Where can I donate things ahead of Christmas??

[onafuckingmission]

Genuine question - I have searched online and there is nothing in my area.
In my very cluttered house I have;

• toys
• books
• clothes
• toiletries
• jewellery
• scooters / trikes etc
• 2 spare artificial Christmas trees, lights and decorations
• boxes of Christmas crackers

Most of the kids stuff is used but my son has just not taken an interest in it or has outgrown it, so it is in great condition and could be re-gifted to other children. The toiletries are unopened and unused because people keep buying them for me even though I have very sensitive skin and cannot use them. Jewellery still in boxes because I just don't wear it. There are loads of things that we just don't need, or have been duplicated gifts for our son (jigsaws and other toys that are literally still in the boxes from last Christmas because he was given so much). It makes me sick to the stomach that there are so many people in this country who (through no fault of their own) cannot afford any sort of Christmas this year. I don't want to give things to a charity shop because I know that so many cannot afford to spend anything, even charity shop prices. We do not have very much money at all - it is all gone by the end of each month - but I really want to give these things that we have knocking around with the hope that they could make a difference to families this Christmas. I just don't know where to take things / how to go about it. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

Dunelm asks for Christmas decorations

Posted on AIBU for traffic - sorry!!

I saw a post I think on MN saying that the Salvation Army is taking brand new toys so Children will have something new for Christmas

Call:
Childrens centre
Local refuge
Salvation Army

They should either want it or be able to tell you where will

Try a local church

I will ask the local church - I would ideally like to give the whole lot to one place as I don't have the resources to split it into different groups (brand new toys, Christmas decorations etc) and take them to different places.
We live in a fairly affluent area (we are not well off but live with family who moved here in the 1970s when it was considered the pits) and I just want to make sure that things are going somewhere that they will be needed.

See if there is a Women's Aid Centre near you?

Do you happen to be anywhere near Milton Keynes?

This is so lovely of you op.

I finally got out of my abusive relationship a couple of weeks before Christmas quite a few years ago.

Me and my dc showed up with nothing except from a bag of photos and the clothes on our backs.

Some kind soul, just like you, had donated some decorations and toys and clothes that very day.

Within a few hours of being in that refuge our place was decorated for Xmas, I was given some clothes and books and bath stuff, my kids had some gifts wrapped up under the tree and we had a food bank parcel full of lovely little Christmas bits too.

My kids were sleeping soundly, and peacefully for the first time in a long time, and I just sat and cried through relief and happiness.

Due to that I would suggest WA, but I just wanted you to know that regardless of where you donate it there will be a family, just like mine, who you'll probably never know about, but they will be eternally grateful to you, just as I am forever grateful to the angel who donated everything all those years ago 💐

I don't think you'd need a lot of 'resources' to sort out different piles of stuff to give to different charities. And even if there are not many charities close by your affluent area, a lot will come pick up if you give them a call and explain what you've got and they'll let you know what they are able to take. Or I'm sure an hour or so delivering to two or three different places could be possible?
I'd start at nearby women's aid shelters, homeless charities, food banks (could tale toiletries).

That's so lovely to read. I hope your life is happy and peaceful now

Have a look at the council recycling centres , ours has a place where you can donate stuff you don’t want , but someone else might , they clean it up , repair and then sell on in a shop on site

@KitchiHuritAngeni
Thank you for sharing this - I will contact the local WA and see if they are able to take the lot.
I hope that you and your children are happy and settled into your new life away from abuse xx

@Eggygirl
I knew someone like you would turn up...

Care to elaborate or just a little vague, passive aggressive comment to bait?

@Eggygirl
I took your comment about my "affluent area" and lack of "resources" as passive aggressive and a tad bit sarcastic.
I only mentioned the type of area I live in because I want to make sure things go where they are needed and not to someone who just likes a bargain. As for my resources, I am very short on time and don't have the petrol money to be driving around from place to place. Ideally I would like to take everything to one place and know that they are going to make sure it goes to the right people.
I will find out if there is a WA shelter nearby - I knew that they had charity shops but didn't realise you could donate items to be used by women and children seeking shelter.

And I only mentioned your affluent area and limited resources to point out that just because its an affluent area, doesn't mean there's not charities around and resources to point out that some charities will pick up. I thought I was giving helpful advice.
If you took it as sarcastic and passive aggressive, I think that's more of a you problem than a me one. I can only be responsible for what I say and mean, not how you choose to interpret. You're coming across a tad defensive, imo

Toiletries - your local food bank or if you have one, a hygiene bank. Ours has a collection point in Boots.

The rest try Salvation Army, your local refuge,a local church or perhaps your local council (ours has a toy appeal every year)

That was so lovely to hear , made me shed a tear . I’m pleased you got away from that abusive relationship. Have another Happy Christmas 🎄

Ovio, freecycle, food and other banks eg baby banks, womens aid

By complete and utter coincidence I have just met a lovely Ukrainian family who are moving into a flat about 45 minutes away from us. They have hardly anything so I have said that I will sort out all of our stuff and that can choose anything that they would like

Google refugee charity plus your local
area and see what comes up. I funnel all my unwanted stuff (clothes, toys, books, baby equipment) to mine for their service users, who have very little and no recourse to public funds. Like you, I prefer giving stuff directly to those in need rather than giving to a charity shop to sell.

I knew your generosity would find the right people. What a beautiful thing to do for another family 💐

Thank you to those who wished me well. Its been 8 years, I have my home, my kids are thriving, and we aren't rich, but we are safe and happy where we are and have each other, everything we need, and, most importantly, we have our freedom. The most scary, and best, thing I ever did.