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by S. A. (Shae) CookeEvery autumn, my kitchen table piles up with shoeboxes. Strong, versatile and deep enough to hold many different types of gifts, they are ideal for gift-giving to those who live far away.
As early as January, I start filling the labelled boxes, which are stacked on a shelf in the storage room. Throughout the year, as I find something I like for a person, it goes in. This might include inexpensive but meaningful items like poetry, letters and photographs. All it takes to give your family and friends a shoebox Christmas is love and a little inspiration.
Thinking outside the box
Wrapping the shoeboxes can be as much fun as filling them. If the shoebox is plain white, decorate with rubber stamp prints, paint, or even photographs. If the box has advertising on it, paint the outside with acrylic paint, or cover it in plain paper, fabric, or decorative gift wrap. The box will do double duty for the recipient as storage for photographs, cards or sewing supplies.
Themed boxes
- Nativity box for expectant/new parents: Line the interior of the box with hay or straw and include soothers, bibs, wipes, a disposable camera, thank-you notes, a pen, blank announcement cards, stamps, labels, and a phone card. On the gift-wrap, include a favorite Christmas verse from the Bible. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” ~ Luke 2:11
- Lamp box for new Christians: Photocopy or print out actual pages from the Bible, and line the interior of the box with the paper. Include a small Bible, a candle (or a box of light bulbs or miniature lantern), a journal, a pen and blank index cards for verse memorization. Wrap the outside of the box with plain paper, and using gold or silver metallic pen, inscribe the following verse: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105
- Comforts of home box for the college student: Line the exterior of the box with an actual area map (either the original or a photo copy). With a bright pen, trace the actual route between your home and the college your son or daughter is attending. Along the interior sides of the box, glue photographs of your child, your home, perhaps photos of family gatherings, or special times together.
Include a long distance telephone card, rolls of quarters, stamps, pre-addressed envelopes or labels, pens, perhaps a gift certificate to a local restaurant that serves homecooked meals, and a small, travel-size Bible. “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” ~ John 14:23
- Comfort box for the senior: Select a family photo and lay it on the center of the shoebox lid. Apply clear plastic adhesive paper to the top of the lid, smoothing the plastic from the center, outward. All too often, seniors receive items,which are not useful. Consider giving gifts of your time. A hug or a phone call means more to a lonely senior than anything store-bought.
Create “coupons” redeemable for various chores or outdoor excursions. Record a collection of poetry, or narrate a short story onto a cassette. Encourage the recipient to write stories from their childhood and include a blank journal or diary. “My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.” ~ Psalm 49:3
- Shoebox fun for kids: The children will enjoy making (and sending) a winter scene “viewfinder” out of a simple shoebox. (Substitute grass, straw or hay instead of fiberfill for a manger scene).
- Cut a rectangular shape out of the lid of the shoebox, leaving about a two-inch margin all the way around. Tape a piece of white tissue paper, tracing paper, or plastic wrap to the inside of the lid. This will be a skylight of sorts, allowing sunlight to shine through.
- On the side of the shoebox, cut out another rectangular shape, once again allowing for ample margins. (This will be the viewing area of the scene).
- Wrap the outside of the box with wrapping paper, or create a design with felt markers, glitter, crayons or stickers.
- Measure, cut, and glue white or navy-blue construction paper or plain color craft paper to the inside of the box.
- Glue fiberfill or cotton balls to the inside bottom, for snow.
- Streak glue all over the fiberfill and shake sparkles on top.
- Cut out people and scenes from old Christmas cards, photos, or calendars and position the pictures along the “walls” of the shoebox.
Shoeboxes for the needy
In the spirit of giving this Christmas, make up a few extra shoeboxes for the needy. You can make daily care boxes; boxes filled with puzzles and toys, or food boxes.
Operation Christmas Child sends a message of hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes and Christian literature. This program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project that reaches out to suffering children while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift.
In 2001, Samaritan’s Purse collected over 5 million shoeboxes worldwide and distributed them to children in about 95 countries. To find the nearest location, call (800) 353-5949, or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
S.A. (Shae) Cooke, a freelance writer, lives with her family in British Columbia, Canada.
Related Reading:
Gift-giving strategies for growing families
Creative ways for kids to spread christmas cheer
