A Canadian Christmas Tradition
Every year, Canadians filled out over 700,000 shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, combs, etc. through the Operations Christmas Child project run by the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse.
These shoeboxes are sent to children living in poor countries in Asia, South & Central America and West Africa. The collection time is November 16 to 23, so get to the nearest drop off point and donate your box.
Recommended Gifts:
Toys: Bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument. For boys trucks and cars, for girls dolls, clip on earrings etc.
Educational supplies: Felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, colouring book, notepad, picture or puzzle book, chalk, pencil case, stickers etc.
Hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, bar of soap, flannel etc.
Other items: Sweets (sell by date to be at least March of the following year), gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces etc.
Prohibited Items:
No food especially chocolate. Only exception, non chocolate sweets are allowed.
No medicine or vitamins of any kind.
No war related items: Toy guns, soldiers or knives of any kind.
No clothing other than listed above.
No fragile items: Glass containers, mirrors.
No liquids: including blow bubbles, shampoo, bubble bath, toiletry sets or aerosols.
No dangerous items: Any sharp objects, scissors or razors.
Nothing of a political nature.
No hand knitted stuffed toys without a CE mark.
To the world, you are someone. To someone, you are the world.
Do what we can do to help. No matter what is in your box, you would be very pleased to receive it knowing that somebody is remembering you. 
We do something similar here in the USA, it’s called toys for tots,a local radio station sponsors it along with several area business, it’s a great thing we still have hearts to give.
Wow…what a wonderful thing to do!! I’d love to do that when we have chances here.
Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse is one of the best Christmas ministries in the entire world. Our church packs hundreds of shoe boxes and our family supports it fully.
Always glad to hear of others supporting this wonderful cause.
wow I find it so fascinating learning about the Canadian traditions. I look forward to seeing future posts here.
“I had to refresh the page 2 times to view this page for some reason, however, the information here was worth the wait.”
WE Canadians like to help.
wow I find it so fascinating learning about the Canadian traditions.
Hello !
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Canadian people are known to be compassionate and polite. This Canadian tradition is an endearing one.
Amazing how people can help others with out the government intervening. The government could do the same thing at one hundredth the cost and serving 90% less kids!
As a Michigander I visit our Canadian brothers and sisters and I love every minute of it!
Mitch
I enjoyed watching the video!!! a great Canadian tradition indeed!
Never knew this, Awesome website. Keep it up.
This video is over the top!
You made a few good points there. I did a search on the subject and found mainly people will consent with your blog.
Always glad to hear of others supporting this wonderful cause.
Great. Wonderful Canadian tradition Video. i love this post.
Its good to help people with eatable when they are needed.
I enjoyed watching the video!!! a great Canadian tradition indeed!
Canadian people are known to be compassionate and polite. This Canadian tradition is an endearing one.