to ask if charity shops want donations at this time of year

[YankeeCandlePong]

or are they overwhelmed?

We're having a massive de-clutter and I was wondering if charity shops actually want stuff in the New Year or is everyone else off-loading stuff and they'll be getting more than they can cope with?

bump

Depends on the shop, one might not one round the corner might be desperate.

its worth ringing or going in and asking the shops first as some have large storage spaces and some dont but even christmas decorations and related stuff can be kept till next year if the shop has enough space thats what our shop does

but if your taking a lrge donation in please look at each item and think would i buy that in a charity shop, if its ion bad condition or your answer is no way in a million years please dont donate as the shop will think the same and it costs an arm and a leg to get the rubbish taken away, you would be amazed at some of the dirty broken crap that gets dumped at charity shops, im not saying yours is but especially at this time of year folks please donate good quality sellable stuff

Thanks for replies.

I agree, issey, I'd only donate what I think is sellable. The rest is being recycled or landfilled

I've got a lot of good quality children's summer clothes. Should I donate them now or put in the loft until spring?

bump

Just ring the shop

Some have more storage space than others

if the shop your thinking of has storage space donate whatever you were going to as A you will probably forget the kids clothes you put in the loft, and b we have sections upstairs that cover, winter, summer, christmas, easter, halloween, you name it we have some stuff stored in those sections among others like crafts etc

Just contact the shop. the one I favour is a huge place and they told me they take stuff all year round, including Christmas stuff in Spring, for example. I've tried little shops who haven't been interested as they don't have the space so can only take stuff that they can get rid of quickly, eg they will only accept winter clothes from autumn to end of winter.

Depending where you are in the country you could contact your nearest Baby bank as well.

Sod off with your face, Worra. I'm asking on here because it's a chat forum. There are quite a few charity shops nearby not just one.

I used to volunteer in a charity shop. They actually liked Christmas decoration type donations at this time of year, because they found that shoppers wanted to pick up a bargain for next Christmas. I guess, a bit like buying next year's wrapping paper cheap in the Tesco sale.
We had some storage, so summer clothes donated in January would be put away until May/June. Children's clothes though were usually put out whenever they were donated, because parents were always looking for a bargain that their children would be ready for in the next season.
Maybe best to check as you hand over your bag though, and maybe take it to a nearby shop if your preferred choice doesn't store. I remember clearing out my garage of a load of paperbacks in well nigh perfect condition, which the shop accepted. After I had donated about six carrier bags full, I happened to notice that there were no adult books on display. I asked, and was told they had decided that these weren't worth the shelf room, and so just went to landfill. I was glad that I had asked, because I then took that donation to the shop next door, who were very grateful! (Incidentally, I have noticed that the first shop have now started selling adult paperbacks again!)
If you are donating children's books, or toys, your children's nursery or school might love to receive them. I volunteer in a primary school library, and all donations are gratefully received - we just don't have the money to spend on new books. I have also seen that the Year 3 class teacher has recently asked for any donations for wet play toys for her class, as their stock of games had been lost/pieces missing etc - I assume this is a common problem.
Finally, if you do donate to a charity shop ask them if you can register for gift aid if you pay tax (or donate in your partner's name if s/he pays tax) - won't cost you anything, but will mean that everything they sell which you have donated will make more money for them.

I took a bin bag full to my local one on Saturday and they snapped my hand off.

Thanks Leeds2 - very helpful advice and much appreciated.