It is this time of year again… When my sister and I play Christmas elf in the Christmas Factory. If you are a regular reader you know about the sisterly tradition that we have established back in 2018. And this Monday we met up again for a 4 hour shift in getting some love filled shoeboxes on the way.
For everyone not knowing what I talk about here is a bit more back story.
Operation Christmas Child is a project by Samaritian’s Purse (German website). It is rather simple. You can pack a shoebox with gifts for a child that would otherwise not get a Christmas present. You then drop it off at collecting points. These boxes are then forwarded to the Christmas Factory. Here they need to be checked for their content. De to tax regulations not everything can be sent. Also it is taken care of that no harmful gifts (toy guns, war toys, magic toys, etc.) are included.
Last year we had to cancel short term because of meetings getting in the way and my sister just started her job three weeks prior so should couldn’t really get out of it. Unfortunately all other volunteering spots were already filled. I am glad this year worked out.
I picked my sister up somewhere on the way and we parked the car 5 minutes before our shit started. Unfortunately we sat around 20 minutes before the introduction video was showed because we were waiting for people who never showed…. That gave us some time to take pictures though.
Sneaked in the back and checked out the logistics.
As always I took the job of checking the boxes for content – money out, all candy and food out, making sure all is safe. This year I found a huge scissor in a box for a 2-4 year old. It was pretty obvious that was the scissor that person used to wrap everything.
Sometimes I needed to repack a box when it was damaged or too big or something. I try to leave the boxes as they are. Not taking anything out or filling the up with other stuff. A lot of the people always decide one box is much better than others and they move gifts around. It is a pet peeve of mine that they do it. I find it patronizing. Most people packing a box put a lot of thought into it. If I do my boxes and then someone comes a long and get s it all scattered it would annoy me to no end.
Since we weren’t able to attend last year my three packed boxes sat next to my shelf for the past 12 months. (I ended up donating the money I spent on the box and basically saved up this year. ) I am glad I could finally send them off. Here is a reminder what I packed.
I wrote a whole post about what I put in the boxes in 2023, 2022, 2020 and 2018 if you need inspiration.
My sister loves the job of playing Tetris and getting ans many shoeboxes in the bigger boxes. She is really really good at it and a real wizard. Taping and stuffing and taping and stuffing and hauling the boxes onto the conveyor.
Overall I enjoyed the evening and that we spend this special time together. I wasn’t in my best mental state (which is a whole other story I decided to not share) and was very tired and exhausted. And it didnt help that the playlist played Whams Last Christmas 4 times in 4 hours. Wasn’t there a game… who hears it first looses. Well I lost big time.
Anyways, this was my kick-off to the season and I am heading into it with a good deed done.
Are you volunteering this season? Ever packed a shoebox yourself? What would you love to find in your shoebox?
Some of the photos were taken by berlinmittekind.
11 comments
I love that you do this. I didn’t realise all the boxes would need to be checked, but that makes sense. We have packed a few boxes over the years. I volunteer all year, and so I won’t be adding anything extra—except I will provide some food for our OpShop volunteers’ Christmas party.
I have started volunteering more in my new church congregation this year and it does take a lot of time and commitment. The task are endless. I just talked to my sister about it that the great thing is that it is only one (or however many you sign up for) instead of a regular commitment which can be hard to do when working full time.
We pack boxes every year, but sadly don’t live close enough to a distribution centre to help with this sort of thing. It is a wonderful program (though I admit I was upset that Franklin Graham has endorsed Donald Trump). It really can change people’s lives!
Another great program is Compassion. We’ve sponsored two kids for years now and I just love receiving their letters. We send money for birthday’s and Christmas and it is so fun to see what things they are able to buy (school supplies and food at the most common things!).
Oh no…. really? I had no idea that the organization endorsed trump. That might change things. Back in 2017/2018 when I researched it was not something that came up. I need to discuss this with my sister and do some research.
But I agree these boxes will bring joy to the kids (who have nothing to do with world politics but will always be the losers). Most of our boxes are distributed in Eastern Europe so a lot will go to Ukraine.
I have not heard of Compassion.
My parents have adopted two kids through World Vision and get fun letters a few times a year.
I hope you will feel better soon Tobia! Thank you for volunteering and doing such amazing & kind work, it really sounds like fun doing this with a dear sibling.
Thank you Hanna. It is such a special day my sister and I have. In previous years she asked to bring her boyfriend and I explained that I love that it is just the two of us and she understood and now we always do it just the two of us.
This is such a lovely tradition, Tobia! In my town, there’s a “giving tree.” Children put their wish lists on paper ornaments, and people come and choose an ornament, buy and wrap a present, and put it under the tree. The gifts are distributed on Christmas. I often choose an ornament and buy a gift.
What a lovely tradition in your town. Is it for all kids or just some that struggle.
I think it’s meant for the kids who struggle, but as far as I know, no one monitors that.
I love this so much! I love that you’re volunteering! I love that you’re doing this with your sister and that it’s an annual tradition now. <3
I love everything about this too. I look forward to this day every year.