A Simple Shoebox.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

It’s only a shoebox. A simple shoebox. 
But it’s filled with love – and a little bit of Christmas cheer for one child who could really use some. 
During the Christmas season, I feel that it’s very important to teach my girls the true meaning of Christmas – and a part of that meaning is the act of giving, the spirit of generosity, compassion and love. 

For the past few years, we have, as a family, participated in Operation Christmas Child.

 

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In case you don’t know what that is, here are the details:

 

The program works this way – you pick up an empty shoebox from certain designated locations around your town and you fill the shoeboxes with special gifts and toys for needy children around the world. Once you have filled your shoebox, you deliver it to a drop off location, all the while knowing your gifts will reach a beautiful child who will be so very blessed by a small box of gifts on Christmas day. 

The girls and I spent the afternoon shopping for our gifts, filling our boxes and decorating them- we get one box for each girl to fill. (They choose to give to girls, but you can choose to give to a boy or a girl.)

It’s an amazing way to teach your child a little bit about the gift of giving … 

 

Lyla decorated her box …

 

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…. while Lacey wrote a note to the little girl who was receiving her gift box … 

 

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… packing the presents …

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If you are looking for a way to teach your child about giving to others this holiday season, you still have time to pick up a shoebox and have it filled and returned before the deadline. 

My church, Broadway Tabernacle, has a few boxes left over – just drop by and pick them up and you can drop them back off when they are filled. Or you can drop them off at my studio and I will personally deliver them to the church on Sunday. 

 

If you don’t live in Orangeville, you can find drop off locations here at the Operation Christmas Child website. 

I encourage you to go get a box and make a little child’s Christmas beautiful!

 

(Image courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse).

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personal

by Gigi

8 comments

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November 16, 2009 - 1:52 am

Rose:) – FANTASTIC way to spread our wealth of life that we have here in Canada to those less fortunate. We are doing this at school as well but I am doing it with my 2 year old too(I have been doing this for many years). I truly believe that teaching our children(giving to those in need)at a young age will allow them to grow and become giving souls. Thanks Gillian for spreading the word of ‘giving’ at this time of year thru your work and children:)

November 12, 2009 - 10:01 pm

Chantelle – What a GREAT idea, the Christmas box… My hubby and I usually pick an “angel” off the tree at our church and buy gifts, but I really like the idea of filling a box with a few special gifts and letting the kids be involved. What a great way to teach our kids about giving back. I think you just gave us a new family tradition! 🙂

November 12, 2009 - 3:34 pm

–cherry – Love how the girls have decorated their boxes! this’ll be our 3rd (or 4th??) year doing the shoeboxes and the kids just love it. thanks for sharing 🙂

November 12, 2009 - 1:23 pm

Vanessa Day – I love Christmas shoe boxes, also a favorite family tradition in our house!

November 12, 2009 - 12:33 pm

Mich – I love Operation Christmas Child. Ally and I did it together last year and she really enjoyed it. She picked a girl. This year she said she wants to pick a boy. We are going to do it this week. Is the deadline to have them at the Church by Sunday? Love the pics of the girls decorating and filling their boxes. Giving is the ultimate lesson to teach our kids!!

November 12, 2009 - 9:10 am

Gigi – Hey Shannon, I would just call … or drop by. I am pretty sure the secretary will be there … 🙂

November 12, 2009 - 7:40 am

Shannon – What a great idea!!! When I was young the grocery store in my town always had the “Christmas Angel” tree. You picked and angel and it had whether it was a boy or girl and their age, and once you got the gift, you brought it back and put it under the tree. I LOVED doing that. I think this is just as great and would LOVE to pick up 2 boxes for the girls to do. Do you know if I am able just to stop in the church whenever? Is someone always there??
Thanks for sharing this Gillian!!

November 12, 2009 - 2:39 am

Mom – Awh, Gillian… this is so sweet! Thank you for teaching the girls about being generous, kind and thoughtful. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

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