​Worried about the supply chain crisis affecting your holiday gift-giving? Fill your list with these delightful ideas to get you on track for a low-stress and eco-friendly season.

If you are like me, I appreciate a list of ideas to get started as I consider everyone on my gift list. I love to give gifts that are meaningful and appreciated. I think about each person, things we have in common, events and themes that have been important in their lives, what they hold dear, and then consider what a meaningful gift might be. Also, how busy they are, what challenges they are facing, and what things might make their life easier. This helps me make the best possible choice of gift for each person, and not just the popular item of the moment that will get tossed out or stuck in a drawer the next month. And it means they are more likely to enjoy and appreciate the gift for a long time to come.

Almost no gift is more meaningful or special than something you created yourself. If you have a talent or skill, put it to use creating something unique, fun, and creative. There are DIY projects for all skill levels, even for children to make. 
Frame a photograph - Make a lasting gift from a beautiful landscape or a moment shared with the person for whom you are creating the gift.
Create a shadowbox - use one or a couple of small items that are meaningful to both of you. It could be a lock of hair, tickets from an event you shared, a wrapper from your favorite shared treat, or a pressed leaf or bits of nature from a special place. Use your imagination.
Write and frame a poem - Make it short and sassy, deep, or clever. Good words written specially for someone else will always be valued.
Write and record a song or even a fun ringtone
Holiday ornament or decor - There are a million ideas for creating adorable and beautiful ornaments, candle holders, holiday hangings, and all kinds of things - Just check out Pinterest or search 'DIY Holiday decor'
Candles - Last year, I made homemade beeswax candles that turned out beautifully and weren't hard at all. I used locally sourced beeswax and natural wicks, and essential oils.
Garden - You can create simple or fanciful container gardens for inside or out. Options include fairy gardens, herb gardens, bulb gardens, and so much more.
Gift Card for your services - Are you particularly handy, creative, or skilled? Give the gift of time for a special project.
A Spa Experience - Create a basket of homemade, or local and sustainable items for relaxing like clarifying face mask, candle, a scented sugar scrub, and fresh dried herbal tea.
Knit or Stitch- Know how to knit, crochet, or sew? Hats, scarves, socks, mittens and other comfort wear are always well loved.
​

​Physical gifts can still be the right choice - especially across distance, when there is a real need or use for something, or because of time and other constraints that make giving experiences more challenging. The best thing to do is to stay away from kitchy, of-the-moment items that become trash or a burden occupying a closet a year from now. Think about locally-sourced gifts, hand-made, created with local resources, or upcycled/recycled goods.

Buying local rather than from overseas can mean reducing your carbon footprint, save time, and be a more eco-friendly way to shop and give. If you want to give truly unique gifts with the additional gift of being more gentle to the planet, consider items that are made locally, from sustainable, upcycled and recycled materials.

​Here is a list of popular hand-made gift items to get your juices flowing:

• Cozy wear - hats and mittens
• Clothing - unique, handmade, and vintage
• Ceramics
• Jewelry 
• Candles & Scents
• Sweet (or savory) treats
• Pet gifts
• Art and decorating
• Games, digital downloads and music
• Woodcraft
• Natural beauty products
• Fun paper - crafts and stationary
• Knitting, Crochet, & handwork
• Comfort Plushies
• Practical Art - beautiful things you can use

​

Not only can you give a boost to your local economy, you can also help support important programs provided by local and national nonprofits. 

Breaking Free is a nonprofit providing services and healing for survivors of sex trafficking, moving them from a life of bondage and oppression to one of safety, dignity, and strength. You can find one of a kind jewelry creations, designed by survivors of sex trafficking at the Sisters Shop for Freedom. 100% of every purchase returns to support the woman who made it, helping her to a life of freedom.
We love this option additionally because they are one of Donate Good Stuff's oldest partners. Some of the jewelry the artisans  create is reimagined and crafted from broken and vintage pieces that have been donated to Breaking Free. 
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Support other organizations that combat human trafficking and offer survivor-made goods

Flying Pig is an example of a nonprofit thrift that sells items for great causes. This thrift store has an inspired story and profits support multiple other nonprofits so the good keeps rolling.  It helps people repurpose things, and it's a fun place to find new treasures. (They also have space where they sell local artesan's work)
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Here are a few items made by local artisans in Minnesota, my home state. It is much meaningful to know how and where items are crafted, and to support your local artists and craftspeople. Whether you buy pure art or an artful practical gift, you can't go wrong!

Check out your local seasonal farmer's market, art colony or co-op, or craft markets. There are lots of options whether you are in the city, like the Minneapolis Craft Market, or in a small town, like Grand Marais Art Colony. Just search for one near you - you may discover a hidden gem!

