Hasta La Ideas

While the chilly winds blow (at least on those of us in the northern hemisphere), now is a great time to go through your home and see what winter-related items you haven’t used this year and donate the excess to charity. You’ll free up space in your home, and possibly help someone in need make it through the winter more comfortably.

Check out your:

• Blankets. Are there heavy blankets lingering in your closet that you haven’t used this year or last year or the year before that?
• Sweaters. If you haven’t worn the sweater by now, are you ever going to wear it again?
• Hats, gloves, scarves. If you have children, do all the hats and gloves in your closet still fit someone in your home?
• Coats. Similar to your sweaters, if any of your winter coats haven’t been worn this season, are you ever going to wear them?
• Boots. If they’re in good condition, someone in need could really benefit from any boots you’re not wearing.
• Outdoor recreation items. Sleds, toboggans, and skis won’t help someone in need, but if you’re no longer using them, they still shouldn’t be taking up space in your garage.
• Outdoor care items. Snow shovels, snow blowers, and other outdoor care items should be replaced if they’re broken or unsafe to use. Don’t donate unusable items to charity, but recycle and/or trash pieces as appropriate.
• Decorations. Any holiday or winter decorations you didn’t put out this year could easily be sold on eBay, Craigslist, or given away through Freecycle. Check with local doctors’ offices, day care centers, and schools to see if they have any interest in the items you didn’t use this year.

Those of you basking in the summer sun in the southern hemisphere, consider doing a similar sweep for unused warm-weather items. If you haven’t used something yet, it’s likely just taking up space in your home unnecessarily.

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