Top 14 Tips for Your Operation Christmas Child Packing Party: Lessons from My Experience 🎁🎁🎁

[@CindyFranks]

What a great packing party! My favorite part is that you took a group photo to include in each box. That makes each box so very personal. I also liked seeing the kids taking such care to pack the boxes. I hope you'll share your future packing parties with us!

[@KellysKidz]

Thanks so much! 🥰🎊 The kids had so much fun packing and really did a nice job 💝 we should have one more packing party for the older age group in October! I'll plan to post a video for that one, too! ☺️🎁

[@drogers]

Oh so fun Kelly!!!! You are so organized and I love how you are trying to personalize each box! I know this is hard for big packing parties to do but the lids are a great start! And I really believe this is how occ wants us to think! When you process box after box after box with the same 5 items, it becomes impersonal! I hope the party went well! You are such a shining star for your church to take on so much so beautifully! Bravo! ❤

[@KellysKidz]

Aww thank you, Denise! That means so much 💖 it can be a juggling act to keep the process going smoothly while trying to ensure well packed boxes! 😄🙏🎁 But it's good to see others excited and getting the kids involved. Thank you for always being so encouraging here on KZbin! 🩷

[@SweetTDaily]

Wow! This event was so well organized - It's wonderful that you included the children in the packing process too! I love seeing the OCC personal testimonies and I'm sure it made it special for all involved in packing a shoebox. You make each shoebox personal and you made it personal for the shoebox packers as well. So many great ideas and so very well done! 💗

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much! 🩷🥰 That means a lot, as it can be quite a labor of love, but I hope it's a blessing on both sides of the shoebox and inspires future packers here with the kids. ☺️

[@dianecraigslist6555]

Such a well organized packing system. This looks like it’s going to be fun fellowship gathering. 😊

[@KellysKidz]

@@dianecraigslist6555 Thank you! 😊❤️ Always so fun to pack the boxes with friends, tiring but worth it! 🎊

[@SavingADimeAtATime]

Next year maybe put the essentials in the box before hand, like the pencil pouches. That way you don’t have to worry.

[@KellysKidz]

@@SavingADimeAtATime That's an awesome tip! 🎊🎁 Thank you so much!! 😊

[@pamhill6414]

The dolls are so cute!

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much! 🩷 I stocked up on them last year and my mom does such a nice job with making their dresses and caps. 🥰

[@KarenYork-t2c]

Thank you for your tips here! We have had issues during packing parties that I’m trying to avoid this year. Having separate parties for each age group is one thing I’m doing this year, but wasn’t sure how I was going to make sure the girl and boy boxes were kept separate. Thank you for sharing how you do this! Also I had not thought about having the labels already on the boxes! I like that idea! I will be implementing some of your ideas for sure this year! Again thank you! ❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏

[@KellysKidz]

Aww I’m so glad to hear this was helpful! I feel like I continue to learn something new to do every time I have a packing party! 😄❤️ I hope your packing party goes wonderfully and you all have a great time! 🎁

[@patpitt7079]

Kelly, u r very organized…live your set-up…kiddo’s will love them😎. Many blessings while packing😎

[@KellysKidz]

@@patpitt7079 Thank you! ❤️ I appreciate your encouragement! 🥰

[@debifritzsd]

I have a small ck list that I printed off. (6 to a page and then cut to size) I had them ck off each thing as it went into the box. It helps. Nice party. Love your organization. 😃

[@KellysKidz]

I love that idea! I’m definitely going to be implementing a check list for my next party! 🎊 Thank you ☺️

[@lisadbeerbower]

So many fun items and so well organized!

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you, Lisa! 💖 It’s always fun to see the boxes come together after planning/shopping throughout the year! 🎊

[@byrdfeed9071]

Wow! What a great set up! You are so organized! I thought it was a great idea to put together an example for the Packers to refer to. Great job!

[@KellysKidz]

@@byrdfeed9071 Thank you, Trish! 🥰 It's a lot of work, but as you know, definitely worth it! 🎁🎁❤️

[@BLESSEDandOCCobsessed]

Thank you for sharing this video. It was very helpful. I am hosting my 3rd party this year and it will be a little smaller than the 2 previous years. I like your tips. GREAT JOB!

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much, Tiffany! I hope your party goes smoothly and you all have a great time! 💖

[@lascott62]

Thanks for the ideas!! Our party will be in October!

[@KellysKidz]

Yay! 🎊🎁❤️ I hope you have a wonderful packing party ☺️

[@shirleymitchell8564]

Your lid designs are so cute!!!

