Do good by donating older gifts

FALLBROOK – The holiday season is one firmly ensconced in the tradition of exchanging gifts. To address storage issues, some families choose to make charitable donations of some of their past holiday finery in preparation for the arrival of new gifts and goodies.

The average person has many belongings he or she may not need. According to the Self Storage Association, there are 2.3 billion square feet designated to self-storage space in the United States, and one out of every 10 households in the country rents a unit. Many financial analysts say that the self-storage industry is essentially recession-proof. That's because once a person moves items into storage, they're not likely to move it out anytime soon.

Many of the items relegated to self-storage units across the nation could be holiday gifts from years past. So, rather than storing items that will never see the light of day, people can help a good cause and donate such items to charity.

Make it a tradition

Families can make donating items prior to the holidays a tradition so that it is something that everyone anticipates and looks forward to.

Much as they would decorate the home or shop for fancy holiday clothing, they can set aside a day for sorting through infrequently used items and preparing them for donation. Doing so can teach children the benefits of generosity, which often goes hand-in-hand with the season.

Work with an organization

There are certain organizations that gather used or new toys and other items to give to the less fortunate. Begin with churches and inquire if they sponsor or host a collection program. Schools also may hold item swaps to help raise money for parent-teacher associations or to donate to charities.

If they cannot find an organization that serves as the middleman for donations, they can take it upon themselves to solicit safe houses, hospitals, veteran groups and more to see if they will accept their items.

Set limits on new gifts

Encourage family members to give back while gifting as well. While one or two new items will be appreciated, people may want to specify that donations to charities that they support, or helping to fund extracurricular activities, is their preference.

Organize storage spaces

Once clutter has been removed, they can use this opportunity to install new closet organizers, storage bins, shelving, and any other methods of organization that they prefer. Sorting and categorizing existing toys and items makes it possible to add new ones neatly.

Involve children in the donation process

When donating items, bring the kids along so they can see how their former toys and books will be put to use by other children who may not have the same advantages. It will serve as a good lesson and may help children walk away with a heartwarming experience.