If you’ve been around for a while, you know that one of my huge passions is Operation Christmas Child. Our family works together to pack boxes every year and we’ve helped with collecting boxes as well as working at the OCC warehouse. One year, I even got to go to Haiti to deliver boxes in person! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can check out the Operation Christmas Child website. This year, the national collection week for shoeboxes is November 18-25.
This is such a great family project to do as Christmas approaches. One idea is to do a box that matches the age and gender of each of your children, and then let your kids help with the shopping, encouraging them to pick out the kinds of things they think they would like to receive.
Operation Christmas Child Ideas for 2019
The Basics
As I said before, the national collection week is toward the end of November, so even if it feels strange to already be thinking about Christmas, now is a great time to get started. All you’ll need to do is just find a shoebox and start packing! You’ll also want to be sure to include a $9 donation that helps cover the cost of transportation.
What to Pack
There are resources on the OCC website for what to pack, but you can also check out a post I did several years ago that includes a video on what to pack. The great thing is, many of the best things to pack are things you can get for cheap or free—school supplies, personal care items, etc.
There are also some things you shouldn’t pack. The website lists the following: candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.
Over the years, I’ve written several posts with ideas for what to pack:
65 Ideas for Things to Pack in Operation Christmas Child Boxes
DIY Operation Christmas Child Crafts
Top Ideas for What to Pack from Amazon
Have you done Operation Christmas Child before? Share your tips and experiences in the comments!
Snag great deals on Samsonite Luggage today at Kohls.com. They have Samsonite Luggage up to 50% off, plus we’ve got three stacking coupons to pair in!
To get the best deal you want to grab (2) bags so that your total is $200 before any coupons. Then use these coupons:
LUGGAGE50 – $50 off $200+ Select Luggage
YOUGET10 – $10 off any $50 purchase
GOLDEN30 – 30% off entire purchase with Kohls charge
or
SAVEBIG – 20% off any $100+ purchase
Plus earn $10 in Kohls cash for every $50 you spend after coupons.
A Few Deal Ideas (there are lots on sale):
Buy:
Samsonite ZipLite 3.0 20″ Carry On – $124.99 (reg. $259.99)
Samsonite ZipLite 3.0 24″ Spinner – $169.99 (reg. $319.99)
Use:
-$10 off with YOUGET10
-$50 off with LUGGAGE50
-30% off with GOLDEN30
Total Due: $164.48
Get Back: $30 in Kohls Cash
Makes it $134.48 for both or $67.24 each
Buy:
Samsonite ZipLite 4.0 20″ Spinner – $124.99 (reg. $259.99)
Samsonite Opto PC Hardside Spinner, 20″ – $99.99 (reg. $279)
Use:
-$10 off with YOUGET10
-$50 off with LUGGAGE50
-30% off with GOLDEN30
Total Due: $115.48
Get Back: $20 in Kohls Cash
Makes it $95.48 for both or $47.74 each
Here are the deals from the new Publix ad that starts either 10/16 or 10/17 (depending on your area). Get avocados for $1, Tena pads for 19¢, and more.
Gas Card Deal
- $10 off $50 Gas Card Station Gift Card with Grocery Purchase of $50+
(good Wednesday Oct. 17 – Sunday Oct. 20)
Buy One Get Ones
- Pero Family Farms Organic Snipped Green Beans, at $4.99 ($2.49)
- Sweet Baby Bell Peppers , 12 oz, at $2.99 ($1.49)
- Orchard Valley Harvest Salad Toppers, 3.5 oz, (price not listed)
- Microwaveable Sweet Potatoes, 24 oz, at $3.59 ($1.79)
- Smithfield Boneless Ham Steak, at $3.99 ($1.99)
- Perky Jerky , 2.2 oz, at $5.39 ($2.69)
- Perdue Chicken Breast, at $5.69 ($2.84)
-$1/2 Perdue fresh chicken products printable
-$1 off Perdue Fresh Chicken, Fresh Cuts pre-cut chicken, Perfect Portions chicken breasts, or ground chicken, incl Harvest Land or Harvestland Organic items, RMN 09/29
(makes it $1.84) Read More→
Can dinner get any easier?!
We have new Rana Coupons available to print today, plus right now they are on sale at a number of stores! Grab Pasta or Pasta Sauce for only $1.99 after the coupons and sales.
Note: All the sales except Kroger end Tuesday night. The Kroger sale is good through 10/22.
