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Operation Christmas Child

We are in the process of filling a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child. It is something we have been doing since Hannah was a baby. We fill a box with gifts for a child in a developing country who has never received a Christmas present and then send it to Samaritans Purse who organise for it to be delivered. By getting it filled now, they can get it delivered in December.

Our girls really look forward to filling a box each year. We try to pick a child who is the same age as the girls so that they can think about what a child their age would like. I think it is a great opportunity to talk with our kids about how fortunate they are, and it is a chance for them to practice a giving spirit. On a practical level, I also like that we do it a bit earlier in the year so I don’t suddenly hit December and try to squeeze it in amongst all the other Christmas ‘things’ (and this year it is especially appreciated).
I pick up bits and pieces through out the year as I see them on sale, and then in late August early September we sit down and look at what we have got and make a list of what we still need. The challenge is always to get things which will be fun, useful and fit into a box. The biggest hassle the girls have is toning down their ideas to what can realistically fit into a box (I remove most of the packaging to make more room).
Before

 Here is a list of what we have put into the box this year:

  • T-shirt, skirt, and underwear
  • Pencil case with pencils, pens, eraser, scissors and sharpener
  • Stickers
  • Exercise books
  • Wind up torch
  • Small stuffed animal
  • Face washer
  • Toothbrush
  • Hair brush, hair clips and elastics
  • Jumping Frog game
  • Hacky sack
  • Skipping rope
  • Bead necklaces
  • Magnifying glass
  • Draw string bag
After
Christmas is so full of gifts for the kids. They really do receive so much. I really appreciate the opportunity to do something with the kids which doesn’t focus on them. If you are interested click on the link above.
Do you do something similar for Christmas?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christine says

    December 6, 2013 at 2:57 am

    A pity I discovered this too late, it will definitely go on my list for next year! This year I'll just have to content myself with a gift for the Wishing Tree.

    Reply
  2. Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots says

    September 7, 2011 at 2:54 am

    Haha I totally didn't notice that it was linked 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jo @countrylifeexperiment says

    September 2, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    Hi Kate, Thanks for the comments! If you click on the link above it will take you directly to the Samaritans purse website! Hope you enjoy it!

    Reply
  4. Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots says

    September 2, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    I love that you do this with your kids. Such thought has obviously gone into the things you've chosen. I have done things like the present wishing trees with the children but I really like the sound of this. Can you send me the details of this organisation?

    Reply
  5. ChrissyK says

    September 2, 2011 at 6:15 am

    lovely 🙂

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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Team work makes the dream work. We were asked rec Team work makes the dream work. 
We were asked recently whether we “make” our kids work on the farm. The answer is “of course not”. Having said that, all three love to help out whenever they can. They all work hard because they want to; because they take pride in working hard and contributing in a meaningful way to our family life; because they love living on our farm and don’t remember life before we moved here. Whether it be planting trees or doing sheep work or feeding animals, they all want to be involved. As a parent, nothing is better than watching them grow in skill and confidence as they work along side you. We’re so glad that we get to spend time with our three, working together.
We’ve had an unexpected addition to the family ☘️🐑. She is a lot easier to look after than the other family members but she does try to escape her yard and head butt people. Poddy lambs are super cute but they tend to think they are a human. Clover the lamb is sure that Meg is her mum. Can’t think why… 🤔🤣
The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…
A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the scho A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the school holidays. We’ve been busy spending time with friends and family, harvesting the last of the summer produce, as well as a short escape to explore the big smoke. After the craziness of last term it was the break we all needed. It’s back to school for me tomorrow, and the kids are back on Wednesday. Shearing starts soon and so it’s all systems go over the next few weeks.
Covid has made some late changes to our weekend pl Covid has made some late changes to our weekend plans so we are embracing the unexpected and doing not much at home. Plenty of time for hanging out on the dam and enjoy the perfect weather.

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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