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you! So many talented artists out there, I love the free resources from Sending Shoeboxes and OCC Shoebox Packers on Facebook 🎊🩷 They definitely help add a special touch to the boxes!

[@markmyers5881]

Good job organizing! I like your suggestions about signs and preparation, too.

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much! 😊 The prep work is definitely worth it with packing parties! 🎁🎁🎁

[@jerriettaarcher7665]

Wow so organized, thats what i need is organized

[@KellysKidz]

Aww thank you! 😊❤️

[@sandythomas3554]

Wow! You do a fantastic job of preparation.I learned a lot. God bless you and your family!❤️

[@KellysKidz]

@@sandythomas3554 Thank you so much! 🩷🥰 That means a lot to me to hear.

[@Lm.homemaker274]

Thanks for all the tips and inspiration. We are doing a mini packing party with our family next week after all our fillers come in the mail.

[@KellysKidz]

@@Lm.homemaker274 aww yay! That will be so fun 😊❤️🎁🎁🎁

[@robbieruland6956]

You are so organized and found your video very informative and helpful! Thank you!

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much! 🥰 I'm so glad this was helpful! 🎁☺️

[@lorriesmith8540]

Love your organization! This looks like so much fun!

[@KellysKidz]

@@lorriesmith8540 thank you so much! 🩷☺️

[@maritzacopping3309]

Wow, this was so, so organized and looked so pretty! Packing for one age group at a time is a great idea. Definitely saw the benefit of it. The boys’ sandals look like excellent quality. I have to say it again, this was so well organized. Since some pencil packs were missed in the packing, maybe add a checklist? Can’t wait to see your next packing party.

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much! 🥰 I love the idea of a checklist!! I’m definitely going to be implementing that for the next party in October. 🎊 I’m considering next year making it even more streamlined by just doing one age/gender per party, so like just the 2-4 boys. We’ll see. 😁

[@trinidadborden8977]

Great layout and amazing items. :)

[@KellysKidz]

Aww, thanks so much! 😊 It’s fun to see what each year brings with the different items, I usually stock up on sales so it varies each year, but I try to get quality items. ❤️🎁

[@dmoore8557]

Quick question - why would 2-4 year olds require school supplies? Crayons and the like, sure - but pencils, pens, workbooks, etc? Are they included for the benefit of other children in the family?

[@KellysKidz]

@@dmoore8557 That’s a great question! ❤️ You can definitely send crayons and coloring books without the other supplies, but many of these kids live in places where having your own school supplies is a novelty and hard to come by. I try to include at least some pencils and paper in all of my boxes, and this age group can benefit as they’re starting to learn to write. I’ve seen other people include the wider beginner pencils for this age group so it’s easier for them to grip the pencil. Certainly not a requirement, but since I can usually find notebooks on sale and pencils at a decent price, I try to include them. Thanks for watching and asking!!

[@dmoore8557]

@@KellysKidz So, would it be okay to put in one of those books where you learn how to "draw" letters and numbers (two lines high, lol) instead of a lined workbook? I asked because I'm sort of assuming that perhaps these children have older siblings that may have aged out of the gift boxes but could still use the supplies, and I wouldn't want to deprive them.

[@KellysKidz]

@@dmoore8557 Yes you can definitely pack that! Here's a link to a handy tool on Samaritan's Purse's website where you can check to see if certain items are allowed. ❤️ www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/

[@barbaralane2744]

I like your letters with your staye colored in.

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you! ❤ I usually write up a new one each year and include it in all the boxes, both individually packed and packing parties. 😊

[@heidiavera5071]

I think it’s great that you’re going to send 50 boxes

[@KellysKidz]

@@heidiavera5071 thank you so much! 💗😊

[@patpitt7079]

Love the cute hats…where did u get them?

[@KellysKidz]

@@patpitt7079 Aren’t they so sweet! I got them online at Oriental Trading. 😊

[@JaniceCrowell]

Nice job

[@KellysKidz]

Thank you so much! ☺️❤️

[@JaniceCrowell]

Do you make the doll blankets? And where do you get the baby dolls?

[@KellysKidz]

Yes, my mom and I make the doll blankets, you can cut a piece of fleece fabric about 15” by 15” and then simply cut a fray around the outside with about 1” slits. If you check out my recent video on Packing Hope in a Hurricane, I show this process a little better. The baby dolls are from the Dollar Tree, though they’ve released a newer style of baby doll since I bought these ones, so I don’t believe they’re in store any longer.