The Problem with Hand Me Downs
Do you save your older child's clothes to give to your younger children?Are you a middle child or younger child?Have you worn hand me downs since you were a baby from your older brother(s) or sisters(s)?Do you still get hand me downs from them even as adults?What do you do with them?There are different levels of hand me downs and they have to be dealt with in different ways. Here are my suggestions:
The Baby and Children Clothes
As a parent, I bet you have kept old clothes for the next child to wear when they get to the right age. How many times have you stored the hand me downs in a box hidden in a cupboard and then forgot about them until they are too small for the next child to wear? If that has happened to you or is happening currently, it is time to get those items out of the cupboard.
a. If they items are now too small for the younger child, donate them or sell them on second websites/applications such as Dubizzle or Second Hand Facebook groups.
b. If the item can still fit the child, put them in a drawer or area of the wardrobe where you can see the items and remind yourself that they are to be worn. Also make a note on your calendar to use these clothes when the child has reached the age of the items.
c. If your children have too many clothes and the whole clothing area is disorganized, declutter all the clothes that are not in use including the hand me downs and buy your children clothes when they need them.
2. The Sibling/Family Member Hand Me Downs When working with clients, I often see older siblings putting clothes in one pile to give to their younger siblings. This happens especially when the clothing item is new, unused and/or designer. The client feels guilty for decluttering the item, but feels that the guilt will be alleviated by passing it onto a family member. Normally the item of clothing won't suit the sibling and is not in their style, but they feel obliged to take the item as it is a "present" from their older sibling or family member.In turn when dealing with younger siblings, I have seen them declutter a lot of clothes they have been given by family members which they have never worn or liked. The relief on their faces as they get rid of these items is evident from the moment they start decluttering. It is as if the weight of having to keep these "presents", has been lifted off them.If you can relate to these two scenarios I want you to do the following:a. If you are the older sibling and are decluttering items, look at the item carefully and decide if it will suit your sibling or family member. If no, throw it in the donate/sell pile. If it might suit them, ask them if they want it. Don't force them to take the item.A great tip I have read recently is to offer to give the item to your sibling or family members on the condition that it is something that they would have been willing to pay for.
Also ask your older sibling, don't leave the item thrown on their bed for them to discover later in the day. They may not like the item but be obliged to keep it hidden in their wardrobe, which will add to their clutter.b. If you are the younger sibling, don't say yes to be accommodating to your sibling or family member. See if the item will suit you and if you have a space to put the item in your wardrobe or cupboard. If you do not like the item, tell them (with a thanks as well for offering it in the first place).And as above, consider the whether you would have bought the item if you had seen it in a shop. If yes, keep it, if no why do you want it now?Have a plan for hand me downs whether they are for your children or from family members in your adult years. If you use the tips above you, can remove the problem with hand me downs and also reduce the clutter in your home.If you need help to remove the clothes clutter in your home, contact us to find out which package is best for you.Let me know how you have dealt with hand me downs. The best tips will be shared with the DeCluttr Me followers.
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