Cleaning out for the Holidays

It is that time of year again when we put up the decorations and start seeing that we have more than we need! I have young ones and my living room looks like a toy store threw up all over it!

So what do I do from mid-November to mid-December? I clean it all out!! I go through all their toys and bag up what they haven't played with in months and then I hide it! Yes that is right, I have to hide it so they don't see it and decide they are going to play with it "now." Then I go through my summer and winter clothes to switch out for the season and if I haven't worn it that season, it gets bagged up too.

But what to do with all this stuff? Donate it right? Of course, but there are so many more places than just Good Will. Toys can be donated to child care centers, hospitals, and churches. We also have here in New Jersey a center called Catholic Charities and they accept all sorts of donations as well. I donate my clothes, purses, shoes, equipment (exercise stuff or tools) as well as some toys to all these places.

Most child care centers will take books and toys that you need to donate. When I was a teacher and a director, we loved getting new things for all our kids. Things we couldn't use or didn't need we would then donate ourselves. Kids in a large group setting love breaking things, it's true, no matter how hard a teacher tries to keep their toys in good condition, the kids have other ideas. So this time of year, is great for donating new toys. I used to take old costumes as well! The children in my class loved dress up, so getting old Halloween Costumes was perfect for them!

So just keep in mind that if you are getting rid of anything and everything you don't want or need in your house, you don't have to toss it. So many people are in need of all kinds of things and do not have the luxury of spending full cost on clothing, shoes, books, toys, purses, or even decore. If you don't need it or want it, give it to a good home and someone who will give it a new life.

Thank you!!