What does 20 bucks and a shoebox have to do with happiness?

Tis’ the season!

Christmas is just around the corner, and that is pretty tough on the wallet. Each year you have to fork out the cash to get gifts for friends and family, buy yet again more Christmas decor, and not to mention the amount of money spent on baking! Seriously, how many Christmas cookies do people need?

The average person in Canada spends $1,810 celebrating this joyous season. With that kind of dough being spent it’s hard to remember to give back.

Operation Christmas Child is a non-for-profit organization that I support. Each year my family and I pack a shoebox and fill it with toys and basic necessities, which then get sent overseas to a child that would not usually get a gift. Each box costs approximately $20.



When I think about how little it cost us in North America to bring joy to a child overseas, I find it hard to believe that more people don’t do this!

So I have decided to share three ways we can pay for a Christmas box.

3 Ways You Can Pay for a Christmas Box this Holiday Season

#1) Starbucks Grande Cafe Mocha: $4.75 each X 4 = $19

Let’s face it, we North Americans love our coffee. But if we bought four fewer coffees we could fill a box! I’m not saying go on a coffee strike or anything, but maybe brew coffee from home a few times a week and spend that money on a Christmas gift for a child across the country instead.

#2) Christmas Decorations: 1 String of lights cost = $20.99

Christmas lights and decorating the house is awesome. And who doesn't love walking and seeing the neighborhood all lit up? But this year, instead of adding more lights how about spending it on filling a box instead? I’m not saying don’t decorate at all, I’m just saying maybe this year you don’t need to buy that extra inflatable snowman.

#3) Gifts Exchange: Average amount spent on Christmas gifts = $30.00 per person

This is where you can really save the cash. The average person spends thirty dollars on a present. Of course, this number could go up or down, but this is the average amount spent. This year at that family Christmas party, what about drawing names and only having to buy one gift instead? The amount saved would be huge!

There are so many ways to afford to fill a box.

The cost is little to us, but it means everything to children overseas. So this year, get together with your family, hit the mall and buy a gift for a child.

It will personally impact the child you are buying for, but I can guarantee it will also impact your life as well.

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National Collection Week is November 14 to 20, 2016

So, gather your friends and family to pack shoeboxes with everyday items that can help a child.

Then, drop the shoeboxes to the nearest drop off location.

For more information, please visit http://samaritanspurse.ca/operation-christmas-child/

Share and connect on social media using the hashtags #OCCShoebox & #OCC_Canada

Facebook : @OCCCanada

Twitter : @ OCC_Canada

Instagram : @OCC_Canada



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Operation Christmas Child helps 11 million around the world

The holiday season is almost upon us which means it’s time to shop for gifts for loved ones. But this time of year is also about giving back. So, as you’re
shopping, pick up a few simple items like a toothbrush, socks or a book and pencils, that can change a child’s life across the sea.

Operation Christmas Child has brought joy and hope to hurting children around the world since 1993. The campaign brings shoeboxes filled with items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene products and a personal note to millions of children around the world.

Over the past 24 years, the campaign has helped over 124 million children through Samaritan’s Purse. In 2015, over 700,000 boxes were collected in Canada and over 11 million worldwide.
Last year, shoeboxes were delivered to countries like Uruguay, El Salvador, Senegal and Ukraine amongst many others. This year, the organizers want to exceed that goal.

Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes full of:

• School supplies


• Hygiene products


• Toys


• Personal note and photo

Participants are welcome to pack boxes and bring them to a drop-off location or pack a shoebox digitally at PackaBox.ca.

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