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Clearing the clutter (Old toys) before the holiday...?  

post #1 of 15
11/12/06 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Are any of you clearing the older toys out of the house before the big holidays next month?

I did it last year and I sent my son's toys to a MotherInNeed (from MDC). If you guys don't know MOthers in Need, they are moms from right here at MDC.. who's resources are wildly low and the holidays are looming for them... They list a GUI (gently used items) that would really help their family...if you go to Talk Amongst OUrselves, it is a thread called, "HOliday Helpers" . It is a sticky.

Last year I enlisted my son's help.. me: "Which toy do you want to send to the little boy in Washington?"

He picked out some of his favorites that he really liked when he was younger but knew he had outgrown.

it was great for him and great for the MIN's little boy.

anyway, please consider clearing out the GUIs and sending them to a MIN it is great for you, your child and a MIN!

hugs
tracy
post #2 of 15
11/12/06 at 1:13pm
Great idea! We did that last year too. My oldest ds had some gifts from the previous year that he hadn't even opened and a few really good book to pass along. Hopefully my 5yo dd can get into the spirit this year too.
post #3 of 15
11/12/06 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dukeswalker View Post
Great idea! We did that last year too. My oldest ds had some gifts from the previous year that he hadn't even opened and a few really good book to pass along. Hopefully my 5yo dd can get into the spirit this year too.
Oh, that is awesome. I know you will find a MIN!
my son still asks about the boy in washington and if we can send him more...

this year we'll be sending to a new little boy, but I'm so glad DS is already on board.

post #4 of 15
11/12/06 at 7:41pm
Yep, I've done that two yrs in a row. This year, it's taking me longer than usual to get started because ds has been sick.
post #5 of 15
11/12/06 at 9:22pm
I've been working on decluttering. I'm sending the gently used toys to my daughter's school. They have a food pantry and around the holidays they will collect toys and as families come to pick up food, they can also get a toy! Projects like mothers in need and the food pantry one are such great ways to show our children the true spirit of the holidays.
post #6 of 15
11/13/06 at 12:10am
Yes, I do that too.
I generally donate them to a women's shelter or big brother big sister.
Most of the stuff I weed out is the plastic battery operated stuff, so I am hesitant to send it to another MDC mama!
I am sending clothes to a MIN though!
post #7 of 15
11/13/06 at 1:17am
I'm trying...but most goes in trash MIL buys some stuff that is such a waste
Last week she bought ds a battery operated toy for ages 18m up he is 6m
?????????????????? She also bought him some bath toys...big ones...he can't sit up. I know its the thought that counts....but sometimes people don't think....or maybe they don't think like I do....Maybe thats good too LOL
post #8 of 15
11/13/06 at 2:47am
Thread Starter 

Just in case you don't know...

or haven't been to the thread in TAO...

here is one mom's request.. this MIN #78

DD is potty learning, but wants to still wear diapers. I'd love a dozen prefolds since we had had a diaper serice when she was smaller, and then when she was using the potty alot canceled it. She prefers cloth to sposies so i'd like to accomodate her wishes. We could also use training pants and cute panties (no characters please).

In may she lost her waldorf doll I got her for last Christmas. I never have gotten her a new one. She still talks about her missing baby. I'd love to get her a new one. It was a blonde sleepy baby made by one of the mamas here. I really really want her to have another one. Mama made and gently loved


We are probably going to end up with 200 MINS this year.. we're currently somewhere in the 80's.. please go check out the website.. see if there is anything you have in your house (get DC to help you)..then go to the forum and find yourself a MIN!

click on my sig for more help..
post #9 of 15
11/13/06 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 
oh, and a Canadian MIN asks..

Probably a long shot but, he never asks for much of anything but this year he has been begging for a Shake 'n Go Race Track.
He loves swimming so swimming lessons would be beyond amazing.
For clothing he is desperate for warm clothes, undies, socks, slippers.
Loves anything to do with cars, trains, construction machines.

Her son is 3... if you go to the link look at Canadian MIN #2... for sizes and other toys that would help.

again...go through your house with DC and find what you are ready to part with... I tell you there is a MIN and child who would be thrilled for it.

Off to ask my neighbor if she wants to help a MIN.

post #10 of 15
11/14/06 at 2:50pm
Thread Starter 
tiny bump.
post #11 of 15
11/15/06 at 11:23pm
Thread Starter 
post #12 of 15
11/16/06 at 1:32am
I do two major clean outs a year one in Mid October and one before the summer like late may. Her Birthday in October 26 so we do the first clean to get ready for her birthday and the holidays. We vivit my family in the summer and by then shes outgrown some stuff so we do a second clean out to get ready for the summer goodies. Things are divided into 3 catagories
1) store
2) put away
3) give away
I store for a future child some key toys that are age appropiate classic but have been outgrown by my DD.
We put way toys that we might have noticed shes out played but might be good to rotate after a break or ones that are frustrating her and might need to be put away untill shes older
3) the biggest pile by far are toys that we choose to give away.
We never have a ton of toys I mean she has a nice variety shes not like suffering but we find she manages things better when the choices are simple
post #13 of 15
11/16/06 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
We never have a ton of toys I mean she has a nice variety shes not like suffering but we find she manages things better when the choices are simple
I agree.. Less is MOre..but I have to admit we have got a collection going again... time to thin it out even more.
post #14 of 15
11/16/06 at 5:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracy View Post
I agree.. Less is MOre..but I have to admit we have got a collection going again... time to thin it out even more.
I know the feeling. We rotate every few months I take a away a few things and bring out "new stuff" its goood it keeps things lasting longr and Cecilia thinks shes getting new toys of course then one day she ask me for say her mega blocks so I get that one toy out.. then she gets daddy to get her chutes and ladders game out and then we leave the closet door open and three puzzles and some new coloring books find there way out she picks of a toy at Wendys gets a gift bag from school...... All of a sudden were like Ummm clutter time to thin out
My brother and SIL have OUT everytoy from there first child on up the have 4 at home ages 3.5.8 and 10 and one on the way literly hundreds of stuff thats brken missing pieces chewed up beyond reconigzation. the kids rooms are covered in junk there house is totally covered in the mess (and I'm not implying ours is spotless ) The kids wade through junk and new stuff gets lost and broken so easily. They so don't need 90% of what they have the new baby wont need 300 broken toys. Yet they can't seem to get rid of stuff..
post #15 of 15
11/18/06 at 2:32am
Thread Starter 
my neighbor told me yesterday that her MIL is flying in for the birth of the new baby.. and bringing my friend's dh's clothes from when he was a baby. All of them. Evidently the MIL chose not to throw any of them out.

I don't know exactly..but my guess is that he husband is perhaps, late 30's... wow. talk about commitment.

we are clearing the toys this weekend at our house and sending them to a MIN next week!

please others.. won't you join me?
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