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Operation Christmas Child 2025

We are excited to announce the continuation of our annual festive tradition of supporting Samaritan’s Purse’s ‘Operation Christmas Child’ initiative! But we can’t do it alone, we need your help!

If you are looking for a fun and meaningful way to give back this Christmas, then join us in packing shoeboxes stuffed full of festive gifts for children around the world. This year ALL of our 11 branches will be acting as drop-off points for you to take your shoeboxes.

Since 1970, the charity has been dedicated to helping the most vulnerable people across the globe. Whether they are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease or famine, the organisation is committed to bringing aid to those who need it most.

Operation Christmas Child is one of the charity’s most recognisable and successful fundraising efforts. The project was launched in 1993, beginning with a small shipment of shoeboxes sent to children in the Balkans. What started as a call for a handful of simple gifts quickly grew, resulting in approximately 28,000 shoeboxes being delivered. Since that remarkable start, Operation Christmas Child has gone on to share over 220 million shoeboxes with children across more than 170 countries worldwide.

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Our Step-by-Step Guide

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This simple step-by-step guide makes it easier than ever to brighten a child’s Christmas this year.

1. Find a Shoebox – make sure it’s in a sturdy enough condition to carry its precious presents across the globe to its excited recipient!
2. Decorate the Shoebox – this is a lovely activity to do with family and friends. Start by choosing your favourite wrapping paper and make sure to cover the lid and box separately.
3. Label – tick whether the box is for a boy or girl and which age category it is suitable for. The options are ages 2-4 years, 5-9 years and 10-14 years.
4. Choosing the Gifts – now for the part you’ve all been waiting for! However, please make sure to check out Samaritan’s Purse’s Guidelines https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/unsuitable-or-inappropriate-shoebox-items to make sure your presents are suitable.
5. Drop Off – you can drop off your shoebox at ANY of our Edward Mellor branch locations during the National Collection Week from the 10th–17th of November. To find your nearest one, click here https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/find-drop-off-locations

Last year was a huge success, and it’s always wonderful to see your shoeboxes arriving! Let’s make 2025 bigger and better than ever!

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Gift Ideas

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Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but if you are struggling with ideas, maybe try some of these:

• • Cuddly Toy 
  • Board Games
  • Personal Care Items
  • Accessories
  • School Supplies
  • A personal note/Photograph

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Click here https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/unsuitable-or-inappropriate-shoebox-items for a more detailed list on what to pack. Together, we can brighten a child’s Christmas this year.

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Track Your Shoebox

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Operation Christmas Child is committed to spreading festive joy to children internationally. This means your shoebox could travel anywhere from Central Asia, West Africa, Europe or even the Middle East. If you want to track your parcel to discover which corner of the world it travels to, then follow these three simple steps:

1. 1. 1. 1. Donate £5 to help cover the shipping fees.
         2. You’ll receive a barcode for your shoebox.
         3. Print off the barcode and put it inside the shoebox on top of the contents.

At the end of January, you will receive an email with your shoebox delivery information detailing which country/territory your donation ended up in!

To find out more about Operation Christmas Child, visit the Samaritan’s Purse website using the link below, and please, support this worthy cause however you can.

Samaritan’s Purse

Related Pages

Edward Mellor Home | News