This post has been percolating in my head since Christmas for a while. Sandy asked what she could do with the hundreds of used Christmas cards she had. Well, I didn’t know, but the challenge was accepted!

During the pandemic, many of us were sheltered in place and decided to de-stress and get all that bad juju out of our living quarters. And, I cannot believe I’m about to say this, but I tried my hand at reducing stuff, too. I made it quick. Keep? Donate? Or trash it?

Here’s where the conundrum lies. What if you can’t use it but it’s too good to throw away? Donate? Yes! But you’ll be surprised (or maybe you won’t) that not everything can be donated easily. And if an item is too difficult to donate, green is the new black, so take a peek on Pinterest and repurpose some of those things.

All of the links are listed at the bottom of this post for easy access.

Eye glasses: 

Your old glasses can benefit others in your community or around the world.

Lions Clubs International has a partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club. The blue and white Lions Club collection boxes are at most Walmart or Sam’s Club Vision Centers.

Or, if you’d like to help people in need across the globe, consider donating to VSP Global so someone in need can see.

Musical Instruments

Perhaps you had foot the bill for your child’s music class. Or that child was interested in, let’s say, a guitar, then a mandolin, then a ukulele and then bag pipes, and then…..?

In the Cincinnati area, a remarkable program called Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids (LINKS), will accept musical instruments in any shape.  The donated instruments are refurbished at no charge to the program by repair technicians at Buddy Roger’s Music. They are evaluated, repaired, sanitized, and put in good playing condition — ready to be placed in the hands of an eager student. 

An unused piano takes up a lot of floor real estate. If it’s a piano you’d like to donate, this organization will pick yours up in all 50 states.

Here’s an exemplary example of a repurposed instrument. My friend, Bob Richardson, creates these lovely, yet whimsical, art pieces that will make you smile. The photo below depicts one of my favorites. He has created a curvaceous Bluetooth speaker from an Original 1915 Silver Euphonium. The sound, which will play continuously for 6-8 hours, is said to be exquisite. You can see more of Bob’s signature pieces on his website or Facebook page.

Yarn

Sewn, crocheted or knitted items can find a donation home, rather quickly. But what about those “raw” materials that’s been accumulating?

Binky Patrol will happily accept batting, yarn, soft fabric and notions to make blankets for children that are ill, abused or in shelters.

Purposefully using up your stash of yarn, fabric, and other materials, is a great way to promote sustainability in your own home. It’s the waste-not, want-not mentality. Try one of projects pictured below. Either one is sure to use up quite a bit of yarn.

Bras

Gently used bras can be donated to Bra Recycling or Free The Girls. Both organizations have sent millions of bras all over the world to empower girls and women.

Makeup

We’ve all been there. We buy a beauty product online and it’s the wrong color; shampoo recommended by the hair gods makes you smell like a dude; or something we don’t really need-need, like those magnetic false eyelashes (I only bought 2 sets). So, what to do with all the barely-touched beauty products you just don’t have a need for?

This link provides 5 five places to donate new or gently used beauty products.

Paint

Sandy’s brain will break if she can’t find someone who can benefit from the used latex paint she has collected. In my local area of Cincinnati, Matthew 25: Ministries’ will accept paint as well as Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lexington, KY. Check locally before you start lugging paint around town, though. ReStore will mix the paint to sell and raise cash for Habitat for Humanity and Matthew 25: Ministries will re-blend the paint and provide the new colors to nonprofits, schools, public facilities and low income individuals.

Christmas Cards

And, finally, what to do with those used Christmas cards!

Start with organizations that make creative projects. Schools, churches, assisted living facilities, even correctional institutions. There are hundreds of ideas on Pinterest if you’d like to give your cards a second life. If you prefer donating them, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has a recycled card program which provide teens with life and work skills.

As promised, here’s a list of all the links:

• Your prescription glasses can be donated to VSP Global
• If near Cincinnati, Ohio donate musical instruments in any shape to LINKS
• Your piano will be picked up by Pianos for Education in all 50 states
• If you’d like to be the owner of an original Bob Richardson art piece, visit his website or on his Facebook page
• Binky Patrol will happily accept batting, yarn, soft fabric and notions
• Gently used bras can be donated to Bra Recycling or Free The Girls
• This link provides 5 five places to donate new or gently used beauty products
• In the Cincinnati area, used paint can be donated to Matthew: 25 Ministries; Lexington, Kentucky ReStore also accepts used paint; and to find a ReStore near you, use this link
• Greeting (Christmas) cards can be sent to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; or if you’d like to repurpose cards yourself, visit Pinterest for hundreds of tutorials

Most items can be donated or used for another purpose. No matter the method, every donation and repurpose has an impact.