I have to add an example of something I've received and loved. I'm totally obsessed with these handcrafted brooms. I have a small collection that reflect unique styles and are for different purposes. They are made from natural materials, which makes me happy. And I use them all. My favorite is a smooth, willow-handled house broom. Despite my usual distain of housework, I find myself sweeping just for enjoyment. They not only work better than other brooms, they are gorgeous works of art. I know people who only display them, and that's just fine. Find them at local retailers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Utah. More at OxCart Broom and Woodwork.

Really. cool. brooms.

The New York Times just published a guest essay 'How To Buy Nothing New This Holiday Gifting Season' that is a great short piece that reminds us of why it is so good and important for our planet (and ourselves) to curb our consumerism, and that even a little bit helps. It also has some pretty cool ideas like an alternative White Elephant and a family drop and swap. 

Buying vintage or up-cycled items can be a lot of fun. You might come across things that you hadn't even considered!

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It is hard to find a store more committed to the planet and eco-ethical shopping than Junket: Tossed & Found. As importantly, this is one place you will absolutely enjoy browsing all kinds of eclectic treasures. It's both fun and inspiring to look through the catalog of items from vintage tart pans, to creative papers and one-of-a-kind crafting supplies, hilarious (and not-PG rated) embossed greeting cards, and even digital downloads for fortune cookie you can print at home. Make a personalized crafting kit or find that one unique item for someone special.
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Look for items that are made from sustainable sources, produced in an eco-friendly way, high quality, and can be reused, upcycled, recycled, composted or otherwise not end up in the trash at the end of its useful life. Here is a great article from The Good Trade with 11 Sustainable Marketplaces to shop that are alternatives to Amazon.

Every year, 5 million tons of waste is generated over Christmas, equating to 50,000 trees and endless crumpled rolls in the landfills since the shiny, glittery paper cannot be recycled. Fixing the issue is nothing new. We just need to take a moment to think about it and use good alternatives. Here are two ideas of how we can do better inspired by my own family -

My mother-in-law creatively encloses gifts in dish towels and other practical linens. I have always loved this (especially when we were starting out and had next to nothing). It looks cute, is a gift on top of a gift, is thoughtful, and earth-friendly. 

My great aunt was a nun in central Minnesota and grew up in the earlier part of the 20th century so she knew how to economize. As a child, I thought she was a bit eccentric as she would gather up all of the wrapping paper, ribbon and bows, at the family holiday celebration and fold everything as if they were rare and precious. She saved all of this and re-used it for wrapping, for tags, for cards, and for crafts. Turned out, she was an eco-warrior. So, when we can't avoid the glitzy stuff, we can take a page from her book and creatively reuse it.

Donate Good Stuff exists to help you find the best home for your donation items and we recognize it's just part of the challenge of having too much stuff. How do you declutter what you have, reduce the amount of stuff you bring into your home, and continue to move toward sustainable and environmentally kind living? We can help with that, too. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to our newsletter for regular tips and creative ideas for managing your stuff, reducing waste, sustainable living, and being part of a connected community.

When it comes to T-shirts, one persons trash is not another's treasure.
Only the best and brightest should be donated to be worn again. The main reason is that with so many t-shirt donations that come in, if the shirt isn't in excellent shape, or something other people will want (think twice about that family reunion t-shirt from 2008) they may get thrown out by the donation center. In those cases, you may be better off reusing or even recycling it locally yourself.
​
Here are some guidelines to make sure your donation will be accepted:

• Make sure they are freshly laundered (true for any clothing donations).
• Check for any signs of wear, including rough edges around the neck or hem, and pilling.
• No holes. Small ones are easy to miss. Just stretch the fabric a bit to check.
• Is there any embedded pet fur? Even when laundered, it is stubborn and can cause a donation to be rejected.
• Check for stains. Arm pits are the obvious ones, and also small and light colored stains. These are not suitable as clothing donations so set those aside.

In short, if your shirts are showing any wear, have holes, stains, pet fur, or anything else that you would not give a picky friend to wear, don't donate it. Read on for some creative ways to give them new life.

Do you have a favorite shirt that you would want to wear but it has stayed in the drawer because of some minor issues? Give it a little love and put it back into circulation. Before you donate for someone to wear, it should be in excellent condition as-is, meaning the recipient will not have to clean or fix any minor or major issues with the garment. Who knows, once you tidy it up, you may find a new use for it yourself.

If there is a small seam coming out, it takes less time than you think to grab a piece of thread and a needle and sew it up.

For that persistent little stain, Kitchn has a simple-to-follow article for getting out grease stains. ​Once your t-shirt is back to it's former glory, you may want to wear it again or decide it will then be suitable to donate, give, or even sell if it's a collector's item.

