Happy New Year! Start it off fresh and clear out some of those older items that may have been upgraded during the holidays. From clothes and toys to books and electronics here are some great ideas to get you moving in the right direction.

CLOTHING

Sort through your clothes and purge anything that you haven’t worn in the last year, items that may need mending, or things that just don’t make you feel good about yourself. Bring the items that need to be fixed to your local tailor and donate the rest to your BFF or favorite charitable organization. Now you have some breathing room for all of those new pieces and your “tried and true” faves.

Kids grow like weeds! Something that fit them in October may be super tight or short by now. Organize bins by size and season if you have a younger child that could make use of them. Or ask a friend if they could use some hand-me-downs. If you don’t need them any longer, donate them to your favorite organization like Cradles to Crayons. Have some items that are in great condition or even new with tags still on? Think about consigning them to a local kids consignment store, my favorite is Kid to Kid. Most give you the option of cash or a slightly larger sum in store credit. They may even donate what they won’t buy from you so you don’t have to lug it back out of the store. Call ahead for consigning hours and to see what they are and aren’t taking.

TOYS

So many toys, so little space. If you have kids that are toddler age, they may have many toys from their baby days still hanging around. Donate them to a charitable organization, hand them down to friends and family or consign them. Older kids may have a harder time letting go. Have them go through their toys and ask them to donate two or three things to kids who don’t have as much as they do. If they feel in control of the choice, they MIGHT be willing to give them up and it will help them appreciate what they have and the spirit of giving. Another idea is to store some lesser used or even new toys away for a rainy day. When the “I’m bored” complaints begin, pull out some “new” toys for them. You’ll be a superhero!

BOOKS

There are so many ways to donate your books. Homeless shelters, children’s hospitals, school libraries and daycare centers, your town library, More than Words and the fun and trendy Little Free Library are great options. Book swaps are a great way to get together with friends and find some new reading material. Operation Paperback helps get books to our troops. Make sure you check with each organization about their specific needs and that you are donating books appropriate to each one.

ELECTRONICS

This is one we all struggle with. Technology changes so fast; your new iPhone is obsolete by summer. Who needs a bunch of old, dusty electronics taking up space!? Your town may have an electronic recycling center or special days for drop-offs. Check your town website for information or give your town hall a ring. You should also take a peek at this website for even more environmentally friendly options. Another favorite electronics recycling center of ours is Replay’d in Brighton. Bonus points for searching for all the matching power cords and remotes!

I hope our tips help kickstart your most organized year ever! If you’ve been putting this off for a few seasons and don’t know where to start, don’t worry, we’re here to help. Give us a call and one of our fabulous organizers will work right along with you to clear out the clutter.