Miss Manners and Martha May Not Agree...but I Think Regifting is a Good Thing

If you are reading this after the Holidays, odds are you have a few Christmas gifts you weren't thrilled about.

Rather than selling them at a garage sale, or stockpiling them in a storage shed...re-gift them

Even if you don't like the hot-pink mittens you got from your great aunt, or the "dickey" you got from your grandmother (this actually happened to me)...someone else will appreciate a brand new item.

Think carefully about where you want to re-gift.

Did you get baby clothes that didn't fit your child? Give them to a teen pregnancy program. Did you get a winter coat that you don't like? Drop it off at a homeless shelter. What about the drum set your sister-in-law gave to your preschooler? Give it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army so they can sell it for profit. What about a pair of dress pants that don't fit?

Skip the lengthy exchange lines and donate it to a local "Dress for Success" program where an impoverished woman seeking a job can proudly wear it to her first interview.

Domestic violence shelters, foster care programs and teen runaway agencies would love to have new electronics to give to teens who are usually the last to get donated gifts for Christmas. I am sure your local preschool or library would love some brand new books too.

You can also re-gift gift cards although they may be a bit harder to part with than the hot-pink mittens or drum set. After the holidays most stores offer huge discounts on toys and winter clothing. Use part of your gift-card to stock up on items for "Toys for Tots" for next year.

If you have really good gift-givers in your family and aren't willing to part with any of your presents, consider asking your children to donate one toy to a needy child for every toy they received. This will help them learn the value of helping others and will leave you with less
blocks, dolls, dinosaurs and trucks to trip over.

Here are just a few of the additional resources to help you put your post-holiday, re-gifting plan into place.

Charity Guide - Donate Toys to Inspire Children

Salvation Army - Locate a Store or Donation Center Near You

Goodwill Industries - Locate a Store or Donation Center Near You

Operation Give - Donate Toys and other goodies to Iraqi Children

Alibris - Donate Books to Schools and Non-Profits Nationwide

Make-A-Wish - Donate "Wish" Items to Terminally Ill Children Including Backpacks, Albums, Airline Miles and More...

Miss Manners and Martha may not agree, but I think re-gifting is a very good thing!

Tags: regifting, donations, donating, gifts, decluttering, organizing, home, family, charity, kindness

I'm too sexy for my mini-van...

My sister and I have had an ongoing argument about the "cool-ness" of mini-vans. (She is having her first baby in a month).

Honestly, I know they aren't cool, but sadly...I stopped being cool 8 pairs of sweatpants ago....

Needless to say, I fell in love with this site...Darling Mummy.com

They sell t-shirts, hoodies, caps, bags....pretty much the mini-van mom essentials.

Enjoy!

Rubber Soled Gym Shoes for an Infant??

I've never been a big "shoe gal". Don't get me wrong...I like shoes. I need shoes. They keep my feet dry...and I *really* like dry feet.

That being said, I have never, ever understood why an infant needs shoes. Unless you have high-hopes that they will be playing basketball early, do you really need to spend $30+ on a pair of sneakers for a baby that can barely roll-over...much less shoot hoops?

Even though I am not a shoe person...I am DEFINITELY a "comfy sock" person. Think they'll make these in a size 10?

I could use a few pairs of socks that look like gym shoes, black pumps, brown loafers, snow boots & flip flops....

You can get them here...
Uncommon Goods

No one warned me - (pee pee teepees)

As I am posting this, I am actually a bit ticked that I wasn't aware of these "teepees" before I had my precious...(and amazingly *accurate*) little shooter....

You can find them at my favorite store, Uncommon Goods....

What a great shower gift for a new mom! ....actually, the evil side of me believes every mother should be initiated at least once by her baby boy.....Mu ha ha ha ha ha !

Happily Ever After...Kids Art Posters

In my e-journey to find storage ideas for my daughter preschool picasso's...I found this site...

zsquaredgraphics. They create museum quality posters out of your child's artwork.

Can you imagine how proud your child would feel with all of their paintings framed your living room, hallway, or playroom?

....another fantastic gift for "nana" too!

Cuddle Up With Your Child's Artwork

My daughter started attending preschool for the first time a week ago and I am already trying to figure out how to preserve all of her precious tempura handprints, string art, watercolors, crayon drawings....

Today, she made me a firetruck out of red jello paint.

While I considered buying another fridge, I decided to search the net for some less expensive options....

Not only did I find some great storage ideas, but I already have the perfect Christmas gift for "nana"...

You can find this product at BlanketWorx.com. Isn't it awesome?