Making Room for Holiday Gifts
If you have kids, you know how quickly toys, books, and clothing can multiply and create clutter. With the gift-giving season upon us, now is the time to take an honest look at your situation and make room for what’s coming!
Why Should I Get Organized Before the Holidays?
Why bother doing all this work now, you might ask? Well, there are so many benefits to purging, organizing, and making space in your home, like:
- You’ll know what to shop for (and what to ask for from the grandparents!), thus spending your money more wisely
- Donating makes you feel good
- You’ll remove a serious chunk of stress from the holidays
- You’ll appreciate the gifts your family receives, rather than feel overwhelmed by them
- You’ll be better prepared to keep the toy spaces tidy
- Did we mention you’ll be way less stressed?!
How to Prep Your Home for Holiday Gifts
So, what’s the best way to go about prepping your space for the holidays?
Get Your Kids Involved
Appeal to your kids’ innate sense of kindness by telling them that you plan to give some older toys, books, and clothes to kids in need, and let them help choose what to donate. Make a game out of it; challenge them to see how many items they can part with!
Go Through Closets and Kids’ Rooms
For clothing, clean out everything that’s too small or never worn (shoes, too!). If you keep hand-me-downs for younger children, consider storing them in a labeled bin until the younger child is ready for them.
For toys, tidy up your toy room and gather up all the older toys that you and your kids have decided to give away. Collect toys with small parts in Ziploc baggies or Tupperware. For the toys that you’re keeping, sort them into labeled bins to help your kids learn where they belong (these stackable storage drawers are a great option for smaller items).
And don’t forget about books they’ve outgrown and video or board games they no longer play!
Sort Your “Get Rid Of” Items
Once you’ve gathered together everything you’re letting go of, it’s time to sort! (Helpful hint: it’s a good idea to sort items into piles using boxes or bags labeled Trash, Recycle, or Donate.) Items that are torn, stained, broken beyond repair, or missing parts will have to go in the trash. Clothing or stuffed animals that are ripped or stained can be recycled in Austin. However, toys, books, and clothes still in good condition can be donated.
Where to Donate?
Most cities offer a number of options for donating unwanted items. You can find your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. In Austin, small toys, craft and office supplies, puzzle and board games, and many other items can be donated to Austin Creative Reuse. Check out GivingCityAustin for more tips and places to donate in the city.
Don’t let the influx of gifts during the holidays create chaos for your family. Follow these tips and be prepared so you can enjoy the season to the fullest!
Need help getting organized, or just don’t have the time? Schedule a free consultation with us!