Tag: clothing donations

Put Life on Pause for the Long Weekend

Posted on by Jordank

The kids are back in school. Friday hours are ending. Deadlines are looming. Stores are ready for Halloween — still two months away. And people are asking, “Where did the #summer go?”

Granted, this happens every year, but something about 2026 seems to have more people feeling shortchanged by the #seasons. Is it inflation and higher prices? The increasingly unpredictable weather? The social media time-suck? The relentless news cycle? Nobody knows for sure.

If you’re among the many who feel that summer slipped away too soon, take advantage of this last “official” week of the summer season. Over the long Labor Day weekend, unplug from the stress, shake things up and enjoy yourself.

One way to do this is to treat the #weekend like a #vacation rather than just three days of non-work time, says Self. Tweak your schedule to make the weekend feel more leisurely. “That might look like turning off your alarm, lingering in bed or savoring your favorite breakfast.”

Seek out awe-inspiring activities, the story adds, by finding a scenic hiking trail, watching the sunrise or going to a museum. Put a special, optional event on your schedule so you don’t skip it in favor of work or chores — whether that means a coffee date, a class or a shopping spree.

Meet the weekend head-on by getting enough sleep, says LifeHack. Try to get up at the same time you would on weekdays, but don’t be afraid to take a nap to reduce “negative emotions, increase alertness and enhance your abilities to learn.”

Next, truly unplug. While social media feeds can seem interesting and even educational, mindless scrolling saps #time and #energy. Leave that phone in another room and read an old-fashioned book to let your imagination wander.

Something that might seem like a chore can enhance #relaxation and improve your mood: #Decluttering. #Organize some paperwork; #clean the refrigerator; weed out your #wardrobe. And #donate any lightly used clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org.

There’s only so much summer to go around. Make the most of your long weekend and what’s left of the season!

How to Make an Adult Birthday Memorable

Posted on by Jordank

To make an #adult #birthday party truly memorable, go beyond the basic #party or dinner and drinks and instead arrange an experience that gives “you a story to tell instead of another dinner receipt,” says The Rustic Brush. “A nice meal is never a bad choice, but the problem is that it often blends into every other Friday night.” Try starting the day early with a hike or paddle. Build a birthday around something that you or that special someone has been meaning to do. Do a #DIY art workshop with friends, or learn to cook something new. Take an overnight trip. Or kick back with a massage or spa day. #BetterBirthday

Keep Costs in Check on Kids’ Birthday Parties

Posted on by Jordank

To #save on the cost of kids’ #birthday parties, stock up early. Check #thrift stores, dollar stores, clearance bins and websites for deals on the things you know you’ll need, buy them and set them aside for the big day. Use an e-vite instead of paper invitations and get creative by decorating balloons or making a piñata yourself. Cakes don’t have to be expensive, either; it’s easy to dress up a box mix with homemade frosting and sprinkles. For entertainment, “You don’t have to hire a clown or a traveling petting zoo,” Parents says — games like Red Rover and charades offer plenty of fun at little or no cost. #BetterBirthday

Pick a Theme for Your Birthday Party

Posted on by Jordank

A good theme can make planning an adult #birthday easier, says Guest Reel — especially if you’re planning the #party on a budget. A costume party (themed by decade, color scheme, or pop culture reference) can help guests get creative, and the #thrift stores supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org can provide a lot of source materials. A board game tourney or trivia night is a good way to encourage friendly competition. A craft night allows guests to something they can take home while socializing. Or try a wine-and-cheese tasting. Whatever you choose, the goal is to #celebrate the particular person. #BetterBirthday

Why Storing Your Extra Stuff Isn’t Always the Answer

Posted on by Jordank

Storage is big business. A wide variety of “storage solutions” on the market promise to help you #organize your #stuff by purpose and season, from the underbed box of out-of-season sweaters to the huge green bins designed to hold holiday lights and decorations.

What’s more, about 10% of U.S. households lease a #storage unit to contain bins, boxes, boats, cars and other #things they just can’t cram into their current homes. Self-storage is a $44 billion industry in the U.S., and it’s growing fast.

But storage is rarely the answer to one’s #decluttering and #organizing needs. “Just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it’s out of mind,” says Miss Minimalist. “Your clutter is still there, hanging over your head, piled beneath your feet, lurking in the dark corners of your home.”

#Storage systems can help people #organize. You #sort items into a brand-new box or bin, label it and put it on a shelf. If you return to that bin knowing that it holds what you’re looking for, so much the better! But if you don’t, all you’ve done is hide your junk.

The same goes for a self-storage unit. You likely overestimated the value of the goods stored and/or the likelihood of using those things again. And you’ll do anything to avoid making a decision about that stuff, including continuing to pay the monthly fee.

Self-storage units can be useful in the short term if you’re transitioning between homes or downsizing. But most units are just a replacement for #decluttering. Reconsider renting if you don’t really need most of what you want to put in there.

“Because your #clutter is stored in an off-site location, there’s a greater chance you just won’t bother dealing with it,” says Garage Living. “Before you know it, years will have passed, the #junk in your storage unit will collect more dust, [and] your bank account will be emptier.”

Before you waste money on a bunch of new organizers or a self-storage unit, #declutter. Figure out what you aren’t using now and how likely that is to change. Reduce the sentimental items to only most treasured and put them in a truly safe place.

Then, contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #picukup. On the appointed day, a driver will pick up the things you no longer need and help you reclaim space in your cleaner, more streamlined home.