This is the second year where I’ve decided to try and fill a shoebox for free.  I don’t think I would send a shoebox only containing free items, though if the items are good quality there’s no reason not to.  The aim of this challenge is to show that you can fill a shoebox inexpensively. Alternatively use some of the ideas to make your shoebox as full as possible, without costing the earth – financially and literally.

I use sites like Freegle and Freecycle to find items people no longer want that are still in great condition – sometimes brand new.  Freegle and Freecycle aim to prevent items going into landfill.  You could also try the free section on Gum Tree or similar sites, and ask family members, friends, colleagues for items you can add.

Family Shoebox

Essential Family Items
Gloves or Scarf or Hat	Hats knitted using wool from Freegle, Scarf from fleece from Freegle
Toothbrush and Toothpaste	Bamboo Toothbrushes x 4 Freegle Toothpaste samples – Dentist free samples
Soap and Flannel	Soap and body puff – Freegle
Candles, Tealights, Holders	Tealights and Gu pot – Freegle
Small Games	Snakes and ladders – Free printout, buttons as counters – Freegle, dice free with cards
Sweets	Would need to purchase sweets
Additional Items – 5 or more
Crayons/felt pens	24 long pencil crayons – Freegle Carry case and pencil sharpener – Freegle
Colouring Pads	A4 Lined and blank paper pad – Conference Pages from colouring book – Freegle
Small Toys	Toy Cars – Freegle
Soft Toys	Toy Cat – Freegle
Sewing Kit	Small sewing kit, and extra threads, buttons, thimble and tape measure – Freegle

This would be the minimum requirement for a family shoebox. But as this hasn’t cost anything (other than buying sweets) I’ve added extra items.

Extra items
Shampoo	Small shampoo – Hotel
Jewellery	Necklace – Freegle
Tape measure/DIY Tool	Screwdrivers  – Freegle
Other gifts	Tie – Freegle
Other gifts	Notebook  – Freegle Biros – Conference, Freegle
Other gifts	Socks – Men’s and ladies
Other gifts	Small embroidery/nail scissors Freegle
Other gifts	Hair grips, slides, Head band – Freegle
Other gifts	Shower Gel – Freegle
Other gifts	Hand cream – Freegle
Other gifts	Shoulder bag – recycled jeans

The image below is of the full contents of the family box filled for free!

Elderly Shoebox

The elderly box is very similar, with most items coming from Freegle. I would probably knit a men’s beanie hat using free wool from Freegle, as the hat I’ve received are probably more suited to a woman. I’ve included practical, gender-neutral items such as a mug, notebook and pens.

Essential Elderly items
Gloves or Scarf or Hat	Hat – Freegle gloves – Freegle
Toothbrush and Toothpaste	Bamboo Toothbrushes x 2 Freegle Toothpaste samples – Dentist free samples
Soap and Flannel	Soap and body puff – Freegle
Candles, Tealights, holders	Tealights and Gu pot – Freegle
Small Games	Playing cards – Freegle
Sweets	Would need to buy
Additional Items – 5 or more
Reading Glasses	Reading glasses and case – Freegle
Mug	Mug/cup  – Freegle
Pen and Paper	Note pad, and biros – Conference
Sewing Kit	Small sewing kit, and extra threads, buttons, thimble and tape measure – Freegle
Scissors	Small embroidery/nail scissors – Freegle

As with the family shoebox this would be the minimum requirement other than adding some sweets or chocolate. As it hasn’t cost any money, I’ve added quite a few extra items. I’ve added some items which might be more suited to one gender than another but have tried to balance them out. The head scarf, hair accessories and bracelet are balanced by the tie and braces.

Extra items
Shampoo	Small Shampoo – Hotel
Jewellery	Bracelet – Freegle
Tie	Tie – Freegle
Tape measure/DIY Tool	Screwdrivers – Freegle
Socks	Men’s and ladies socks– Freegle
Other gifts	Shower Gel – Freegle
Other gifts	Shopping bag – fabric from Freegle
Other gifts	Hair Accessories – Hair grips, slides – Freegle
Other gifts	Hand Cream – Freegle
Other gifts	Head scarf/pashmina – Freegle
Other gifts	Braces – Freegle

The image below is of the full contents of the Elderly shoebox filled for FREE!

I hope this has inspired you to see what might be available locally to either enable you to fill a shoebox, increase the contents of a shoebox or fill extra shoeboxes.