For stubborn smells like armpit body odor, I learned a trick from a family member who used to work in theater. Washing decorative costumes wasn't always possible, so they used a spritz of alcohol. It works magic. Just wet the area with a cheap vodka or rubbing alcohol and let it dry. Then wash as normal.

Pet hair is tough because it doesn't just wash out. You usually need to get in there with a roller (consider reusables) to get it all out, but you can start by reducing the amount of hair with some pre-treating and some creative laundry tricks. Use damp hands or rubber glove and wipe over the surface in one direction at a time. When you wash your clothes, use 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar in the wash to prevent static electricity from causing pet hair to stick. You can also try dryer sheets - just throw one in with your shirts on a cool setting. Add a damp microfiber cloth or even a balloon and they will help attract the hair that is there.

The first place people think of when donating t-shirts are the big thrift re-sellers like Goodwill (nonprofit) or Savers (for profit). But many t-shirts that arrive at these stores never make it to the shelves. Some can be put into textile recycling and others might be tossed. They simply get too many.

If you have t-shirts in like-new condition, consider giving your best Ts to a smaller nonprofit that will actually use them.  An example in St. Paul, MN is ​Walking With A Purpose. They give them directly to the unsheltered living in the city.

If they are not quite excellent, but are clean and usable, consider an animal shelters, or other places that can use them for other purposes like bedding, upcycled projects, or rags. An example is the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. 

Check out Donate Good Stuff to find a listing of all organizations near you that are in need of T-shirts right now.

T-shirts that aren't in great shape can be repurposed and reused for so many things, with minimal effort, and that can instead save you money and time going online or the store to purchase. Just as importantly, you trim down your carbon footprint by reducing the amount of 'new' things that have to be sourced, produced, packaged and transported. Here is a fun list of things to try.

There are lots of tutorials about how to make a super simple reusable tote with a few cuts and by tying knots across the bottom. You can also sew the bottom shut for a simple-sew option. Recycle Ann Arbor has easy to follow photos.
Make a bunch to give away to friends, or even to your local market.

Instructables has instructions for a braided rug you can make with as few as 5 t-shirts, and can use more for larger rugs. Just cut long strips and braid, adding new strips as they get to the end. Mix and match colors, or gather all of one color for a rug of similar hues. ​They can be great for dorm rooms, front entryways, basements, and really beautiful ones can serve as an accent piece in a room. Leftovers can be used as t-shirt yarn or for other projects.

Use them as rags for things that are gross where you don't want to use them again on nicer things. For instance: pet mess clean up. If you happen to have 100% cotton, they make great lint free wipes.

Craftspeople or neighbors may appreciate rags for staining wood or for use with other creative endeavors. It might even be worth posting on a social media sharing site like Nextdoor, Cragslist, or Facebook Marketplace.

One really easy, no-sew project is to make a headband by cutting the bottom off of a t-shirt, twisting it in the middle and matching up the two  loops to go around your head. You can also make pony-tail holders in the same way by cutting a thinner strip. The hem at the bottom of the t-shirt has additional strength that is good for this. 

You can make throw pillows. You can even reuse an old pillow for this by stuffing it inside. Just cut two equal squares, sew three sides, stuff, and sew up the last side. For a no-sew option, cut strips on each of the sides and tie the top and bottom together all around the pillow. Here is a 5-Minute Crafts video showing how to do it. 

If you remember those loom kits from the 1970s and 80's? You can use t-shirt strips to make coasters and hot pads for a throwback craft.

Great for cold days or sore muscles, these easy to make comfort bags are a perfect project for using old t-shirts. Make large ones to throw in by your feet on a cold night or to place on a sore neck or lower back. Make small ones to tuck into your jacket pocket or mittens. You can make them from all kinds of fabric but when using the thinner fabric of t-shirts, consider using two layers. Make them just like the pillows, above, but stuff them with dry rice or beans. Heat them in the microwave but be careful as they can burn. I never put mine in for more than 1 minute.

You can actually make yarn out of old t-shirts by cutting a long, continuous strip starting at the bottom of the t-shirt and working your way up. You can string strands from multiple t-shirts together using a simple knot. Then just use a large knitting or crochet needle and create whatever you want.

Some cities and counties offer curbside recycling. For anything really worn, stained, or with holes, this can be a good local option. Just check your area for guidelines. It is worth finding out what they do with the recycled goods to make sure it is the best option available.

