Now that I have a nephew, Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning.

The tree, and the presents under it, are a big deal again, as we recreate the magic that we experienced as kids waiting for ‘Father Christmas’.

His grandmother has already started her Christmas shopping, and I can tell you now that he’s going to be the most spoiled baby on the planet.

For a lot of kids in South Africa, though, Christmas is just another day. They don’t wake up excited at the prospect of gifts, or ready to eat themselves into a food coma come lunchtime.

That’s where Stor-Age and the annual Santa Shoebox Project comes in.

One of South Africa’s best-loved charities, the Santa Shoebox Project has officially opened public pledging for 2019.

The project, now in its 14th year, collects and distributes personalised gifts of essential items and treats for underprivileged children throughout South Africa and Namibia.

In 13 years, they have reached more than 850 000 children, and this year alone they hope to add 100 000 to that number.

That’s 100 000 more children who will have a gift to open on Christmas Day, that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Visit www.santashoebox.org.za to pledge your shoeboxes
2. Collect up to four free flat-packed shoeboxes from any of the 50 Stor-Age Self Storage stores nationwide.
3. Fill the shoeboxes with eight items as listed on the website, decorate the box, affix the barcoded label, and then drop it off at locations across the country on specified dates.

I’ll let SuzelleDIY fill you in on what you need to include in your shoebox:

To recap – the items that are to be included in each shoebox include: a toothbrush, toothpaste, facecloth, soap, toy, outfit of clothing, school supplies, and sweets. Donors are also asked to include a reusable bag in which the child can carry the shoebox home.

Easy.

Once you’ve completed your box and delivered it to Stor-Age, they’ll deliver it to underprivileged children across the country in time for the festive season.

If you’d like to do more, you can also volunteer and become part of the team that brings joy to children all over the country every December.

A little goes a long way, and something as simple as having a gift to open can make all the difference.

Now go forth and decorate that shoebox.