Operation Christmas Child | Save Money Packing Shoe Boxes

I love, love, love Operation Christmas Child.  I would pack hundreds of shoe boxes if I could.  One thing I am able to do though, is pack more shoe boxes than I could if I didn’t use coupons.  Being able to give generously is just one of the many benefits of couponing.

I’m going to show you how to pack your shoe boxes to the brim with goodies, without breaking the bank!

Some of the shoe box gift ideas are hygiene items.  I’m sure you’ve found by now, that there is no shortage of toothpaste or toothbrushes in a couponers house!  I actually found some really cute kids toothbrush/toothpaste combo packs in the trial size section at Target for 99¢.  There were $1 coupons good on any kids toothpaste (not excluding trial sizes) a while back (now expired) that I was able to use to get them free.  So, I’m able to include those packs in the shoe boxes and they didn’t cost me a penny!

Other gift ideas are school supplies!  If you were couponing this summer, then you remember the tons and tons of school supplies we were able to get free at CVS and several other stores.  Crayons, pencils, and note pads – into the box they go, and not a penny spent so far.

So far I’ve mentioned how I’m packing my boxes with past deals.  What about those who are just now starting to coupon?  I have some tips for you too!

• Halloween Clearance – My Target has all halloween items on clearance 75% off!  Look for non-chocolate candy, small toys, crayons, play-doh, pencils, stickers, clothes, and anything that isn’t scary and can fit in a shoe box.
• Target Dollar Spot – My favorite section at Target is the Dollar Spot.  The dollar spot is a section near the front of the store with items selling for just $1 each!  There are tons of toys, games, puzzles, socks, notebooks, and various other things you can include in the shoe boxes.
• Coupons and Trial Sizes – It may seem obvious to use coupons to get some of your items cheaper, but use them on the trial sizes and you could get them free!  Look for coupons that do not have the wording “excludes trial size” anywhere on it.  Then pair the coupon with the trial size version and you could get the item free.  The trial sizes fit great in the boxes too!
• Dollar Stores –  You can find everything you need to fill your shoe boxes and it will probably be cheaper than just about anywhere else at full price.

My point is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to give generously!  By looking for deals and using coupons, maybe you can pack an extra shoe box and bless one more child.

It’s day #5 of the 30-Day Giving Challenge….have you joined in yet?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9