Operation Christmas Box

Operation Christmas Box (formerly uk4u Thanks!) is a registered charity which provides Christmas Boxes full of presents (affectionately known as the 'Square Stocking') as a gift from the nation to all those serving unaccompanied overseas in the UK Armed Forces away from their families and loved ones on Christmas Day. Each year, thanks entirely to generous donations from members of the public and our sponsors, Operation Christmas Box is able to send Christmas gift Boxes to unaccompanied UK Armed Forces personnel on duty overseas over the Christmas period and at its peak, 24,500 boxes were produced annually for several years. The charity does not receive any public funds, but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) supports the charity with advice and guidance on the number of boxes required and the contents. It also assists with the massive logistics operation it takes to deliver the boxes in time for Christmas Day. We ensure that all Servicemen and Servicewomen who are serving on tours of duty unaccompanied overseas away from their families and loved ones at Christmas receive a box, whether they are in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or the Royal Air Force, and wherever they are in the world. The initiative was inspired by the 1914 Christmas Gift Fund, established by Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V. You can find out more about how the charity Operation Christmas Box was formed on this website.