What Is A Giftbag?
Not only does Holiday Express bring the Christmas spirit to all those we see, but we also distribute essential items that are greatly needed. At every place we visit, everyone in attendance receives a gift bag from us. Event Managers confer in advance with the contact at each facility and pass along suggestions to the Warehouse Elves, and the contents of each gift bag are carefully thought out to match the needs of the individuals. The Warehouse Elves then work extremely hard
to make sure all 15,000+ bags get packed with loving care.
Gift bags often include what we call a “Toiletry Kit,” which consists of shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, lip balm and a washcloth. It also includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, deodorant and due to special donations, adult and teen make-up kits. These personal care items are put into a clear plastic bag and tied with a festive, colorful ribbon. As you can imagine, making over 10,000 of these kits takes a lot of time!
Clothing items are just as important to our clients; and in the gift bags, we include warm fleece blankets, wool hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, ponchos, slippers, T-shirts, and baseball hats. Of course, besides receiving the necessities, our clients need to have some fun as well!
Other items in the gift bags are: activity books, beanie babies, coloring books, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, pads of paper, playing cards, reading books, wallets, change purses, and naturally, stuffed animals. All of the items are placed into either a duffel or tote bag, or for the children, a backpack; and sometimes in a special Holiday Express drawstring bag.
So to all of you out there who donate, volunteer and support Holiday Express, please feel confident that you are helping those in need. Your contributions are one of the biggest parts of this organization; and, without all of you, none of this would be possible. So thank you for all you do!
To make a gift bag or raffle donation, please contact us.
Donation Items
We Always Need
MOST NEEDED
blankets and more blankets
men's ski gloves/mittens
(large, extra large)
TOILETRY KIT ITEMS
toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant,washcloths, lip balm, shampoo, soap, hand lotion, shower gel, hairbrushes, combs, small packages of tissues,
FUN STUFF FOR ADULTS
playing cards, adult puzzle/activity books
CLOTHING ITEMS
stretch gloves, mittens, knit hats, sweatshirts/sweatpants XL and XXL, scarves, socks
KID STUFF
travel version board games, fun key chains, silly putty, Beanie Babies, action figures, Matchbox cars, coloring books, puzzle/activity books comic books, shampoo, bubble bath, colored pencils, crayons, markers
TEENS
T-shirts, CD Walkmans, gift cards, nail polish
Items in bulk are most appreciated.