Operation Christmas Child Year-Round Collection

2026 Updates:

•  We received stuffed animals from a local PetSmart location. 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 the Amazon Wishlists under each month which are filled with great deals on fun items for our boxes.

Inventory Last Updated: 4/9/26

Small to Medium-Sized Fun Items
Need: 1,545
Have:  2,055 (636 girl, 277 boy, 1,142 either)

Spotlight: Quality Handmade Items and Funds for 26 oz. Cups

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 most big box stores)
• 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 

*The school supplies for each box will include crayons or colored pencils purchased from church-designated funds.

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 14, 2026 from 2:00-4:00pm
Where: FBCG Fellowship Hall

National Collection Week: November 16-23, 2026

*If you have packed boxes on your own, please bring them to the church no later than Sunday, November 15, 2026.

Focus: Prayer

Prayer Guide Bookmarks can be found in the foyer. 

Colleen has served in children’s ministry for over 15 years and is deeply committed to helping young people grow in their faith. She is grateful for the opportunity to see God at work in the lives of children and families. Colleen has been involved with Operation Christmas Child for over a decade and is honored to serve in her third year as a ministry lead at First Baptist Church of Gahanna. 

Ariel is an elementary educator with over 14 years of experience serving in children’s ministry. She is passionate about helping children know and love Jesus and building a strong spiritual foundation in their lives. Ariel has been involved with Operation Christmas Child for more than 10 years and is serving in her third year as a ministry lead at First Baptist Church of Gahanna.