We're partnering with Sheffield Shoebox Appeal to brighten the holiday season for adults in need, including the homeless, socially isolated elderly, and individuals residing in hostels, temporary accommodation, and safe refuges.

While many have access to essential items such as toothbrushes/paste, they may not have the small luxuries that make the holidays special. For many, this may be their only Christmas gift, so we want our boxes to be filled with treats and thoughtful items.

We need your help to fill shoeboxes for different categories: adult male, adult female, senior male, and senior female. If you can't contribute a full box, we gratefully accept individual items to help fill boxes.

What to include

Male box

  • Toiletry gift set
  • Body spray or after shave
  • Hat, gloves, and scarf
  • Socks or slippers
  • Chocolates or sweets
  • Christmas treats - eg mini Christmas cake, biscuits
  • Savoury items such as small packs of luxury nuts or dried fruit
  • Sachets of luxury hot chocolate
  • Reusable drinks bottle
  • Keyrings
  • Small torches
  • Small games or quiz cards
  • Puzzle books and a pen
  • Small puzzles
  • Magazine or book
  • Dominoes or similar
  • Pack of cards
  • Mug or reusable drinks cup
  • Gift cards that can be spent in shops such as Costa or Greggs
  • Christmas cracker, ornament, or decoration

Female box

  • Toiletry gift set
  • Body spray or perfume
  • Moisturiser, body cream, or body lotion
  • Luxury bubble bath or bath bomb
  • Shower puff or exfoliating gloves
  • Make-up and nail varnish
  • Manicure set
  • Jewellery and hair ornaments
  • Hat, gloves, and scarf
  • Fluffy socks
  • Slippers
  • Chocolates or sweets
  • Christmas treats - eg mini Christmas cake, biscuits
  • Savoury items such as small packs of luxury nuts or dried fruit
  • Sachets of luxury hot chocolate
  • Christmas cracker, ornament, or decoration
  • Photo frame
  • Scented reed diffuser
  • Ornaments/trinkets
  • Battery operated fairy lights (with batteries)
  • Mini hot water bottle
  • Small craft kits
  • Notebook or puzzle book with a pen
  • Magazine or book
  • Mug or reusable drinks cup
  • Purse
  • Gift cards that can be spent in shops such as Costa or Greggs

Senior male box

  • Hat, gloves, and scarf
  • Christmas socks
  • Slippers
  • Aftershave
  • Body lotion or face cream
  • Toiletry gift set
  • Christmas treats - eg mini Christmas cake, biscuits
  • Chocolates or sweets
  • Mini luxury jam or marmalade
  • Savoury items such as small packs of luxury nuts or dried fruit
  • Sachets of luxury hot chocolate
  • Christmas cracker, ornament, or decoration
  • Notebook or puzzle book
  • Pens
  • Adult colouring book and crayons
  • Nail file, clippers, or manicure set
  • Small puzzle or jigsaw
  • Small craft kit
  • Mini hot water bottle
  • Magazine or book
  • Something to brighten a room - eg framed picture, trinket, fake plant
  • Photo frame
  • Mug
  • Wallet
  • Diary

Senior female box

  • Hat, gloves, and scarf
  • Fluffy socks
  • Slippers
  • Silk scarf or pashmina
  • Perfume
  • Body lotion or face cream
  • Toiletry gift set
  • Christmas treats - eg mini Christmas cake, biscuits
  • Chocolates or sweets
  • Mini luxury jam or whisky marmalade
  • Savoury items such as small packs of luxury nuts or dried fruit
  • Sachets of luxury hot chocolate
  • Christmas cracker, ornament, or decoration
  • Notebook or puzzle book
  • Pens
  • Adult colouring book and crayons
  • Scented candle, reed diffuser, or draw liners
  • Nail file, clippers, or manicure set
  • Small puzzle or jigsaw
  • Small craft kit
  • Mini hot water bottle
  • Magazine or book
  • Something to brighten a room - eg framed picture, trinket, fake plant
  • Photo frame
  • Mug
  • Purse
  • Diary
What  not to include

Please don't include:

  • Tins of food, or any food that needs cooking
  • Food that will be out of date before Christmas
  • Large bars of soap
  • Razors
  • Any open or used toiletries, or large bottles of toiletries
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Alcohol, or any food containing alcohol
  • Knives, or tools that contain knives
  • Sanitary products
  • Children's toys
  • Clothes
  • Money
  • Religious materials

How to pack a box

1. Wrap a shoebox

Wrap a shoebox with wrapping paper - wrap the box and lid separately as all boxes have to be opened and checked.

Not got a box? We have a limited number of pre-wrapped shoeboxes available to collect from Hallam SU - Owen. Please do try and provide your own box where possible.

2. Fill the box

Fill the box as much as you can with a mix of items, including some luxury items. Remember to remove price tags!

3. Add a message

Include a Christmas card and a message.

4. Add a label

Add a removable note/label to the box, listing:

  • Who the box is for - male, female, senior male, or senior female
  • The student numbers of those that contributed

5. Donate your box

Donate your box by dropping it off at Hallam SU - Owen, Monday-Friday (9am-5pm).

We're accepting donations from Monday 9 November to Friday 27 November, 5pm.

Can't contribute a whole box? Donate loose items to contribute to a box instead.

Want to pack your box with others?

Wednesday 25 November, 1pm-3pm

Sign up online

Join us and the Food and Nutrition Society (FANS) for a festive group packing session!

Bring along any items you've collected, and wrap and fill your shoebox together over a chat.