Christmas 2004 was my family’s first time to participate in Operation Christmas Child. At the age of almost-four, we felt it was time for our daughter Lydia to begin learning about Christmas giving rather than just Christmas receiving. With some degree of apprehension, I explained what we were going to do and then took her to the local dollar store to select items for our shoebox. I was a little worried she would get a case of the "gimmes" and want to buy everything for herself. On the contrary, she had great fun picking out things for "the little child who is poor." We enjoyed the experience so much that we have participated every year since then.

As we collected items for our shoebox last year, a novel thought occurred to me. The concept of giving shoeboxes for Christmas has other practical applications. Here are a few I thought of:

* Scaling back Christmas gift giving – Whether you need to scale back for financial reasons, or simply want to scale back because you think it’s gotten out of hand, limiting gift giving to one shoebox per person is a great way to go. Obviously if all gifts must fit in one shoebox, that limits not only how many items but what kinds of items can be given. You can still give more expensive items if you want (gift cards, jewelry, cash, etc.), but knowing that each person will only receive one shoebox controls expectations.

* Clutter-free gift giving – As Lydia and I put together our shoebox, I noticed that we included many consumable items—items that would either get eaten up or used up. Most grandparents and older people have more than enough of everything they need. They have little room for trinkets and gadgets, but appreciate practical items that won’t create clutter in their homes. A shoebox filled with consumable items—food items, toiletries, stationery, health and beauty products—would be a thoughtful gift idea for practically any senior adult on your list for practically any gift-giving occasion.

* Long distance gift giving – Don’t you hate the expense of mailing large boxes of gifts to long-distance friends and relatives? Limiting the size of packages to a shoebox would definitely help control shipping costs. This rule would also make shipping easier, as almost everyone has plenty of empty shoeboxes and brown paper bags around the house for wrapping up the boxes. What if you have several shoeboxes to send to one family? No problem. Just put your shoeboxes in one larger box for mailing.

* Good for other needy people, too – Children in foreign countries aren’t the only ones who could benefit from receiving a shoebox of goodies. We have many people right here in America who need a loving touch. Why couldn’t a church or charitable organization start a Christmas shoebox program for inner city families, the homeless, people in nursing homes, or shut-ins? And why limit it to Christmas? These people need ministry all year long. Shoeboxes filled with practical items and special treats could be just the way to do good deeds for people who are often overlooked.

* An educational experience for kids – One last idea. This year I plan to give my daughter a Christmas shoebox, too. I believe it will be educational for her to experience a little of how it must feel for the children who receive shoeboxes from Samaritan’s Purse. Of course, the effect is not exactly the same. Unlike most of the Operation Christmas Child children, she knows she will receive other presents. However, I hope the excitement she feels as she opens her box will make an indelible impression and help her to be more empathetic toward those who have so little.