Designate a donation basket

[Michele]

Designate a donation basket.

1. Find a large basket, box, or bag.
2. Place it somewhere handy but out of view – you don’t want it to look untidy. Perhaps in a hallway closet, the laundry, or on a shelf in the kitchen.

And you’re done!

Now, any time you notice something unused or unloved in your home, wardrobe, car or office, simply pop it in your donation basket.

When the basket gets full, you can bag up the contents and leave them in your car to deposit at a charity bin.

Remember: 1. Move fast. 2. Don’t overthink. 3. Feel great about getting organized!

Start the 5-minute timer now.

[happyaddgirl]

I keep a bag near the kitchen door for this! It is really helpful!

[Michele]

@happyaddgirl
I love how just having the bag at your door makes you more attuned to stuff you can donate.

[webmommy]

Looking forward to my daily tasks! I'm one with good "organizing" intentions but I work from home and on my computer all day usually-easy for me to put off household chores. Having these tips emailed daily will make this techno-work-at-home mommy get off her computer for at least five minutes to accomplish something good for my home and family every day!

I have a reusable grocery bag hanging out in my mud room. Let's see if I can get that filled up and donated! Thanks!

[Michele]

@ Webmommy: What a great idea to use the 5-minute tasks to get your home organizing done, while saving your brainpower for work. Smart!

You might like to enter a quick note (even simply 'done') for each task, just to get that sense of ticking something off your list.

M

[daniemiles]

Covered an empty diaper box in wrapping paper, let my son decorate the box with foam stickers, labeled it Donations, keep by front door (unfortunately no good place to keep it out of sight); upstairs I have a reusable shopping bag for clothes that need to be donated.
- Danie Smallwood
Photography By Danie | Danie Smallwood, Photographer

[Michele]

@daniemiles: I love that your son covered the donation box with stickers! What a nice way to make it cheery and also attention-grabbing.

Having your donation box by the front door will constantly remind your whole family to think about what they can donate.

M

[jrsmith1624]

had a box left over from a Christmas present sitting right next to my bed, so got rid on that by using it for my donation box. Put the box at the end of our upstairs hallway don't really have a closet it can go in. But figured everyone will see it and be reminded to use it! Also got a few things put in it within the five minutes that I had sitting around in different places to get rid of. Love this idea

[Michele]

I love that your donation basket is already filling up! What a great start to the year.

[julie888]

I just filled a rather large green bag with all my books. As I now have an ipad and the books I want to keep I have bought via amazon.

Took them to the local library. Will hang the bag near the door so I can remind myself to constantly fill it.

Thanks for the ideas ladies!