BRITISH TROOPS CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX: Innovative ideas, Delighted Clients

A ‘new’ tradition.

Far-Side Marketing are the founders and principal sponsors of the 21st Century Christmas Box for our Military Personnel serving overseas away from their families at Christmas.

The History of ‘The Christmas Box’

1914

The first Christmas box was produced in 1914 and was the idea of King George V’s daughter, Princess Mary. Its purpose was to provide everyone wearing the King’s uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day with a “gift from the nation”.

It contained cigarettes, tobacco and bullet pencils, was made of brass and measured 5” in length and 3¼” in width. The initiative was funded by members of the public and private companies.

2004

Far-Side Marketing Ltd suggested a Gift Box for Military Personnel overseas away from their families on Christmas Day.

The MoD approved the idea on the understanding that the “Box” had to be the same size as the 24 hour Ration Pack and had to be ready for shipping before the end of October.
 

With no time available for finding sponsors, Gifts by Design, a sister company to Far-Side Marketing Ltd worked together with the MoD under “surge” conditions and in just 5 weeks 18,000 Christmas Boxes and their contents were sourced, packed and delivered utilising spare capacity in the supply chain.

Each “Box” contained a variety of gifts, 20 in all, including a disposable camera, mini Christmas cake, travel games, torch, spice fob, snacks and other novelties and useful items. Sodexho were the first major company to help Far-Side Marketing Ltd and Gifts by Design sponsor the Box.

2005

The phenomenal success of the 2004 Christmas Box highlighted that the tradition should continue.


As there had been no time to organise sponsors in 2004 Far-Side Marketing Ltd suggested that a charity be set up to organise the funding of the Box for future years.


The charity, uk4u Thanks!, was formed and immediately set to work to raise the funds and work with Gifts by Design to produce the 2005 Christmas Box.

19,000 boxes were subsequently produced and distributed, again utilising spare capacity in the distribution system. BAE Systems, quickly followed by Finmeccanica and Halliburton-KBR joined a growing number of sponsors. A tin was included to remind us of the original 1914 Box and a Christmas decoration included also dated and bearing uk4u’s logo. Celebratory, Jim Davidson produced a short video endorsing the Box.

2006

The Duke of Westminster becomes uk4u’s Patron and more sponsors join the cause. The Box seems here to stay!

With more service personnel deployed over Christmas, this year’s requirement has increased to 24,500 boxes.

Again the contents have been carefully selected and included a number of items that will probably become of interest to collectors as they are dated and are limited to just the one production run.


Far-Side Marketing Ltd remains the principal sponsor financing the production until the charity has sufficient funds and more sponsors.

A web site has since been launched (www.uk4u.org) to keep all those interested informed of progress, to list new sponsors and to enable individuals to contribute.

Please visit!

Far Side Marketing Ltd Old Coach House Cranes Yard Turvey Bedfordshire MK43 8EN Tel:    +44 (0)1234 240 888 Fax:   +44 (0)1234 710 650 Website: www.farsm.com  Email:     sjbriggs@farsm.com  Contact:  Mr S J Briggs (Managing Director)