It’s Christmastime! That means beautiful blankets of white snow, picking out presents for loved ones, and being extra grateful for hot cocoa. It’s also a time that we rejoice in giving and sharing with others. This is the best time of year to donate to your local community.
We all wish we could have more of something, but when do we consider what we have too much of? Look around you. Do you have extra things piled up that you never use? Cupboards stuffed full of canned goods? Could you reduce clutter in your home by getting rid of a few old books, coats, or electronics? The truth is that we live in a country where many of us are lucky enough to have an abundance of many things. For those in your community that are less fortunate, your donations can bring them a truly merry Christmas in times of hardship.
Walk around your house with a critical eye. Look for the books you don’t read or the toys your children don’t play with. Which boxes in the back of the closet can you stand to part with? Let’s look at your pile of extra stuff and figure out what to do with it!
If you have things like warm winter coats and blankets, check with local shelters to see if they need these basic amenities. Give your excess canned and dry good to local food banks.
If you have extra cardboard, wood, metal, batteries, or electronics, you can take them down to a recycling center and they will be sure they are re-used by someone else. Many recycling centers are even willing to pay you for stuff you would throw away. Contact a local recycling center to find out what they accept and then donate the money you earned to a charity of your choice.
There’s no sense in throwing out something that still works perfectly well. If you have anything left over, just take it to a local thrift store or donation drop off center. They’ll make sure your gently used items are made available and affordable for other people in your community. These thrift stores also provide good, local jobs for the people in your town.
Getting rid of your excess clutter is going to make your home feel bright and open again. You’ll be happy to know that someone else is enjoying the gifts you’ve donated. Through local donation, you can reap all the joyous benefits of the spirit of giving this Christmas.