Operation Christmas Child Year-Round Collection

2025 Updates:

•  We received stuffed animals from two local PetSmart locations. Thanks to these generous donations, we have all the "wow" items we need for this year! God is good!
• OCC leaders will use funds from the OCC budget to purchase hygiene items and school supplies. This is to take advantage of bulk discounts and sales and to facilitate more streamlined packing of these items.

What are we collecting? 
We need small/medium-sized fun items to fill our boxes. We will do monthly spotlights of items for purchase, but you can bring any item for collection throughout the year.

Not sure what to buy?
Click the button below for a list of gift suggestions and a list of items that cannot be included. The website also contains a searchable database to check if specific items can be packed.

Also, check out our Amazon Wishlist filled with great deals on fun items for our boxes.

Inventory Last Updated: 1/07/25

Small to Medium-Sized Fun Items
Need: 1282
Have:  118 (27 girl, 8 boy, 83 either)

Spotlight: Quality Handmade Items

Quality, handcrafted items like dresses, hats, gloves, facecloths, dolls, or wooden cars are great additions to any shoebox.

There are a few restrictions to consider when making handmade items:

• All handmade items must be made from new materials to meet the custom guidelines of the countries that received shoebox gifts.
• Operation Christmas Child cannot accept any handmade items made from used materials, such as used fabrics (ex. old jeans), DVDs/CDs, or repurposed bottles/bags. Please also keep in mind that raw materials like rocks or bark and items like beans or rice cannot be shipped overseas due to customs regulations.

In need of ideas? Check out our Pinterest board for a growing collection of craft projects for OCC.

Spotlight: Toys that Make Noise

• Recorder
• Harmonica
• Mini tambourine
• Bells
• Egg shaker
• Maracas
• Whistle 
• Electronics with extra batteries

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items. 

Spotlight: Something to Share

There are many stories of shoebox recipients sharing their gifts with family members, friends, and classmates who did not get boxes themselves. Consider packing an item that can be shared with others, increasing the impact of the gift.

• Small frisbee
• Baseball
• Dominoes
• Jacks set
• Card games
• Travel board games
• Puzzles

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items.

Spotlight: Transportation Toys

• Hotwheels cars ( $1.25 at Target)
• Plastic cars for younger children
• Wood cars/trains/planes
• Small boats
• Foam glider planes
• Plastic planes

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items. Many items come in sets that can be split between boxes. 

Spotlight: Dolls/Action Figures/Animal Figures

• Barbie dolls
• Action figures
• Movie/T.V. character figures
• Animal figures

*No war related items are allowed.

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items. Some items come in sets that can be split between boxes. 

Spotlight: Clothing/Accessories

• Hairclips
• Headbands
• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Packable hats
• Shirts
• Shorts/skirts
• Dresses
• Socks
• Shoes
• Sunglasses

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items.

Spotlight: Art and Crafting Supplies

• Play-Doh
• Bead kits
• Sewing kits with fabric
• Coloring books
• Stickers
• Scratch art 
• Dry watercolors 

*Each box will already be coming with either a box of crayons or colored pencils.

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items. 

Spotlight: Toys that Light Up

• Flashlight with batteries
• Hand-cranked flashlights
• Light up spin tops
• Light up yo-yos
• Glow in the dark items 

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items. 

Spotlight: Other Small Toys

• Yo-yos
• Slinkys
• Jump ropes 
• Stress balls
• Bouncy balls
• Fidget toys

Check out the Amazon wish list for bulk deals on many of these items. 

Focus: Shipping and Personalized Letter

If you will be attending the packing party next month, consider bringing photos/pre-done notes to include in each box you pack.

The church is planning on packing 200 boxes. Shipping cost is $10 per box.  

Ways to give:

• In-Person- Designate to Operation Christmas Child (OCC)
• Online Portal- Select "Operation Christmas Child" fund

Focus: Packing Party

When: November 15, 2025 from 2:00-4:00pm
Where: FBCG Fellowship Hall

National Collection Week: November 17-24, 2025

*If you have packed boxes on your own, please bring them to the church no later than Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Focus: Prayer

Prayer Guide Bookmarks can be found in the foyer.