From 2021, 4-suit playing cards can be packed as well as other card games such as Snap or Uno.

These items are allowed unless they are extremely life-like could frighten a child.

Yes. However, if the batteries are loose, both ends must be covered with tape.

No, both of these items are liquids and can’t be included in your shoebox gifts. However, dry paint sets (such as watercolours or paint pallettes) or glue sticks are OK to pack!

Yes, for shoeboxes in the 10-14 age category. The only tools that cannot be included are saws or pocketknives. Please ensure anything that is loose or sharp is wrapped so as not to harm the child when they put their hands in the shoebox.

Yes, as long as they age appropriate (preferably those with a round nose or those that are part of a kit).

If the child can wear or use the items without looking like a soldier, they are OK to include in your shoebox gift. Pink or coloured camouflage is safe as are pencils or wallets.

We do not allow anything that resembles or could be mistaken for a weapon.

No, we are not able to send liquids of any kind.

Yes, wet wipes do not have enough liquid to spill out into the shoebox so they are OK to include in your gift. We recommend that you place them in a plastic bag.

No, these would be considered inappropriate because of the liquid.

Sweets are no longer considered appropriate items, as more exacting import regulations are starting to be implemented within the countries that receive UK shoeboxes. Detailed evidence of ingredients and expiry dates, which logistically cannot be supplied, will soon be a requirement. By removing sweets, we hope to prevent potential barriers and maintain the access to reach children in all receiving countries.

Lip gloss is a liquid and can’t be included. However, Chapstick, lip balm or lipstick can go!

Toothpaste is no longer considered an appropriate item, as more exacting import regulations are starting to be implemented within the countries that receive UK shoeboxes. Detailed evidence of ingredients and expiry dates, which logistically cannot be supplied, will soon be a requirement. By removing toothpaste, we hope to prevent potential barriers and maintain the access to reach children in all receiving countries.

Yes, Play-Doh can be included in your shoebox gift. However, some children might think it is edible, so it is best packed with cutters or as part of a kit.

Yes. Compact mirrors can be included because if the glass shatters, it will be contained.

We do not recommend that you add large items of clothing or footwear to your shoebox, as it takes up so much room. We want the child to receive a gift that has a good variety of items that they can love, learn from and play with. Small items like hats, gloves, socks, flip-flops or a rolled up T-shirt are fine as long as they do not dominate the box.

Yes, high quality handmade items such as hats, gloves, scarves, bags, purses, pencil cases, puppets and toys can all be packed, providing any stuffing used is proper toy stuffing and not dried beans or newspaper etc. Toys made from recycled wood are also great gifts to pack, but crafts obviously made from waste items such as bottle tops cannot be sent.

It’s OK to include sanitary items (e.g. reusable pads) in shoeboxes for 10-14 year old girls if you would like to. Please do bear in mind that shoebox gifts are often opened in public settings where boys and girls are together. To minimise any potential embarrassment, we would suggest placing these at the bottom of the box and including plenty of other fun toys and accessories.

Samaritan’s Purse is leading many projects for women at risk in developing countries as our primary response to this important issue, so we are not actively promoting sanitary kits as a shoebox gift but are pleased to facilitate those of our supporters who wish to include them.

Yes, for the 10-14 category. Please ensure anything that is loose or sharp is wrapped so as not to harm the child when they put their hands in the shoebox.

Feel free to remove packaging as long as it does not contain information that is needed e.g. building instructions. We would also suggest leaving packaging on hygiene items e.g. toothbrushes and bars of soap.

It’s a personal choice really. Putting your own address in can sometimes leading to begging letters but on rare occasions can also lead to personal thank you messages. One alternative, if you are concerned, might be to use a neutral address such as a church or school. Whatever you do decide, photos of who sent the box always go down well and are often kept for years.

Unfortunately, we are not able to tell you where your shoebox will be sent before you send it. However, it is our experience that items like hats and gloves are enjoyed in a range of climates. In fact, putting on these items is often the first thing a child does upon opening their shoebox gift. If you do have concerns, we suggest packing items that can be enjoyed wherever the box is sent.

We do not send political or religious literature in shoeboxes as the gift itself should be simple and uncontentious in nature. This also allows the local church to manage sensitively the relations with their communities. Literature that comes from the donor’s context and in the donor’s language – including Christian content – can confuse the children.

Instead Operation Christmas Child works hard to support the overseas churches to share the Christmas story of new life in Jesus in a child friendly way both verbally and through The Greatest Gift and The Greatest Journey materials in the local language. Where local partners assess it’s not appropriate to offer these materials, they don’t do so.

We cannot send obviously used items as most customs regulations require items to be new. Also, many children are more worldly wise than we realise and would be aware of the difference between someone’s unwanted items and a box of brand new gifts bought just for them. We feel that as the children have so little they deserve the best we can offer.

Yes, books are allowed but please bear in mind that the children may not be able to read English so books with lots of pictures are best.