There are so many people who could use a little help during the holidays right here in our own backyards. Similarly, there are a lot of people who would love to help someone else this holiday season, but they don't have a lot of extra month themselves. My boys have kind of gotten out of control lately. All I hear is "me, me me" or "I want." So, I thought what better way to teach them what the holidays and life in general is all about than with a 25 Days of Giving countdown. So, starting today, and for the next 25 days, I will be posting each day to share how we are giving back this holiday season, and how you can too! What better way to do that, than with an online holiday box donation drive?

{Want to Donate to a Child?}

I wanted the boys to be actively involved in picking out items to give to another child, but at a cost that they could each afford to do so. So, I came up with the idea of creating small USPS flat rate shipping boxes full of goodies for a child in need in the United States. I know there are programs like this for other countries and that's great, but nothing really like this in our own backyard. I also know there are Toys for Tots and other Angel Tree type programs, but those generally require donations of larger and more expensive presents, and often exclude people who need help, but are not on certain lists or in certain programs.

So, do you have $10-$15 to use to help fill a box and ship it to a child in need? If you are interested in being matched with a child within the United States who needs a holiday box, please see the guidelines below and fill out this form.

Holiday Box Donation Form

How It Works:

1. Fill out the donation form above and receive the information of a child in need.
2. Pick up a free USPS small flat rate box from the post office, or go here to have one delivered to you.
3. Fill the box with goodies for the child to enjoy. See the list below for suggestions.
4. Mail your box by December 15th.

What Does It Cost?

The shipping of a small flat rate box to anywhere in the United States costs $5.80. You can fill the box with new items you may already have around the house, items from the Dollar Store or anything really. The general total cost of donating a box including shipping is between $10-$15. You certainly can get a larger box or spend more, but this is the minimum we advise.

Suggested Items

When you are matched with a child, you will receive their name, age and ideas of the types of things they like, but those are simply guidelines. You can include items like small toys, books, art supplies, their favorite goodies, etc. Please do not send items that could be considered dangerous or violent, please keep things religiously neutral, and refrain from sending homemade goodies unless they have specified it is okay.

{Do You Need Some Holiday Help?}

Are you someone in need? Do you have a child that would love to receive a small box of goodies this holiday season? If so, please fill out the Donation Request form below. Please be aware that while I will do my best to match up each child with a person willing to donate, I cannot guarantee that supply will meet our demand for help. Children will be assigned to someone on a first come first serve basis. We also cannot control what is included in the box your child will receive, please feel free to check the boxes contents first, and be aware that there is no minimum or maximum value for each box.

Sign Up to Receive a Holiday Box for Your Child

I hope we can all come together as an online community to provide a little something special for those of us who are in need!

I received no compensation for this post, this is simply something I am putting together to try and help others.