What about the collection bins? These are generally put out by for-profit, secondary market resellers and most often bulk-sell abroad. This has been shown to have negative effects on local clothing industries. Additionally, reports indicate nearly half becomes trash because of the greater supply than demand. Because of this, the carbon footprint of sending items across the globe to be burned or landfilled is both unnecessary and unjustifiable. You do much better for the planet by finding a way to upcycle or reuse items, and if that isn’t possible, recycling locally.
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​Recycling centers will often take worn textiles. For some, like Eureka recycling, it is as simple as scheduling a pickup on their app. Check with your local recycler. You can find one near you with Earth 911's textile recycling locator.

What about Goodwill or other resellers?
Definitely don't donate anything that is contaminated or smelly. In an NPR interview with Goodwill spokesperson for stores in Vermont and New Hampshire, Heather Steeves,noted that “All this trash adds up to more than $1 million a year in a trash bill, and it’s been growing every year for the past five years,” Her figure only counted their 30 stores in two states. Make sure to never leave donations outside. They often get damaged by the elements or local critters and the well-intended recycling donations turn into trash and a burden for the organization.

Always check with the individual store. They distinct programs and arrangements. For example, at the Northern New England Goodwill stores, they have a wiping cloth program where people can buy cut up shirts by the bag in the store, and softer rags go to ship builders or artisanal instrument makers who need very fine cloth rags for buffing out their products. 

I love a good checklist. 
​
We just presented on the Sustainability Stage at the Minnesota State Fair. At the event, we handed out a declutter checklist to help attendees find items that can be donated. Several participants asked that we publish it, so we are!
There is also a printable version below.

​Happy decluttering :)

Most or all of the items on this list can be donated to nonprofits where they are truly needed. ​

Kitchen
☐      Pots and pans you seldom use
☐      Bakeware and cookie cutters you haven’t used in two years and/or duplicates
☐      Extra and mismatched dishes, silverware, mugs/glasses, and serving ware
☐      Appliances you haven’t used in the past year
☐      Junk drawer: Extra scissors, measuring tape, pens, markers, clips, etc.
☐      Extra jars, bottles, or cans you don’t use
☐      Duplicate or unused utensils
☐      Unused or excess plastic containers
Bathroom
☐      Travel sized shampoo bottles
☐      Surplus or non-matching towels
☐      Unused cups, holders, décor
☐      Unused mirrors, hangers, shelving/stacking, etc.
Bedrooms
☐      Clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in a season
☐      Jewelry you haven’t worn in a season
☐      Clothes and shoes that don’t fit well
☐      Excess hangers, storage
☐      Books you haven’t read or re-read in 3 years
☐      Unused toys, games, and  books
☐      Extra bedding, blankets, sheets
Living
☐    Extra televisions, furniture, lamps
☐      DVDs and CDs you no longer use
Office & Technology
☐      Excess school supplies
☐      Gift cards you haven’t used
☐      Unused computers
☐      Unused cellphones
☐      Unused cameras
☐      Unused electronics (mice, monitors, printers, etc.)
☐      Excess school supplies
☐      Excess folders, files, folios, binders, etc.
Laundry
☐      Extra hangers and baskets you don’t use
Attic/Storage
☐      Décor you haven’t used in a season
☐      Extra furniture you haven’t used
☐      Anything that is broken
Garage
☐      Unused bikes that haven’t been used in a year
☐               Mower/blower: duplicate or unused
☐      Ladders, extra siding, etc., not used in a year
☐      Yard and Garden tools you haven’t used in a season
☐      Power and hand tools you don’t use
Other
☐      Pet supplies you no longer need
☐      Keys from old cars/houses/unknown
☐      Unused glasses
☐      Furniture you no longer use
☐      Instruments you haven’t played in the past year
☐      Seasonal: coats, mittens, boots not used in a year

​Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Regift, Repurpose, Recycle, Rot...
There are a lot of "Rs" and they are all important pieces of living more sustainably.
Focusing on just one thing to apply them to can help keep them in mind for many things.

Let's start with coffee.
​There are so many ways to make enjoying a cup just a little more earth-friendly. 
By focusing on just one item, hopefully, it will help you apply the "R"s more easily and memorably to other things, too!
​

Think about it.
Every choice is very important to the health of the planet. Coffee has a big carbon footprint from the production, water consumption, shipping, roasting, packaging, and brewing. ​Are there other choices that will be just as easy and satisfying for buying or brewing? Could you cut out some coffee in favor of a healthy glass of water or even enjoy growing your own teas?
If you do need that morning cup, read on...

Refuse earth-unfriendly stuff.
Ditch products (and companies) that harm the environment. Consider better options to capsules, pods, and pads that produce a lot of waste. Take a pass on single-use cups, overpackaged convenience items at the cafe', and plastic packaging. Opt for package-free bulk coffee, buying from sustainable growers and stores.

Have enough, not too much.
Do you find you are throwing out 1/2 of a pot or the last bit of your latte because you don't actually drink it all? Order a smaller size or make 1/2 of a pot.

