The silver or brass boxes produced by this bronze die were intended for distribution to all serving British and British Empire armed forces personnel at Christmas 1914. By Christmas 1914 around 400 000 had been produced; distribution continued until 1920 by which time around 2.5 million had been distributed. The boxes this die created were filled with tobacco, chocolate, sweets, cigarettes, spices, cigarette lighters, according to the gender or culture of the recipient.

Princess Mary, the seventeen year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, had initially intended to send the boxes only to soldiers at the front or sailors afloat at Christmas 1914. The cost required for this, around £60 000, was beyond her means and therefore she started fundraising with an appeal issued by Buckingham Palace. The British public raised £160 000, enabling the scheme to extend to 'everyone wearing the King's uniform on Christmas Day 1914.'

The Princess's Fund was finally wound up in 1919. The remaining funds were donated towards Queen Mary's Maternity Home, for the benefit of the wives and infants of men serving in the armed forces. The Home became part of the London Hospital in 1946, and closed in 1975.