Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
Serving Greater Cincinnati

It’s Time for the Post-Holiday Purge: What to Donate to Goodwill

Mother and son sorting clothes in cardboard boxes to donate to Goodwill

Donate to Goodwill!

The gifts are unwrapped, the house is a mess, and there are new things in the house that you have no idea where to store. Beat the post-holiday blues by taking back control of your home! Nothing will make you feel better than a massive purge, and Ohio Valley Goodwill is always ready for your donations.

As you start your post-holiday decluttering, think about all the new gifts waiting to fill the place of the items you donate. Out with the old, in with the new! Here are a few tips to help you tackle the post-holiday purge:

 

Gather the Right Tools

First, it’s important to be prepared before you go in deep on decluttering your home. Gather up some trash bags and boxes to help with the sorting and organizing. It’s also a good idea to have a marker and tape or other labeling tools. For those who love to organize, maybe you even have a label-maker! This will come in handy if there are items you decide to keep, but need to be better organized for easier storage.

Hit the Biggest Offenders First

For efficiency’s sake, tackle those spaces that are giving you the most headaches first. Toys, kitchen items, clothing, and accessories are usually at the top of the list.

Ask yourself: Was this item used in the last year? Does it still fit? Are you holding onto it for sentimental reasons, or will you actually use it? If you don’t expect to need or use an item in the next year, put it in your ” donate” pile!

Stay Strong

As you’re decluttering, it’s easy to think about the what-ifs. (But ““ if I’m ever invited to a themed party, I’ll need this item for a costume!) Think again! The anxiety caused by your clutter greatly outweighs the slim chance that you’ll need that item that’s been collecting dust for years.

The same is true for children’s items. Your kids may resist giving up their ” favorite” toys, books, or stuffed animals, even if they don’t use them anymore. The truth is, they’ll likely forget about the item moments after it’s out of sight!

Remember the Difference You’re Making

A post-holiday home reset isn’t easy, especially if it’s been a while since you last decluttered rooms and closets. The fuel you’ll need to keep going just might come from remembering the good your purge will do for others.

Graphic with text: Get organized! Donate and make a difference in your community

Get organized with Goodwill!

With every donation you give, Ohio Valley Goodwill is able to provide job training, résumé assistance, career coaching, work site support, and other vital vocational services to help people in your community find jobs and achieve self-sufficiency. Your donation will help individuals with disabilities and veterans start fresh in the new year through the life-changing power of work!

Once you’ve loaded up your boxes and bags of donations, find your nearest Goodwill Donation Center, and complete your purge! Thank you for choosing to donate to Goodwill this giving season. We appreciate your support!