shawnaellis9059]

I think that a harmonica or recorder *could* be a good wow item if it's a high quality one... although like you I don't picture a child opening the box and exclaiming over one. I do wish that OCC would specify "high quality" since there are so many dollar store harmonicas and recorders out there which barely make a noise at all, and many newer packers might think those cheaply made items will qualify as a wow gift. 😞 I do soccer balls for boys and sometimes girls. I include a plush in every box, and sometimes especially nice or big ones might be my wow item. For many girls I use dolls as the wow. I also put a bag of some sort in every box, and sometimes this is a really nice backpack... but I wouldn't think of it as my wow item.

[@christym.814]

Thank you Shawna for commenting! I agree with you completely in all your ideas. Thank you for packing such thoughtful shoeboxes for the children, so that the Gospel will come alive to them and they may receive Jesus as Lord!

[@ellewoods8246]

Ok using my American mind clothes are not a WOW item. Clothes (an outfit) are expected just like socks & underwear. I would feel left out if that's all I got. I'd be thinking where's my toy?!?😂 So those items are a must include in every box for me.

[@Lisa-eo9gd]

Hi Christy! I am old but I remember that stuffed animal toys were always favorites of mine. I enjoy collecting them for OCC filler. I think they are very good WOW items. Looking forward to your next video!

[@christym.814]

Excellent Lisa! Me too. ❤

[@charlottesshoeboxes3230]

Great ideas.

[@christym.814]

Thank you, Charlotte! 😊

[@brucegordon405]

Where did you get those cute and fun cars and trucks?

[@christym.814]

Amazon

[@sharonpittman9565]

Where do you think shoes fit in as wow gift? And I guess I mean the shoes that grow? I would never not add something that u just listed as a wow gift along with shoes but just wondering if they are something the kids think are great and worth adding into a box? It's hard because they are sandals and I do see children getting boxes that already have on nice full shoes.

[@christym.814]

It’s something to pray about. I send a lot of flip flops but those aren’t a WOW. The shoes that grow are a nice wow item if the Lord leads you in that direction. We have to pray God delivers our shoeboxes to the right children!

[@darlenerogers3218]

Another great informative video! Can you share where you get the mesh bag for the Barbie dolls?

[@darlenerogers3218]

@@melpotvin8771, thank you!!

[@susanslick71]

Where did you get that adorable soft doll in the hot pink dress?

[@christym.814]

Amazon.

[@KarenYork-t2c]

Hmmm, how are clothes a wow toy? I can see kids thinking wow new clothes! But don’t see it as a toy…?

[@tashainjena]

What is the facebook group you mentioned? I'm a year around OCC volunteer and love new ideas to put in boxes.

[@christym.814]

Our Facebook group is Blessings in a Shoebox I hope you find us! Thank you for being volunteering!

[@stephaniedouglas9510]

Starts at 2:30

[@loissorensen3109]

For a 10-14 boy, a soccer shirt and shorts don't take up much space in a shoebox because they aren't bulky.

[@christym.814]

I agree! I do love finding deals on those. The thin material of the shirts almost dissolves in a shoebox! Where do you usually find those athletic shirts for a good price?

[@loissorensen3109]

@@christym.814 At Old Navy, on sale, and Bob's Stores. I wait until I get the discount offers.

[@rrosemccoy]

That’s what I was thinking of getting!!!

[@sueholdener4135]

Ok I’m going to be a real grinch here but it’s such a stab in the dark that the clothes you’re sending are going to fit the child they’re given to and if they don’t, that’s disappointing. It would be better not to receive it. These kids may be in a malnourished state and smaller than we think for their age range. So do you pack for a starving 10 year old or a hefty 14 year old? It’s the same box.