What Can I Give Away?

It’s back-to-school season. A time when you are busy shopping for this year’s must-have items — perhaps new clothes, backpacks, shoes, or coats. With all of the new stuff coming in, do your kids need all the stuff currently packed into their dresser drawers or hiding in the back of their closets? Can any of the old stuff go?

For this back-to-school season, why not take stock, literally, of what’s in the closets, under beds, in the family room or basement? And as new back-to-school items find their way into your home, take the opportunity to look at what can go out.

When To Do
Find time on the weekend when no one is in a hurry or rushed. (Check the charity’s hours to be sure you go at a time when your kids can leave their donation.)

What To Do
Kids get to categorize their things and decide what to keep and what to pass on to others.

• Decide with your kids which things to focus on — toys, games, books, jewelry, clothes, and so on.
• Together, choose general categories, such as: 
”I use these items regularly” 
”I’m no longer using these items, but they’re special keepsakes” 
”These are good items others can use” 
”These items go to the trash or recycling.”
• Help your kids decide where their things should go — a shelter for women and children, the Salvation Army or Goodwill, a thrift shop, and so on.
• Create easy-to-read category labels to place on empty cartons on the floor or bed to help keep the various piles sorted.
• As your kids go through their items, help sort them into the categories, then bag or box up the items for donation.
• Take your kids along to make the delivery and, if possible, talk with the people receiving the donation to find out how your kid’s things might be used.

What You’ll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Bags or boxes

Talk About It
On your way back from donating their items, ask your kids how it felt. Were they sad or happy? Were they thankful for the old items they still have and the new items they’re getting now? Do they imagine how other kids may be excited to get their donated items? Now’s a good time to also share what you felt about this process!

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
 Loading ...