Given that the kids are off school this week, I started thinking that it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in each kid’s room, making piles of toys, books, clothes and shoes that can be donated this year. (It’s also a good chance for you to do the same in your own closet.)
This doesn’t have to be a huge thing, this is a busy week. Just set the timer for 20-30 minutes and see what you can get done. If you’re working from home while your older kids are off for the holiday, assign this to them. Give them a large black plastic bag and tell them they need to fill it with things they don’t use or wear anymore.
This assignment serves two important purposes:
- we know there’s a tremendous need at all the donation charities, this year more than ever. Get those outgrown clothes, books and toys into the hands of people who can use them. Click here to find your local Goodwill.
- this clears out room in your house for the gifts your family will receive for Christmas.
Parent alert: If, during this process, your kids balk at giving away toys you know they’ve outgrown and don’t play with, go through that pile together and let them choose 3 toys to keep. You’ll still be way ahead of the game. And take that opportunity to talk about how much other kids will love playing with those toys. It’s a great teachable moment.
Or, and I’ve totally done this: have your husband take the kids out to see a movie and get hot chocolate and go through their stuff while they’re gone. Sure, you’ll look like a crazy person madly trying to get this task done before they return, but 5 bucks says your kids don’t notice the stuff is gone. Your choice. Whatever feels right…
Taking the time to do this task early this week will make things much easier when it comes time to find homes for all the new Christmas gifts your family received. It’ll keep the clutter down and make the new stuff easier to enjoy.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t have kids, but have been using this week to purge my own stuff. A movie and hot chocolate sounds like the perfect reward after an especially focused session
. (Of course, the extra space and being free of some things I no longer use is reward enough, but still feels a little far off.)
@Jessica: totally agreed. I did my own purge and rewarded myself with a new French Press. Now, I’m enjoying a lovely cup of coffee while I catch up on my favorite blogs. So nice to see you here.
Oh how I love to give myself presents. We are working hard over here to purge ourselves. I have been madly going through the craft closet, our sweet Caroline is going through her clothes, and my dh has contributed to the Goodwill stack, which is actually the truck of my car. We started moving things to the trunk to get it out of the house and when the truck is full then I will made the run. Mission should be accomplished tomorrow. To reward myself, I bought a Lucky brand backpack at Marshall for $49 — originally, $115. I can’t use it, however, until the Goodwill run is complete. I do love the motivational tricks I play on myself. I just crack myself up.
@Kimberly: you ROCK! You are so ton top of things and I love that you’ve gotten your whole family involved in this.
I also love that you set the reward for yourself BEFORE you started the project. That’s so smart.
Every time I come to #hostname there is another exciting article up to read. One of my friends was talking to me about this topic a few weeks ago. I think I will send my friend the url here and see what they say.