Pack a shoebox gift and share God’s love

Thank you for considering giving hope and joy to a child this year. In the midst of a global pandemic, the lives of children and families have been turned upside down and the need is greater than ever before. By sending a shoebox gift with Operation Christmas Child you’ll be sharing God’s love and showing a child they are special and thought of.

Packing a shoebox is simple, fun and can have an eternal impact!

There are two ways to send a shoebox gift. Take a look at our simple step by step guide to packing a shoebox gift yourself and get started today, or if you are tight for time you can select your gifts online and we’ll pack and send one for you.

Pick and pack a box yourself Choose your gifts online

Pick and Pack a Shoebox Yourself

Step 1

Find a Shoebox

Get an empty medium sized shoebox, and wrap the box and lid separately in colourful wrapping paper or order preprinted shoeboxes online. Attach the appropriate boy/girl label, marking if your gift is for a boy or a girl. Select an age category 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 and attach the label to the top of your shoebox.

Step 2

Fill with gifts

Fill your shoebox with a selection of fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies. If possible, include one or two special items you know a child will love such as a doll, cuddly toy or deflated football with pump. See our Gift Suggestions below for more ideas.

Step 3

Make your project donation

A suggested donation of £5 is essential to cover project costs, including shipping, to enable a local church or group overseas to lead a safe, well-organised children's event where your shoebox will be given to a child in need. More detail on what your donation covers here.

Give online at Follow Your Box and you can print out a barcode and place it inside your shoebox on top of the contents. This will enable us to tell you which country your shoebox gets sent to.

Or you can enclose cash or cheque (to Samaritan's Purse) and place it in an envelope inside your shoebox on top of the contents. If you are packing multiple shoeboxes you can write a cheque for one combined donation.

Note: Follow your Box is only available when you pay online

Step 4

Personalise & Pray

Personalise your shoebox by including a hand written note and a photograph of yourself, your group or your family. You may also like to pray for the child that will receive your gift.

Step 5

Drop Off Your Shoebox

Place a rubber band around each closed shoebox and take it to a local Drop-off Location between 9th and 16th November. Your nearest Drop-off Location will be listed on the website from late September (find my nearest Drop-off Location), or call 0870 011 2002.

Simple ways to get started

Donate & Follow Your Box
Make your project donation online and include a barcode in your shoebox to discover its location.

Donate Now

Find a Drop-off Location
Find your nearest Shoebox Drop-Off location

Search Drop Offs

Considering getting others involved?

Our leaflets, posters, flat-pack shoeboxes, gift suggestion guides and downloadable videos make it easy to share Operations Christmas Child with your friends, family, school, church or group.

Order Now

COVID-19 Update

The safety and health of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, our volunteers, staff, and our ministry partners is of utmost importance to us. We’ve introduced social distancing and reduced handling of the shoeboxes at our drop-off locations and continue to adapt our processes to follow government guidelines, prioritising the safety of all involved

Learn More

Your shoebox gift with Operation Christmas Child:

Inspires Joy
You'll be giving unimaginable excitement and hope to children in need around the world.

Reaches further
Partnering with Operation Christmas Child ensures shoeboxes get to hard-to-reach groups like refugee children in the Middle East.

Invites to Jesus
Your shoebox will reach a child in need through one of over 75,000 local churches sharing the good news of life and hope in Jesus in a child-friendly way.

Specially delivered
Your can rest easy knowing your shoebox gift will be delivered through church and community leaders who've been trained to lead safe, well-organised celebrations.

Follow the Story

Stay Inspired

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Samaritan's Purse International is a registered charity within England and Wales (1001349), and in Scotland (SC039251), and an incorporated company registered by guarantee in England and Wales (2462257).

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