Fix it if it breaks.
​If you've broken a carafe, you know it costs almost as much to buy a new machine. But even if the cost is similar, in the end you end up with a working machine which is what you need. You may even be able find that carafe from a neighbor through nextdoor or FB Marketplace.

Refill your own, buy used equipment, and donate what you don't need.
Use a refillable cup, a filter-less coffee maker, a cloth napkin, a reusable straw....
If you no longer use your coffee machine, mug, or anything else, donate it, give it, or sell it so someone else doesn't have to buy new.

Creatively up-cycle.
Done with your coffee mug or just have too many? Use it as an adorable little planter.  Incidentally, you can also do that with paper cups, too. They work great for indoor planting spring seedlings. There are lots of other ways to up-cycle them in fun, creative ways.

Plant your grounds.
Who knew coffee grounds could be reused for so many things? You can save them for your garden where they make a great soil addition and help keep some pests at bay. They can even be used as grit on icy sidewalks.

The last option.
When you don't have better choices, recycling single-use cups and items should be a last resort. Since very little plastic is actually recyclable, make sure your city or county can recycle what you are putting in your blue bin. More importantly, ask coffee shops to take responsibility to recycle, offer composting, and allow refillable cups. 

Want to support the work of Breaking Free with 'good stuff'? Here are some of the things that are needed right now and the real impact these donations can have:

When you support Jeremiah Program, you become part of the community. ​Here is a glance at their ongoing needs on Donate Good Stuff:

​Each February, the United States observes Black History Month, a month dedicated to honoring the history, struggles, and triumphs of black people in America and around the world.

Its purpose is to educate us and remind us that black people have always been a contributing force in this nation and the world. The goal shouldn't solely be to celebrate Black History for a month, but to overcome our historical amnesia and to acknowledge and incorporate black history for what it is. Black history is American History. Black history is World History. Black history is a rich and integral part of our collective history.
 
While the stories highlighted during this month often focuses on famous and exceptional figures, it is also the contributions of regular people and everyday actions that have also crafted the world we have inherited. It is often those figures that are most relatable, and no less important, and equally missing from the general narrative.

While Rosa Parks and MLK are important people with major contributions, there are so many other people we should enriching our collective knowledge and experience with. For example, read about Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black activist from Mississippi who launched Freedom Farm Cooperative (FFC), an initiative to purchase land that Black people could collectively own and farm. Read or listen to “1619″ Project. Enjoy black authors Black authors in your reading list. Visit BlackPast.org for an extensive list of other notable Black figures. Dig into these collections, exhibits, and resources, or if you are an educator, these educational resources for teachers.

If you are as much a viewer as a reader, there are fantastic lists of documentaries from PBS or this List of 91 Movies and TV Shows to Stream and dive into wonderful performances by epic black leads and casts like award-winning Octavia Spencer in "Self Made", inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, the first African American self-made millionaire, including Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us,” a drama about a real-life group of Black teens falsely accused of a vicious attack; “Loving,” a film about an interracial couple whose marriage became the basis of a landmark Supreme Court case; and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” starring Viola Davis as the groundbreaking Southern blues singer; and don't leave out outstanding comic performances like Tiffany Haddish's 'They Ready". 

And if you love music, celebrate and listen to music created by Black artists, for example, on Spotify’s “Black History is Now” or Amazon's 'Black History Month". Find classics Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles as well as current recording stars like H.E.R., Anderson .Paak and Andra Day.

Meanwhile, this month and throughout the year, Donate Good Stuff will highlight people and innovative and exceptional organizations that are working to further black health, education, rights and community development. They are making tomorrow's history today, working toward a more vibrant, rich, and equitable world for future generations. Although not all organizations may be collecting donation items through Donate Good Stuff, they merit recognition and support of their work to support anti-racism equity and equality.

We invite you to Follow us on Facebook to learn more.

We feel better when things are organized, but it turns out it is also quite important for our health and wellbeing. ​Psychology Today provides 8 reasons messes are proven to cause stress including overstimulation, lack of focus, inability to relax, anxiety, and guilt, and stifling creativity. Nobody needs these extra stressors in their lives especially when you can do something about it. If you completed or started a quarantine decluttering project (or finally want to start), you will find it not only decreases stress, it also increases productivity, and even saves you money.

It seems simple, so why does stuff seem to always accumulate? There are many methods of 'project' decluttering, whether you choose Marie Kondo, or others, where you set aside a bunch of time and really hit an area to declutter. For most people with busy lives, it is hard to carve out that time.
Just like making your bed or brushing your teeth, if you can make a habit of clearing clutter regularly, it becomes more manageable and gets done. 
First, you need a strategy that work for you. Here are two steps you can start right away. 

