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5 Things to Do with Old Baby Toys and Clothes
Author: Melissa Maypole
Babies grow up so fast that keeping up with the piles of clothes and toys, which they seem to grow out of every other week, can be a full-time job in and of itself. If these unused items are taking over your home—and your sanity—read on for some ideas (conventional and otherwise) on how to clear your space and your mind.
- Store Them.
If you’re still contemplating the idea of welcoming yet another new addition into your family sometime in the not-so-distant future, you can save tons of money by storing your baby’s clothing for potential hand-me-downs. Just make sure you wash them first, store them in an airtight container (Spacesavers work great if you’re low on storage space), and place them in a cool, dry area in your home to prevent rotting or mildew. - Donate Them!
There are many ways to donate your child’s gently used clothes and toys. For instance, you can donate to your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, or privately-owned thrift stores. You could also take them to daycare centers or homeless shelters. Although you won’t receive any compensation for your contributions, you may be able to write the charitable donation off on your taxes at the end of the year; and most importantly, you’ll receive the reward of knowing that you helped someone in need, while clearing out your clutter as well. - Sell Them.
We could all use a little extra cash these days, and what better way to make some dough than by selling the things you no longer use? Want to make an event of it? Have a garage sale, and invite your kids and maybe even some neighbors to join in. Like the idea of using technology to get rid of the extra stuff while making some money at the same time? Try selling the items online at sites like Ebay or Craig’s list. Looking for a more convenient way to sell? Take your best items to a local consignment shop, and let them do the selling while you reap a percentage of the profit. - Trade them.
A great way to benefit from your stash of old toys and baby clothes, without the hassle of trying to sell them, is to trade them directly for items that you need. Perhaps you can trade for more age-appropriate toys or larger clothing; or, you can go really crazy and trade for something totally unrelated, like a piece of jewelry or home décor—the possibilities are endless. Simply grab a neighbor or friend who might be interested. Or if you’re really ambitious, organize a big swap party by inviting some friends, serving some food, and swapping some of your best junk! For more information on how to host a fabulous swap party, see Real Simple’s advice here. - Recycle Them.
If you’re a pack-rat who can never seem to part with anything, your best option for dealing with your pile of unused baby clothes might be to recycle them. No, I don’t mean by taking them to a recycler—I’m talking about transforming your old baby clothes into something completely different. Let’s face it—baby clothes are just too cute to toss, even if they are stained with spit-up. Luckily, with a little craftiness, you can turn old into new by converting worn-out onesies and outfits into pillows, blankets, doll clothes, and even toys for your little one. Not sure how to get started? Check out Dollarstorecrafts.com for some easy and cute ideas!
With a little know-how, and some open-mindedness, you can put a major dent in that pile of unwanted baby clothes and toys, and maybe even help someone else out in the process. Who knows? What at first seemed like a chore may just turn out to be a rewarding, profitable, and just plain fun experience!
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