Gather Items All Year for Christmas Charities

If you participate in Christmas gift charities, such as Operation Christmas Child and the like, here is a tip to make giving those gifts much easier and which will also have you thinking of the recipients all year long!

Throughout the year, keep your eyes open for great deals on new toys, clothes, and personal items that can be used in your gifts. Clearance bins, mark-down specials, and close-outs can supply many of the items you will eventually need. I especially look out for school supplies at special start-of-school prices and also clothes as they are marked down drastically at the end of each season. I also pay close attention at yard sales and thrift stores for items that are new in their original packaging, or those "kids meal" toys that were never even opened. When stores "re-set" their shelves, many items may be placed in clearance buggies, especially hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant. Don't forget that bulk packaging can be a cost-saver as well, so don't dismiss those discounted multi-packs of socks, soap, toothbrushes, or the like; they can be spread out for use in several boxes.

After each purchase, I put the items in a box used just for that purpose. By the time November rolls around, I often have a great many things saved back. Doing this has helped our family prepare many more Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes than we could otherwise. Stretching the gifts out during the year puts our family into a "giving" mindset all year long. Even my 6 year old daughter participates in this, as she has spotted many great deals. She also benefits greatly because she is often reminded to think of others.

This tip can apply to other charities as well, such as winter clothing drives. Buy those winter clothes at huge savings when they are marked for clearance in spring, then keep them back for next year's giving.