Join the Birthday Giving Project
Create a party-in-a-box for a child in need.
Everyone loves to celebrate their special day. With this project, you'll make birthdays easier for families who are struggling.
Possible Recipients
Contact your local food pantry or shelter to ask if they accept birthday-in-a-box donations. Most are eager to receive this type of donation. They may offer their own guidelines or suggestions, in addition to those below.
What You'll Need
Anything to help make a party!
Box of cake mix and a can of frosting
Birthday candles (no matches, please!)
Simple wall decoration (streamers, banner, etc.)
New or gently used children’s book
Small $5-$10 gift appropriate to the age and gender of child
Optional: goodie bag with small surprises
Art supplies for your family to make a card
Shoebox
Wrapping material
Mailing carton and postage
Birthday card
Instructions
Connect with your recipient organization.
Choose what age and gender child you want to create your birthday box for.
Shop for items and wrap them
Wrap the top and bottom of a shoe box separately (so that even wrapped, the box can be opened). Fill it with the things you have gathered.
If you want, put a homemade birthday card in the box. Tie the box closed with ribbon, and label it with the age and “boy” or “girl” (e.g., “6-year-old boy” or “10-year-old girl”).
Drop your box off with the donation recipient.
Reflections
What are your favorite birthday traditions or memories?
What would it feel like to not get any presents on your birthday or not celebrate?
How would it feel to receive a “birthday party” box from someone you’ve never met?
What are ways you could make a birthday extra-special for someone you know?
Resources
Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss. A silly and joyous way of reminding you to celebrate how wonderful you are.
Birthday in the Barrio by Mayra Lazara Dole. Chavi learns that she can plan a meaningful birthday celebration even without a lot of money – and bring the community together at the same time.
http://www.orientaltrading.com. Have fun exploring and getting small birthday trinket ideas at this online marketplace. Includes party supplies, small gifts and teaching supplies.
Take it Further
If your child is making the box, he or she can raise the money to buy the birthday items at a bake sale or yard sale, or by doing extra chores.
Gather a group of friends, a church group or scout group and make a bunch of birthday boxes for kids of all different ages.
Host this project as a birthday party. Have guests bring items for the birthday boxes in lieu of gifts. For more inspiring birthday party ideas that give back, check out our e-book 12 Fun, Creative Birthday Parties that Give Back. Empower kids to use their birthday to do good!
Every year on your child’s birthday (or other notable date), make it a tradition to send a birthday box to a child in need
Still looking?
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