STEP 1: 
Create a small space where you feel OK about putting things that you need to donate. Create a 'to donate' bag or box somewhere near your door where these items can go and plop them in. When it fills up or gets in the way, make a trip to donate or post it stuff for neighbors on Nextdoor, Facebook, or you could even just send a message to friends or family who might like the items.

STEP 2:
Create a place where you can put things that need sorting between repair, giving, or trash. Set it somewhere you are regularly or are likely to do a passive activity. Hide it next to a couch where you'll be watching TV or under a chair where you'll be sitting with a child while she does homework. Get creative and find what works for you. When you sit down in that space, you are automatically reminded and the items are right there. Many find sorting a very satisfying activity, plus you make progress toward your decluttering routine.​

Now, how do you get through all of the stuff in a 'routine' way? Here are a couple of ideas that other people have found helpful depending on their personality:

If you struggle with routine and scheduling tasks, try this:
When clutter frustrates you or makes you bad, deal with a little right away. Can't shut your utensil drawer? Right then and there, quickly identify one or a few things you don't use and plop them in the 'to donate' bin. That way, it doesn't have to derail what you are doing, and you get the satisfaction of removing a frustration in the moment. Yay!

If you love a to-do list and organizing but don't have much time, try this:
Give yourself the gift of a tiny bit of time - maybe just 15 minutes on a Saturday morning. Identify a small area like a shelf in your closet, or specific drawer. Take just the allotted time and do a super quick sweep of that area. You can dump everything out, or just pull the things you don't need out - It's your choice. Focus on items that haven't been used in a while, are broken or no good, out of date, or just taking up too much space. Put them aside in a 'to donate' receptacle by your door or if you need time to sort the give/fix/repurpose/trash, set it somewhere you are doing a passive activity like watching TV or sitting with a child while she does homework.  
​

You may well find the extra motivation you need to get things out of your home when you know your items will find a meaningful new home where they will be used and enjoyed. Most people, when they find out someone needs something, bend over backward to get it to them. However, when it's just a pile at your back door without a plan, it can sit for weeks or longer.

Donate Good Stuff is a great resource to help you find organizations that need what you have, nearby, and provides you with the info to easily deliver. Here are some examples of what you can find:

• Give tools you don't use to the MN Tool library 
• Donate current season clothing to service providers like YouthLink, 
• Give work clothes to Dress for Success or Ready for Success
• Donate linens and unopened body care items to a variety of shelters
• Donate furniture to distribution centers like Bridging
• Donate home improvement and construction items to Hearts and Hammers or Habitat ReStore
• Give medical equipment and supplies to Mano A Mano or Hero
• Donate kitchen and household items to supportive programs like Breaking Free, and MORE. 
• Donate art supplies to help young people at Jeremiah Program and Ampersand Families
• Donate sports and outdoor equipment so kids can participate in activities to Urban Ventures

Wherever you donate, carefully read what is needed and what is not ensure your donation is appreciated and used and doesn't become an unintended burden for the organization that can cost them time and money they often don't have. Make sure it is in excellent condition, freshly cleaned, and free of damage, fur, stains, odor and any other unpleasantness unless the listing specifically states otherwise. Always do a re-inspection of items right before you donate!

If you have stuff might not be considered 'good', there are still options:

• Bring used shoe boxes or old blankets to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
• Give outdated computers and equipment to PCs for People or Tech Dump
• Even old cars can have a new life at Newgate School

If you can't find an organization that needs it near you, try some neighborly options like posting your things on Freecycle, the NextDoor app or Facebook community groups and marketplace. Consider other simple and local solutions like delivering a few books to a neighbor's little free library.
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Whether you’re on a limited budget, want to reduce landfill waste – or both – renovating your existing wardrobe instead of buying a new one is easier than you think. A good wardrobe is a must-have for many, and we tend to invest in new clothes without taking stock of what’s already hanging in our closets. You can resist the temptation by giving your wardrobe an economical but fun fashion facelift.
Transforming and tweaking your wardrobe instead of buying a new one saves money. Maybe you’re a single mom whose job requires a high-level wardrobe, or you’re young and just building up a solid income. Perhaps you’re interested in recycling and upcycling. We have some great advice and techniques to find both budget-easy and Earth-friendly ways to update your wardrobe.
 
A Second Life
We all have our clothing secrets, those gotta-have purchases that we hang in the closet, waiting for the next perfect occasion. Except, that perfect cocktail party or night on the town just never materializes. Eventually, we forget it’s hanging there, tags still attached, and now it’s no longer trendy or it doesn’t fit like before.
Don’t just toss clothes: consider giving them a second life. Most of our clothes eventually end up in a landfill. In 2015, more than 10 million tons of fabrics went to landfills, according to the EPA. Yet within that same year, only about 14% of clothing and shoes were recycled. Producing new clothes and other textiles requires energy, water, and other resources. By renewing your wardrobe (and other household textiles like linens, bed sheets, drapes, and blankets) instead of discarding, you can do your part to reduce landfill waste.
 
