The Christmas Shoebox Action is a significant charity initiative aimed at collecting and distributing Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children, primarily in Hungary. The main goal is straightforward: to ensure that these children receive a gift that brings genuine joy during the holidays - a simple pleasure that many of us often take for granted - and to provide something that can truly brighten their lives.

This heartwarming campaign has international roots. The tradition began with an English grandmother who, moved by the difficult conditions faced by children after the World Wars, decided to pack gifts into a shoebox and send it to a child in need. She could never have anticipated that her thoughtful gesture would inspire millions to do the same decades later.

The Shoebox Action officially started in Hungary in 2003, initially in collaboration with HBAid (Hungarian Baptist Aid), with gifts being sent from Western Europe. Since then, the charity campaign has expanded significantly. It is now strongly supported by numerous Hungarian workplaces, schools, and local communities.

Today, HBAid successfully coordinates the distribution of over 50,000 Christmas gift parcels to children in need across the country, making it one of the most recognizable holiday charities in Hungary. 

How to Participate:
1. Find an empty shoebox in good condition. 
2. Fill the shoebox with gifts (toys, stationery, hygiene items, sweets, books). 
3. Wrap the finished gift package with colorful wrapping and secure it with tape or string. 
4. Clearly label the box with the age and gender of the intended recipient.
5. Deliver the finished package to one of the shoebox collection points by December 19 at the latest. 

Suggested Items for the Shoebox Gift:
- Books and reading material: storybooks, young adult novels, and coloring books.
- Toys and games: board games, cards, building blocks or construction toys, dolls, toy cars and other small sports equipment.
- Educational and skill-developing games, school and stationery supplies.
- Hygiene supplies: deodorant, shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and hand cream.
- Sweets and treats: candies, lollipops, chocolates, and biscuits or cookies. 

The Organizers kindly ask everyone not to include the following items in your gift boxes: Items that promote aggression or violence, perishable food, fragile items, medicines, broken or unusable toys.