We really will make up and send out each shoebox created online. Each gift you choose online will have a corresponding gift packed inside an actual shoebox. On some occasions we may have to substitute one gift for another similar gift if stocks run out.

We may need to add further gifts to your shoebox in the unlikely event that your shoebox ends up being too empty. But otherwise, what you select online is what we put into your shoebox.

Each gift price is better than average high street or online prices and we buy all of our gifts in bulk in order to achieve this. When sourcing these items, it is important to us that they are good quality gifts the children will love. Your Shoebox Online donation also includes a project donation to cover the cost of shipping your shoebox gifts and providing training and project materials for local churches overseas to run the Operation Christmas Child outreach events where children receive shoebox gifts. Any surplus funds from your Shoebox Online donation goes toward covering the cost of purchasing shoeboxes, running Shoebox Online and towards the work of Samaritan’s Purse with children and families around the world.

We have a warehouse where our dedicated staff team will be preparing your shoeboxes. They will assemble the shoeboxes, fill them with your gifts and messages, and prepare them to be shipped overseas.

This year many of our online shoeboxes will arrive in time for Christmas. However, because it will take time to purchase the gifts, assemble and pack each shoebox and prepare them for shipment, some online shoeboxes will not arrive in time for Christmas, especially those packed later or travelling further afield e.g. Africa. However, each shoebox will end up in the hands of a child in need in the next few months – and they really won’t mind receiving it after Christmas.

We do not currently have the ‘Follow Your Box’ function for Shoebox Online gifts, but you will receive an email letting you know which countries our 2023 Shoebox Online gifts were sent to (e.g. Middle East, Centra Asia, etc.).