Rana Coupons
Coupons powered by Coupons.com
Current Sales
- Publix – Rana Pasta or Sauce, 7-15 oz, $3.50
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated pasta, 9-10 oz printable
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated sauce, 7-15 oz printable
(makes it $2.50) - Winn-Dixie – Rana Pasta or Sauce, 9-20 oz, B1G1 at $5.99 ($2.99)
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated sauce, 7-15 oz printable
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated pasta, 9-10 oz printable
(makes it $1.99) - Bi-Lo – Rana Pasta or Sauce, 9-20 oz, B1G1 at $5.99 ($2.99)
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated pasta, 9-10 oz printable
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated sauce, 7-15 oz printable
(makes it $1.99) - Kroger – Giovanni Rana Refrigerated Pasta or Sauce, 7-10 oz, $2.99
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated sauce, 7-15 oz printable
-$1 off Giovanni Rana refrigerated pasta, 9-10 oz printable
(makes it $1.99)
More coupons to print out:
Coupons powered by Coupons.com
Today only, you can use this World Market coupon code during their Friends & Family sale to get an extra 30% off almost everything!
Combine this with items already on sale to save big!
World Market Coupon Code
Enter code FRIENDSFAM at checkout to get this offer online.
For in-store purchases you can use this printable coupon.
Deal Ideas:
Terrazzo Coasters 4 Pack – $7.49 (reg. $14.99)
Use code FRIENDSFAM to get 30% off
Makes it $5.24
Medium Marble Pattern Ceramic Storage Canister – $9.09 (reg. $12.99)
Use code FRIENDSFAM to get 30% off
Makes it $6.36
Square Embossed Metal Sheena Coffee Table – $139.99 (reg. $349.99)
Use code FRIENDSFAM to get 30% off
Makes it $97.99
This sale is valid today only, 10/14. Shipping is FREE with orders of $75 or more (or choose in-store pickup if available).
Read More→
Hurry over and print a new $2 off So Delicious coupon to save on any So Delicious Dairy Free Dessert. The coupon is good for a month after you print it, but won’t be around for very long to print.
Even at full price a $2 off coupon basically saves you half! We do see this on sale if you want to print the coupon and wait a bit.
Here’s an idea of the deal with regular prices:
- Kroger – So Delicious Dairy Free Ice Cream, 1 pint, $4.79 (reg. price)
-$2 off So Delicious dairy free frozen dessert printable
(makes it $2.79) - Target – So Delicious Dairy Free Ice Cream, 1 pint, $4.69
-$2 off So Delicious dairy free frozen dessert printable - Walmart – So Delicious Dairy Free Ice Cream, 1 pint, $4.47
-$2 off So Delicious dairy free frozen dessert printable
(makes it $2.47)
Today only (10/14), stack a number of coupons together at Kohl’s to make deals on just about anything you want or need!!
You can use up to 4 coupons in the same purchase. So pick one of the top ones and then any of the ones after that depending on what you buy!
Plus you’ll earn $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent. Redeem your cash 10/17-10/27.
Kohls Coupon Codes
GOLDEN30 – 30% off entire purchase with Kohl’s Charge Card
or
SAVENOW – 15% off any order or 20% off $100+
YOUGET10 – $10 off $50+ purchase
HOME15 – 15% off Home Sale
TAKE15 – 15% off furniture & mattresses
OCTMENS10 – $10 off $50+ in Mens Style & Accessories
LUGGAGE50 – $50 off $200+ in Luggage
Today only, you can get 40% off select Reebok items during their Columbia Day sale when you use code TAKE40 at checkout!
This code is valid on select items, some of which are even on sale.
Deal Ideas:
Training Enhanced Bottle – $9.97 (reg. $20)
use code TAKE40 to get 40% off
Makes it $5.98!
Women Training Reebok Easy Tee – $12.97 (reg. $15)
use code TAKE40 to get 40% off
Makes it $7.78!
Enhanced Style Graphic Backpack – $34.97 (reg. $50)
use code TAKE40 to get 40% off
Makes it $20.98!
This offer is valid today only, 10/14. Sign into your Reebok account to get FREE shipping (it’s FREE to sign-up for an account).
See more online shopping deals!
Make a play date with your dog and head to PetSmart on Saturday 10/19 for a FREE Doggie Day Camp Play Time.
In participating stores from 10am to 4 pm you can play, see live demos, get free doggie ice cream, score 50% off coupons and more!
Head here to find locations that are participating near you (click on show only stores with doggie day camp).
Note: This is to promote their new doggie day camp facilities.
