Valentine's Day goodies.

My boys love little containers to put things in.  So when I saw Dollarama was selling these out I picked  up a few pkgs and thought they'd be the perfect addition to my boxes. 3 pkgs for $1.00.  I think there are 4 per pkg.   They contain jelly beans but I'll take those out and see what God places in my path to fill them with:)

I did find a few other things this morning, erasers, notebook some cute valentine's tape to either add to a box or decorate a box with.

Anyone else find some neat Valentine's day goodies.

2-4 boy

Wooden people and book - $1.00 - Dollarama

Underwear - .60   - Walmart - 5 Pairs for $3.00 clearance in April.

Visor - .50 cents - clearance can't remember where.

Wooden Airplane - .25 cents - Target clearance after Christmas

T-shirt - $1.94- Superstore summer clearance

Cup - .25 cents - Dollarama 4 for $1.00

Stuffed Animal - .25 cents - thrift store

Crayons -.75 cents - Walmart

Eraser -.18 cents - Superstore 5 pack for .94 cents

Pencils -.05 cents - Superstore 10pack for .10 cents

Pencil Sharpener- .25 cents - Dollarama 4 pack for $1.00

Lose leaf -.04 cents - Superstore

Wash Cloth- .33 cents - Giant Tiger.  3 pack for $1.00

Soap- .30 cents - Superstore.  10 pack for $2.99

Stickers - $1.00 Dollarama

Flip Flops - $1.00 - Old Navy

Toothbrush .20 cents - Dollarama.  5 pack for $1.00

Total $8.59





5-9 girl

Stickers - $1.00 - Dollarama

Wiggly Worm - .10 cents - thrift store

Stuffed Animal - .94 cents - Superstore.  Easter Clearance

Shoes - $1.00 - Thrift store.

Bag with flower - free with clinic purchase

Underwear -.70 cents  - Giant Tiger 10 pack for 7.00

Sewing kit - free from hotel

Socks - .20 cents - Michaels clearance

Cup- .25 cents - Dollarama 4 for $1.00

Loose leaf - .04 cents -Superstore - .19 cents divided 5 ways

Note book -.06 cents- Staples. 3 pack for .25 cents

Small notebook .50 cents - Superstore Valentines clearance

Pencils - 20 cents - Michaels

Pens - .15 cents - Walmart.  10 pack for .50 cents

Eraser - .10 centsWalmart - Valentines clearance 5 or 6 pack for .50 cents

Hairbands - 10 cents - Thrift store

Toothbrush-.20 cents - Dollarama - 5 pack for $1.00

Wash Cloth- .22 cents- Walmart - 18 pack for $4.00

Braclets -.80 cents Reitmans 5 pack for $2.00

Skipping rope - .32 cents - Dollarma 4 pack for $1.25

Pencil Crayons .75 cents- Superstore

Total $7.13

Cutlery- Canadian Tire 3 day sale.

I can't remember where I read it, but someone mentioned adding a spoon to their box.
And I thought what a great idea!
It takes up very little room, and could make life easier.
I personally can't even imagine not having cutlery.
But adding it to your box could be an answer to prayer.
I have been on the look out for cutlery.
I have bought a little bit at Dollarama.
But was looking for some better quality cutlery.
Remember these precious children only receive one box.
And this cutlery would probably used for the whole family.
So I want to send good quality items.

Canadian Tire is having a 3 day birthday sale, starting today.
They have a 20 piece set of cutlery on sale for $9.98.
It looks like it is really good quality.
And you could divide this between a few boxes.
Remember you can not send a knife.

Also included in the flyer was a scratch and win.
You could win

• McCains Deep n' Delicious Cake coupon
• $5.00 instant savings
• 1 of 3 $5,000 

I figured I would pick up a few plastic shoe containers this weekend.
And use my scratch and win.  Maybe I'll get $5.00 off  or at the least I'll have a delicious cake:)

Under $10.00 boxes. 10-14 boy

This is the first year I am collecting supplies all year around.
And I must say that enjoy the hunt of finding a good bargain.
It's amazing what God puts in our path.

I decided to do a 10-14 boys box first.
I do believe that 10-14 boxes are the least amount packed world wide.
And in my mind I always thought they were hard to pack for.
But after hearing that they receive the least amount of boxes I was determined to pack more for them.
I have enjoyed looking for ideas online.
The Operation Christmas Child facebook page has great ideas, as does Clip with a Purpose.
So here's what I've come up with for my first box under $10.00
And I have found they are not that to fill;)

Multipurpose tool $2.00 - Dollarama
Water bottle .05 cents - New from a garage sale.
Bungee cords .50 cents - Dollarama.- pack of 4 for $1.00 divided between 2 boxes.
Truck- not sure where it came from.  Has been sitting in my boys room, never played with.
Underwear .60 cents -Walmart- package of 5 for $3.00 (this was a great sale back in April)
T-shirt $1.94 Superstore - summer clearance.
Marbles $1.00- Dollarama
Stuffed animal - .25 cents - New from a thrift store.
Pencil case - $1.00 - Dollarama
Notebook - .06 cents.  Staples Pack of 4 for .25 cents.
30 sheets of loose leaf.  .04 cents.  Superstore. A pack of 150 sheets divided 5 ways. 
5 pencils .12 cents. Superstore- pack of 10 for .25 cents.
3 Pens .25 cents - Staples - pack of 12 pens for $1.00
Eraser .19 cents - Superstore- pack of 5 erasers for .94 cents
Pencil sharpener .25 cents - Dollarama - pack of 4 sharpeners for $1.00
Pencil crayons .50 cents.  -Superstore-$1.24 divided by 2.
Balloons  free -from a parade
Wash cloth .33 cents. - Giant Tiger- pack of 3 for $1.00
Soap .30 cents - Superstore - $2.99 for 10 pack
Tennis Ball .16 cents -Superstore - $2.97 for a 18 pack
Slinky .25 cents - Target -after Christmas clearance.
Bouncy Ball .09 cents.  - Independent dollar store- $1.50 for a package of 12.

Grand Total $9.83

Although I just noticed I did not include a comb.
This is a staple in my boxes. 
I usually buy a package of 8 from Dollarama for $1.00
So add .12 cents to my total.

And candy I will add from my boys stash of halloween candy.

Which age and gender would you like to see next?

The Box

Have you ever thought of the box as part of the gift?
It is often treasured.
You can use a standard shoe box.
Ask friends to collect them through out the year for you.
Ask a shoe store if they have any extra boxes.
Closer to the collection week you can pick up OCC boxes at various locations.
Hallmark and Dollarama in our area carry them.
Buy a plastic shoe box.   Think of it as another gift to them.
When you have nothing a box to put something in is very special.
I've heard that mothers really appreciate the plastic boxes.
The box is for the child but the whole family benefits from the contents.

Don't forget to decorate the box.
If it is cardboard.
Wrap it with wrapping paper.
Add stickers, bible verses.
Paint it.
For plastic boxes add stickers.
Put a piece of fabric at the bottom, or a bandanna.

Any other ideas how to decorate the box?

4 pkgs of pencil crayons + 1 pkg of pencil sharpeners= 8 happy kids

4 packages of  24 pencil crayons with pencil sharpener

at Walmart or Superstore.

4 x $1.25 = $5.00

1 package of pencil sharpeners.

$1.00 at Dollarama.

Divide each package of 24 pencil crayons in 1/2.

Now you have enough pencil crayons for 8 boxes.

Plus 8 pencil sharpeners.

(4 free pencil sharpeners which come on the box and the pack of 4 from Dollarama)

All for $6.00 or .75 cents a box.