to do with your kids! Operation Christmas Child. We did this last year for the first time with our daughter Chayce. But this year we knew Joshua would want to participate in it as well. We took all our kiddies to the toy store last week. We gave them each one of those plastic carrying carts (even Matt so he could feel involved-LOL) and told them to pick out toys they would like but that would be for a little girl and boy their age who weren't going to possibly get much for Christmas this year. Anyways, they had a blast!! Picking out toys they would like and giggling all through the aisles! LOL So then after we were done, we sat down and made sure they were ready to not take these toys home for themselves. But that they were okay with giving them away. Chayce was growing attached to a stuffed teddy bear she put in there so she traded it for something else..I think it was a doll. And Josh was getting attached to a little horn he got. So we put that back and got something else. I was actually really tickled to see them know that they were okay with giving these toys away!
So the other day we packed them up, wrapped them and Chayce and Josh made and drew a special card for their boy and girl. So sweet! Their little hearts were genuinely happy to be giving something special away.
Yesterday morning, I snapped of few of them ready to give their gifts away. I was soo PROUD of them for having no attachment at all to these toys! Josh was more than sweet saying "This is my present for my little boy". LOL How sweet are little babies? Anyways, just wanted to share this and definitely encourage anyone who is thinking of getting their child involved in "giving" this holiday, it is such an amaaazing thing to watch and experience with them! :)
Happy Monday!
Smoochies!
Jenn
I think that's a great idea to have the kids pick out the toys. They looked so pleased to do it too. I have a 14 yr old and I'm going to have him help me do it. Thanks for reminding me about something else I like to do at Christmas. Kim.
Posted by: Baby Tease | November 13, 2006 at 11:38 AM
What a WONDERFUL way to center Christmas on GRACE and GIVING! Love that :). Last year we adopted two families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We brought both familes Thanksgiving dinner and went back at Christmas and brought the same families gifts. It was a WONDERFUL experience!!! Still got to come up with something creative for this year...hmmmmmmmmm. Addelyne doesn't get it yet, but from the moment she does, I want her to know what the Holidays are truly about. Thanks for this inspiring post. Em
Posted by: emily | November 13, 2006 at 12:24 PM
THANK YOU for mentioning this. This is what we are going to do! And I almost missed the deadline! What a great idea and the boys just love it!
Posted by: ShabbyGrace | November 13, 2006 at 02:07 PM
Love Operation Christmas Child!!! Great pics of the kiddos with their boxes!
Posted by: MandaKay | November 13, 2006 at 06:25 PM
My daughter did this at her school too. She kept reminding me we had to get it done by Wednesday. Anyway, we did it on Sunday. I think we packed up a nice little package. When I went to attach the label, I read in the flyer that we had to include $7.00 to pay for the shipping. The grinch in me got a little grumpy but my 8 year old offered to pay it. Of course I didn't let her pay it, but was extremely touched she offered to pay for it. She was so proud carrying that gift into school on Monday.
Posted by: LisaW | November 14, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Gosh we must get at this and do one too! Such a wonderful thing to do - I think it is even better if the kids get to do it themselves!!
Posted by: Holly | November 14, 2006 at 07:58 AM
I totally can't wait each year to make these special little gift boxes! (I get all emotional whenever I see the promo video...LOL) A couple years ago a lady at our church, who's an Artist, individually painted 80 plastic shoeboxes so the box itself was wonderful present too...I would love to be able to do something like that someday! This year my daughter made a little friend down at the riverfront park we go to...and we've found out that she and her family are living in a travel trailer there at the campsites. So Lily (3) wants to adopt her as her special shoebox girl this year. ...Trying to figure out exactly how to do it, tactfully. But I think it will be great taking this idea locally.
Posted by: Becky (Daisyduster) | November 14, 2006 at 09:53 AM
God bless you for teaching your children how to have compassion and to give to those who have less. My heart was so proud of those little kids when I was reading this post...;) I want you to give them big hugs from me.
Posted by: Michelle Underwood | November 14, 2006 at 06:51 PM
We just did this today as well...very fun! Thanks for sharing...still LOOOOOOOOVE your pictures! Blessings!
Posted by: Ashley | November 15, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Such an important thing for all kids to do! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Jen Harr | November 16, 2006 at 11:05 AM
Our tiny church just filled 65 of them and next year hope to do more. It is something to think of year round!
Posted by: phyllis | November 16, 2006 at 05:50 PM
Oh this is such a wonderful thing to participate in. The kids we minister to over here were recipients of these boxes a few years ago. Let me tell you-it's amazing!! Kids that have practically nothing and they are just thrilled that people cared enough to send presents to them. If you want you can check out a layout I did about it. http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/128118/cat/500/ppuser/24894
Posted by: Margie | November 21, 2006 at 03:35 AM