christmas in a shoe box

Hi guys!

Yesterday it was time for a yearly ritual. I'm officially a Catholic and although I'm not religios at all, I participate in a project from the Diakonie (a non-profit welfare organization of the church) every year. It's called "Weihnachten im Schuhkarton" (christmas in a shoe box). It's the most wonderful idea to do something for children who live in misery and poverty.


For my German-speaking readers:

Diese Aktion gibt es in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz! Es geht darum Kindern in Armut (hauptsächlich in Georgien, Polen, Bulgarien, Slowakei etc.) ein schönes Weihnachtsfest zu bereiten indem man einen Schuhkarton voll mit schönen Kleinigkeiten packt. Falls ihr helfen möchtet findet ihr HIER alle wichtigen Infos.
Nach Weihnachten gibt es dann auf der Diakonie-Website immer Fotos, Videos und Dankesbriefe von den Kids, sich das anzuschauen ist meist schöner als jedes Geschenk.
Bis 15. November könnt ihr noch Schuhkartons in den landesweiten Abgabestellen abgeben.



So switching back to English now, here's how it works:




First you have to wrap a shoe box with gift wrap paper...



...to make it look like a real gift.





Then you fill it with everything a children's heart desires (before you need to decide if the box is for a boy or a girl and for which age group).




Finished. My box contains toys, candy, socks and sanitary products for a girl between 5-9 years.


When I brought my box to the collecting point (a Christian bookshop) the owners were so amazed that young women like me pack these boxes as well. (Well, they're devout Christians, so I guess they don't see pierced people walk in their shop very often. ^^)
I left a little donation of 6 Euro in their collecting box because that's what they recommend to cover the transport expenses.

Then after Christmas there will be videos on the Diakonie website, showing where the shoe boxes were given to the poor children. Some of them still live in ruins without electricity, running water or a way to heat their rooms - which is so unbelievable. So you can imagine how happy the children are to receive gifts for Christmas :)


Oh last but not least here are the last two outfit photos. It's what I wore yesterday when I brought away my shoe box. I'll definitely pack another one next week (deadline is the 15th of November).




jacket + shirt + pants + scarf + hat: h&m, belt: new yorker, shoes: akira, bag: primark





What about you guys? Do you participate in welfare projects for Christmas or maybe even during the whole year?


Have a great weekend!




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