Clothes Renewal Selection
Let’s dig in and decide which clothes stay, which clothes leave, and which are good candidates for a transformation.
Go through your closet. Take clothes out and start working on an organization system. Some people organize types of clothes together: button-down shirts together, slacks, pants, skirts, dresses, etc. Others group their wardrobe according to use: work clothes, party clothes, casual clothes. Still, others group their clothes according to colors.
Whatever organizing system you use, stick to it, and revisit the selection process every few months, or at minimum once a year. You may discover clothes you haven’t noticed for years. Rotating them into your regular wardrobe choices brings new variety.
 
How Often Do You Use it?
As you go through your closet, question how often you use it. How about that outdated pair of slacks or that forgotten dress? These slacks make a good candidate for re-homing or renovating, and you could transform that dress into a cute blouse. If you haven’t worn something for a year, give serious thought to renovating it or removing it from your closet.
 
Does it Still Suit You?
You adored that skirt 10 years ago when you couldn’t resist buying it. Still, think you can’t live without it? Do you have the same feelings for it? This kind of item in your wardrobe might be a good candidate for a subtle or grand transformation.
 
What to Do with Clothes you Don’t Need?
You should now have a keep pile, a keep but renovate pile, and a “leave the house” pile. What do you do with these clothes? Evaluate them: If they’re good quality and not hopelessly outdated fashion-wise, you may consider donating them. You can find places near you to donate at DonateGoodStuff.org. You may also consider using social media groups such as Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor, as well as selling them at a local consignment shop.
If you don’t want the hassle or the clothes aren’t top quality, you can also offer them for free on sites like The Freecycle Network. This way, the clothes have a use for others while staying out of the landfill.
 
Upcycle, Downcycle, and Renovation Techniques
Your wardrobe is a great source of creative upcycle and downcycle projects.
Upcycling involves turning an existing item into something of higher value. Those tired old jeans could become an on-trend, functional shopping tote, a denim tank top, or a woven sink floor mat. Upcycling saves energy and materials used by new-item manufacturing processes. Some people earn income by crafting and selling items using upcycled materials.
You can also downcycle your wardrobe – that is, turn the fabric into something else useful but less valuable than the original item. Turn soft but no longer wearable cotton T-shirts into dust cloths, a sweater for your dog, or a snuggly small pet hammock. Downcycle shirts to wax your car. Crafty people have recycled clothes into sewn protective face masks, using t-shirt strips as tie straps.
Check out hundreds of amazing second-life ideas for upcycling your clothing. You’ll be amazed what some creativity, scissors, and maybe some sewing thread can accomplish. You don’t have to be a professional seamstress or DIY fashion guru to achieve beautiful results.
There are some great fabrics for craft or upcycle projects that are probably hanging in your closet right now:

• Denim, like jeans and jean jackets
• Cotton shirts
• T-shirts
• Cotton blouses or dresses
• Flannel or plaid shirts
• Bedsheets
• Wool sweaters and blankets

By using various techniques and some handy online tutorials, you can cut, sew, glue, and transform unwanted, tired fabrics into new, exciting clothes, home decorating, or craft creations. Here are some ideas for transforming closet rejects:
 
Cutting
Fabrics and scissors are a perfect match when you’re giving new life to clothes. Renovations can be as simple as cutting slacks into shorts and hemming the frayed ends (or leave the frayed ends for a casual statement). Cut strips and weave together for a rug, tying off the ends or cut clothes up for future quilting pieces.
 
Transform Dresses into Trendy Tops or Skirts
Remember that cute dress you almost never wore? Turn it into a top or even a skirt. This may be as simple as hemming the dress a little higher and adding a cute belt. Look online for inspiration and tutorials.
 
Repurpose Old T-shirts into Something New
Do you have drawers full of oversized t-shirts or old t-shirts? Give them a new life. Weave them into totes, make them into crop tops, or find other ways to reuse the fabric. T-shirt material is a dream to renovate, upcycle, or downcycle. When cut, t-shirts don’t fray, so you can cut and handle without the need to hem. You can also use T-shirts as knitting yarn to make rag rugs, macrame, pillow cushions, patchwork quilts, t-shirt bags, or even potholders.
 
