‘I work in a charity shop – that’s why I wish families would sort out unwanted toys before Christmas’

We’re not yet in the fall holidays, but children across the country are already starting to think about their Christmas lists.

Whether it’s video games, mud kitchens, or the latest Barbie accessory, parents are probably wondering where on earth they can fit more toys.

If your toy cupboard is bursting, the charity shop staff have a plea. Sorting through your old toys now and donating the ones the children have outgrown can help families in need.

A message explaining why is shared by parents on social media. It shows how many people sort toys after Christmas to make room for new toys. But families who may have less money often want to buy those toys in the run-up to Christmas.

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“She always sees parents looking for toys in the days before Christmas that may be tight for money.”

The message reads:

‘The lady at the charity shop told me today that she would like people to clear out their children’s old toys in the run up to Christmas rather than after as she always sees a number of parents looking for toys for their little ones in the days before Christmas . who may be short on cash.

“She said that right before there is rarely anything in there, but in the days afterward they are inundated with toys.

“And it really made me think about it in a way that I never would have before.”

“If you know your child will be getting a lot of presents from Santa this year, cleaning out the cupboards a few days early can make another child’s Christmas a lot more special, too.”

Many people have commented on the posts saying ‘what a great idea’ and ‘brilliant’.

And parents who already do it say their kids love it.

“I do this every year, my boys enjoy picking out their toys for other kids to play with,” said one mother.

Another said it was a great day activity.

“I used to do this with my boys,” she noted. ‘In November we cleaned up on deployment days and then took them to thrift stores.’

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5 tips for donating toys to charity shops

Last year the British Heart Foundation also urged families to donate unwanted toys before Christmas to help with ‘high demand’.

“We are calling on families who may be clearing out toy boxes and cupboards to make room for Christmas by donating their unwanted items so that another child can enjoy a much-loved treasure,” the charity said.

She also shared these helpful tips for donating toys.

1. For board games and puzzles, make sure all the pieces are in the box before donating. A missing ‘Z’ in a Scrabble set can get in the way of winning or losing and we don’t want to be responsible for that!

2. The exception to the tip above is sets from Lego or Duplo – incomplete sets of these toys are very popular and still provide a lot of fun.

3. Save your batteries and remove them from toys and games before donating them. We will still test them before putting them on sale.

4. Everyone loves hearing the stories behind beloved teddy bears. They will always find a warm new home and someone who loves them.

5. If you have collectible toys to donate, they may be valuable in any condition – so please don’t leave them behind when you donate.