How to Host a Blessing Bag Packing Party

Host a blessing bag packing party with friends this holiday season to help those less fortunate. It’s a great activity for kids too.

I was recently asked by my friends at Fresh & Easy to host a local holiday party. Being so close to the holidays I asked if we could do something for a good cause. They suggested Project: We See You?

A local friend put me in touch with Bluewater Vacation Homes. After going through their listings I settled on a house that had the most magnificent views across the bay to San Diego.

Party food

All food items were provided by Fresh & Easy. I decided on finger foods for the event so that everyone could graze while packing bags and socializing.

• Appetizer platter: assorted cheeses, meats, crackers, grapes, strawberries, dried apricots and nuts.
• Hummus and Pita Chips
• Elegant Mac & Cheese – dished into individual ramekins and baked
• Mini Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cranberry & Brie tarts
• Broccoli and Dried Cranberry Salad
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Pecan Pie
• Caramel Cupcakes
• Chocolate Marshmallows
• Italian Pralines

Drinks

• Spiced Apple Cider
• Fresh & Easy water bottles
• Louis Jadot Beaujolais
• Winewrights Cabernet Savignon
• Barefoot Moscato
• Barefoot Pinot Grigio
• Winewrights Chardonnay
• Chocolate Shop

While we ate, we listened to music, we chatted, and we packed bags for Project: We See You. In total, we made 78 bags – 30 for men, 30 for women, 9 for boys, and 9 for girls.

I used Allison’s suggestions for the bag contents but did find that they no longer sell bus tokens here in San Diego. With limited time to collect everything, I made a few variations. In hindsight, I wish I would have added laundry cards to each bag to be used at laundromats.

Blessing bag contents for men

• Rain poncho
• Knit hat
• Socks
• Water bottle
• Hygiene items: toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, razor, shampoo, soap
• Snacks: breakfast bar, granola bar, trail mix, candy cane, holiday candy
• Tissues

Blessing bag contents for women

• Rain poncho
• Knit hat
• Gloves
• Water bottle
• Hygiene items: toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, razor, shampoo, conditioner, soap, pads
• Snacks: breakfast bar, granola bar, trail mix, candy cane, holiday candy
• Tissues

Blessing bag contents for boys

• Coloring book
• Crayons
• Disney Cars reading book
• Playdough
• Knit hat
• 2 pairs of character socks
• Rain poncho
• Tissues
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Snacks: Penguin crackers, raisins, candy cane, apple sauce

Blessing bag contents for girls

• Coloring book
• Crayons
• Fairy wings
• Soft doll
• Knit hat
• 1 pair character socks
• Rain poncho
• Tissues
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Snacks: Penguin crackers, raisins, candy cane, apple sauce

A friend who attended the event brought toys that were placed into some of the kid’s bags too.

Note: All food and hygiene items were separated into separate ziplock bags before being placed in with the other blessing bag items.

The day after the event I delivered the bags to the San Diego Rescue Mission who were absolutely thrilled to receive them and will be handing them out over the holiday season. 

I want to send a big thank you out to the local bloggers and Fresh & Easy staff in attendance for helping to pack these bags.