Spring De-cluttering Tips, courtesy of Home Storage Solutions…
If you’ve got lots of magazines in your home, and want to get rid of them, but don’t just want to chuck or recycle them, here are the top seven places to donate magazines you should consider.
1. Your Local Library
One of my favorite places to donate both books and magazines is to my local library. Even if the library does not need the magazines itself, for its patrons, many libraries hold a Friend of the Library Sale where they can sell your used magazines to help with their own fundraising.
Be warned, however, that not all libraries accept these magazine donations, so call ahead and inquire before you drop them all off at their doorstep. (The same goes for all the ideas listed below since not all areas and organizations have the same policies and procedures.)
2. Nursing Homes And Retirement Communities
Many elderly people are looking for items to entertain themselves, especially if it is difficult for them to move around. Therefore, they are often appreciative of new reading material, and also a friendly chat when you come to drop the magazines off.
3. Military Troops
Our country’s solidiers, especially those serving overseas, are often looking for fresh reading material too, and would appreciate your donated magazines.
Similary, veterans associations may be looking for reading material as well.
4. Women Or Family Shelters
Sitting back and reading a magazine can help you relax and take your mind off things, which is one of the reasons we all enjoy getting them. The same can be true of women and families in shelters who may appreciate something to take their mind off other matters for a while with an interesting article or two.
5. Doctor And Dentist Offices, Hospitals And Other Waiting Rooms
Any place that has a waiting room, where people are looking to pass the time, is an ideal place to donate magazines.
If you really want to have the recipients appreciate them, choose waiting rooms for businesses and organizations whose clients would enjoy the type of magazines you are donating. For example, if you’ve got car magazines donate them to the oil change business, or Guideposts (I love that magazine!) to your dentist office waiting room.
6. Preschools And Daycare Centers For Use In Crafts
My kids, when they were in preschool, used pictures from magazines all the time during arts and crafts. They would cut pictures out and glue them on just about any type of project the teachers could think of.
Schools, preschools and daycare centers are always on the look out for (family friendly) magazines they can use with their kids, to let them have some fun, and they’ll really appreciate the resource.
7. Swap Magazines With Your Friends And Family
This is actually my favorite suggestion, and actually can be used in combination with any of the other ones above, since the last person in the swap can then donate them to the places listed.
I had a little magazine swap going with several of my friends for a couple of years, before we all started discontinuing our subscriptions because we got too busy with kids, and it was a lot of fun.
I got to read several magazines I didn’t even subscribe to, and it was a great excuse for everyone to get together monthly and have a girls night, along with actually trading magazines.