Tie-Dye
Tie-dye never goes out of style. Vibrant and fun, tie-dyeing makes a terrific family activity. Transform white shirts or other clothes, even ones that may be stained. Chances are unless they’re bad stains, the tie-dye pattern will hide the imperfections, making that shirt wearable again.
Before you dive into tie-dying, watch videos online with step-by-step directions. There are lots of different techniques to achieve the patterns and color combinations you most love.
If you’re not into tie-dye, you can use different painting materials on clothing to change their look. Try acrylic pens, natural pigments, and even fabric paints watered down to make clothes look just like a dreamy watercolor painting. Sites like Pinterest.com have lots of ideas for bringing new life to your clothes.
 
Bleach Techniques
If you have dark clothes, you can transform them into vibrant, eye-catching statement pieces by using a creative reverse dye technique process of bleaching out the color and then adding bright dye colors to the bleached, white sections. You can also use bleach pens to create cool, colorful images on fabric.
 
Knitting, Sewing, and Crocheting
Don’t overlook traditional methods to change up clothes you’ve grown tired of. Knitting, sewing, and crocheting are time-honored skills you can enjoy learning as you add beautiful accents to your clothes.
Hem a long skirt into a shorter version or transform slacks into shorts. Add a contrasting color block to an existing skirt. Sew a lace hem on shorts or a crocheted accent onto a blouse for a charming touch.
 
Repair Old Clothes
Instead of throwing away clothes, consider repairing them. Resist the urge to pitch clothes with a hole or missing button, Invest a little time in repairing instead of replacing, and you’ll save lots of money. Iron on or sew on a cool, on-trend patch on your jeans, and change out the buttons on your sweater. Browse online shops for eye-catching buttons that show off your personality.
If your sewing, darning, or sew-on button techniques are rusty or nonexistent, don’t worry: There are lots of tutorials online for almost any repair situation.
 
Denim Jeans and Jackets
Denim jeans are incredibly versatile for repurposing projects. Sew some patches or lace onto existing jeans or a jacket for an on-trend shabby-chic fashion statement. Use fabric paint to embellish with flowers, peace symbols, or cool sayings.
Denim’s fabric strength can be transformed into things like totes, light-blocking curtains, woven denim rugs, or reupholstering fabric for chairs for a fresh shabby-chic look. Make denim into pillows, baskets, or quilts. Make a braided tug-toy for your favorite pooch (make sure he doesn’t swallow the fabric) or, using elastic on each end of a pants leg, make a grocery-bag holder. There are lots of tutorials online with clever ideas for old jeans.
 
Patching
Clothes don’t last forever, especially if worn by kids. Sometimes quick patching can give clothes years more life. Find coordinating or contrasting colors to bring interest to your renovation. You can place the patch on the inside of the worn-out spot and sew it in for added textural appeal.
 
More DIY Wardrobe Renovation Ideas
There are other creative and inexpensive ways to inject new life into your wardrobe.
Update your accessories. Haunt thrift stores and estate sales for sweet vintage statement pieces like bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. Browse vintage stores for a retro leather handbag. A new-to-you set of bangles can bring new sparkle to your ensemble. Or, switch it up with a luxurious-looking, oversized scarf or shawl for a pop of color or pattern. Add an accentuating belt.
Add a few “basics” to your wardrobe. Add a solid-colored jacket or sweater, a classic blouse, or a basic skirt that you can create multiple ensembles with. Thrift stores are a great place to shop. These basic additions can match with pieces already in your closet, providing a fresh look.
Mix and match colors and patterns. This increases your daily ensemble variety and choices. Don’t be afraid to buck the trend of a pattern paired only with a solid. Try some florals with stripes.
Have a clothes swap party. Invite friends over and ask them to bring gently-used clothes, shoes, and accessories. Share your own offerings. You can make this a fun, themed get-together.
Look for classic, casual, or business jackets that you can change out with different blouses and skirts or a good pair of jeans. Elevate an ensemble or rock a casual look, adding versatility to your present wardrobe.
 
The Sky’s the Limit
Renovating and rehabbing your wardrobe can be as extensive and as creative as you want – let your DIY fashion imagination soar. Try out a new painting, sewing, or tie-dye techniques, and if you mess it up, that’s OK: it’s all part of the learning and experimenting process. If you have kids, set them loose with some of their clothes and paint pens or other kid-safe fabric paints.
 
Find Joy in your Wardrobe Again
You can feel good about giving your clothes a new life and a new look. You’ll expand your wardrobe choices while saving money and being a good steward of the Earth.
The clothing manufacturing industry is harsh on our environment. Some companies are showing creativity in using throwaway items like water bottles upcycled into new clothes, handbags, and even bed sheets. However, until all technology improves with more sustainable and recycled materials, you can do your part by not buying new items. Instead, have fun using these techniques to bring new purpose to your existing wardrobe.
 
Originally posted on Porch.com