Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Presents

Well, it's nearly that time of year again.

Time for the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox present collection.

I heard about this organization a few years ago, and wanted to donate some presents, but kept missing the collection dates until last year.

Last year I was able to give two shoebox presents, one for a boy and one for a girl. I don't know where they went to, but I was happy to have been able to make two children very happy over the holidays.

If you don't know what Operation Christmas Child is, it is an organization that collects presents for young children, which are shoeboxes filled with toys and necessities, and then ships and gives them out all over the world.

You can check out more information on their website here.

It is an amazing thing, OCC. I am so glad I was able to participate last year, and hope to do so again this year.

Fun-Filled Weekend

Last weekend, I had gone on vacation with a few friends, as there was a festival going on.

It was so much fun!!

There were a lot of games, food, music, and rides. I checked out some of everything.

One of the games they had was the goldfish ping pong game. In their game, if you got five ping pong balls in bowls, you could get a hermit crab instead of the fish. That's what I decided to do when I played.

Besides going to the festival, I went swimming a few times with my friends, and just hung out a bit.

The day we were going back home, my friends did a Christmas in July celebration. They didn't tell me they were going to do that, so I didn't get anything for them, and I wasn't expecting to get anything myself.

But, I got three different presents, which really surprised me.

I got four different sizes of knitting needles (two sizes of which I already had), some yarn, and a baking book.

I am really into knitting and baking, so I was (and am) very happy with what I got.

The friend that gave me the knitting stuff said that if I wanted to, she could take me to the store to exchange what I didn't want or need for something I did want or need.

I decided to exchange the needle sizes I already had for ones I wanted/needed.

She also got me more yarn, some sewing needles (for sewing in the ends of the yarn for when a project is finished), and a bottle of lavender and vanilla scented lotion.

All in all, I had a wonderful time with my friends!!

Already Planning For the Next Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collections

I know it's only February (really???), but I am already planning for the next Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection. I was able to send two last year, one for a boy and one for a girl, and hope to do so again this year.

I might even send more than two, if it all works out.

I really enjoyed putting together the boxes last year, and I am honored to have been a part of something so amazing!!

If you want to find out more about Operation Christmas Child, you can go here. It is an awesome organization, and you won't regret it if you make and send shoeboxes!

'Tis the Season

Well, it's that time of the year again. Presents. Decorations. Hot chocolate. Family traditions. Celebrations. Church. Snow. Snowmen. Presents. Family and friends.

Yep. It's Christmas alright.

I will be going to my sister's on Christmas Day, which I am really looking forward to. I get to see her, my brother-in-law, niece, and nephew.

I am pretty much done shopping for presents. I just need to wrap them, and I am all set. I am really looking forward to spending time with my family this Christmas. I love hanging out with them.

Today, I got a few gifts from some people I volunteer with/delivery library stuff to. I got some Christmas cookies, a Christmas card, and $10 (from a patron on my delivery route; even though I didn't need the money, it was a nice gesture nontheless).

Last Friday, another patron had given me a cute Christmas bear decoration, a bar of chocolate, a card, and $15. That was unexpected, but it was a nice surprise.

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a blessed, merry Christmas, and a safe and happy new year!

If you don't, happy new year!

Birthday Weekend

Well, yesterday was my birthday. I had a good day, getting a present from a neighbor family, a card and money from my dad, making a gingerbread house, putting up the tree and decorations, church with dad, baking a cake (yes, I baked my own birthday cake, which I do not mind doing at all), and watching a couple movies (Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and Harry Potter 3).

I had a really good day overall. The presents I got from the neigbors were 3 headbands, a magnetic color cubes set, a dark chocolate turkey, and a card. I am already hooked on the color cubes, as I LOVE magnets. There is a booklet that came with the set, that has pattern ideas. I have already done two of them so far.

I'm not doing anything special today. Just relaxing.

Leftover candy from the gingerbread house

Sending Off My Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Presents

Well, I finally went shopping for my OCC presents, and have put them together. Now, I just need to send them off, so they can brighten a child's life.

I heard about this a few years ago, when a local church had a sign out front about their participation in it. I wanted to do it ever since, but kept missing the drop-off dates. I also didn't know until this year that I could mail one to Samaritan's Purse all year round, until this year.

So, I finally got myself to get out and make one. Or two, in this case.

 

This year, I am making two, one for a girl, and one for a boy. Both are in the 5-9 year-old age range. In the future, I hope to give ones for all the age ranges they give these gifts to.

 

I had so much fun and joy putting these together, and can't wait to drop these off at the drop-off location in my area.

I don't know when exactly I will be dropping off my shoebox presents, but the collection is this week, so I have some time to get them there.

This is such an amazing organization, and I am so thankful I found out about it. They do something for others that is beyond words.

You can send shoeboxes in all year, as well, so if you would like more information, you can go here. Please consider doing this. It will make you feel soooo good, to know that a child who may not get anything otherwise, will definitely have something this year.

Already Planning for My Operation Christmas Child Present

I am already planning what I want to put in the shoebox of my Operation Christmas Child present. I can't believe the collection date is only a few weeks away. Where has the time gone?

 

I haven't decided what age group to do a box for, or whether it will be for a boy or a girl, although I am considering making more than one box. Though, since this will be my first time making an OCC shoebox, I may just do one this year, and then do more in the future. We'll see what happens with that.

 

I am looking forward to the holidays this year, but I will definitely be thinking about those less fortunate than me. They deserve to have something to look forward to, after all they have been/are going through.

 

If you can, I would definitely recommend making a shoebox present and sending it to Operation Christmas Child, or your local drop-off location. It is an amazing thing to do for the holidays.