Donating
As you sort your items, you might wonder what you’re going to do with the things in the NO GO AREA, and perhaps in the MIGHT GO AREA.
Think of blessing others with these things. Start with your family and friends. Ask them if they want any of these items. For example, maybe your nephew is moving away to college and could use the extra set of twin sheets you no longer need. By gifting items to family or friends, you know where they are going and that they will be used well.
After that, donate items to charity. These days, many women’s shelters need items for women beginning anew. Remember that someone else will benefit from the use of your things; your possessions could be a significant blessing for a struggling young person or someone starting over.
Go through the donating process regularly so that items do not build up in your NO GO AREA. This will save you clutter and hassle.
Gifting Items during Downsizing
A hard part of downsizing—or of any organization project—is deciding what to do with the items you no longer need.
The options are these: toss them or gift them. Some things you encounter in your sorting will clearly need to go to the trash bin. Perhaps they are pens that no longer work or other unfixable items.
Most items, though, can be gifted or donated, and I encourage you to do this. Not only can it help you part with well-loved items, but it can also be a blessing to someone else.
Gifting
Generally, an order exists for how to give away your belongings.
- Family (sons, daughters, grandchildren, adult siblings, and even nephews and nieces)
- Friends
- Charities
Offer your chosen possessions to people in this order. See if your children would like to hang on to the couch you decided to part with. Present a special plate from your mom to your siblings. It might fill a need or hold a memory for them, as well.
Then check with your friends to see if any of them wants or could use the items you are passing on.
Donating
Try to donate to a local charity the remaining items from your downsizing process. What are some good places to donate to?
- Women’s shelters
- Thrift stores
Giving your belongings to one of these places will ensure they get to someone who needs them. It will simplify your life while allowing you to be a blessing to others!
