Operation Christmas Child

During half term week the boys and I packed our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  We do this each year and I think it is a brilliant project for the kids to get involved in and also a great opportunity to get them to think about children in other countries who are less fortunate and do not have the nice things they do.

We packed our shoe for boys that are the same age as Zack and Josh and the boys loved packing the items into the shoeboxes and we spoke about the children who would receive them.

If you would like to pack a shoebox you still have time - drop off week is 14-21 November 2016.  The website gives you lots of information about the project,  a list of suggested things to include (as well as prohibited items that you should not include) and also your local drop off points.

My top 10 tips for packing a frugal Christmas Child Shoe box

1.  Shop throughout the year for your shoebox items, you are more likely to pick up a bargain if you keep an eye out whilst your out and about plus it helps spread the cost.

2.   Shop the seasonal sales, places like Poundland discount seasonal items by 50% after Christmas and Easter so its a great opportunity to pick up stickers, craft items, cuddly toys etc.

3.  Buy multipacks and split the contents through a couple of boxes (or save for another year) for example you can split up packs of colouring pens and pencils and make up pencil cases, divide up hairbands or toy cars.

4. Keep the free toys from McDonalds Happy Meals, whilst these items are often overlooked by our children to those in another country who have nothing they maybe come a treasured item.

5.  If you knit or do craft the Operation Christmas Child Pinterest page has some great patterns of items to include in your shoebox.

6.  Hotel freebies,  items such as the soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pads, pens make great items for your shoe box.

7.  Free promotional items,  these are things you usually get given out at stalls in shopping centres or fairs.  Types of things in this range include - tote bags, pens/pencils, keychains these are all great items to include in the shoebox.

8.  Free mini lego kits, periodically throughout the year newspapers such as Daily Mail give out free lego kits throughout the week when you purchase the newspaper these are great items especially for the older boy shoe boxes

9.  Look out for items at Boot Sales or Garage Sales.  Items included in the shoeboxes need to be new but often you can pick up brand new unwanted items such as stationery kits, baseball hats, disney playing cards etc.

10.  A nice touch is to include a christmas card or photo in your shoebox to make it a little more personal.

Do you make Operations Christmas Child Shoeboxes? I would love to hear what you put in them and any tips you have!

Kelly x

Messy Church - Harvest Festival

Yesterday Zack and I attended the Messy Church Harvest Festival.

Messy Church is an activity based service which meets every few months with an emphasis on learning about the Bible and Christian faith in a fun and creative way and where families can enjoy quality time together

We celebrated Harvest Festival with some amazing activities and the produce donations will be going to the the food bank in Chelmsford which services those in need in the local community.

Conker Run! - Zack loved this!

Soda Bread making 

this was VERY popular! and unfortunately we didn't have enough time to make them

Vegetable paint printing

Zack likes to help set up the AV - ready for the songs and readings!

Thanks again everyone at  SWEC for another enjoyable Messy Church.

Previous Messy Church

Easter

Kelly x

Magic and Curry Night

Last night SWEC hosted a Magic and Curry Night.

The church was transformed for the evening beautifully decorated with midnight blue drapes strung with stars and the tables were set with vases filled with glimmering water crystals creating a wonderful atmosphere for the night.

Our magician for the evening was Nick Lear who is also the Regional Minister for Essex.  Nick wowed us with many illusions and tricks and showed the impossible was possible right in front of our eyes!

We were also treated to an amazing meal of samosas and bhajis, 3 types of curry and indian ice cream.

It was a truly magical evening!

Kelly x