Making The Most Of Hand-Me-Downs And Second-Hand Finds For Your Kids

Published on: 21 February 2024 Last Updated on: 12 September 2024

If you have kids, you know how expensive it can be to buy them new clothes, toys, books, and other items. Kids grow fast, and their tastes and preferences change often. Buying everything new can put a strain on your budget and create a lot of waste.

That’s why many parents opt for hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for their kids. Hand-me-downs are items that are passed down from older siblings, relatives, or friends. Second-hand finds are items that are bought or acquired from thrift stores, garage sales, online platforms, or other sources.

Keep on reading to learn more…

How to Make the Most Out of Hand-Me-Downs?

In the era of fast fashion and quickly outgrown children’s clothes, buying everything new can get very expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for savvy parents to cut costs by making use of hand-me-downs and second-hand items. Read on for tips on how to source, care for, and refresh these gems for your little ones.

Here are some of the tips that you can use to make the most of the hand-me-downs:

Sort and Store

One of the first things you must do is sort and store your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds properly. This will help you keep track of what you have, what you need, and what you can pass on to others.

Sort your items by size, season, and category. For example, you can have separate bins or boxes for winter clothes, summer clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, books, etc. Label them clearly and keep them in a dry and clean place.
Store your items in a way that preserves their quality and prevents damage. For example, you can use vacuum-sealed bags, plastic containers, or cedar chests to protect your items from dust, moisture, insects, and mold. You can also use hangers, dividers, or organizers to keep your items neat and tidy.
Check your items regularly and get rid of anything that is stained, torn, worn out, or outdated. You can donate, sell, or recycle your unwanted items or use them for crafts or other purposes.

Mix and Match

Another thing you need to do is to mix and match your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds with your kids’ existing wardrobe and preferences. This will help you create some fun and stylish outfits for your kids and make them feel comfortable and confident in their clothes. You should try to mix and match:

Colors, patterns, and textures. For instance, you can pair a solid-colored shirt with a floral dress or a plaid skirt with a denim jacket. You can also mix and match different fabrics, such as cotton, wool, silk, or leather. This will add some variety and interest to your kids’ outfits.
Styles and trends. For example, you can combine a vintage sweater with a modern pair of jeans, or a classic dress with a trendy pair of sneakers. You can also mix and match different genres, such as casual, formal, sporty, or bohemian. This will give your kids some personality and flair in their outfits.
Accessories and details. For example, you can add a belt, a scarf, a hat, or a necklace to your kids’ outfits. You can also add some buttons, patches, stickers, or pins to your kids’ clothes. This will give your kids some fun and creative touches in their outfits.

Customize and Personalize

The last thing you must do is customize and personalize your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for your kids. This will help you make your items fit better, look better, and feel better for your kids. It will also help you express your kids’ individuality and uniqueness.

Customize your items to fit your kids’ size and shape. For example, you can hem, alter, or resize your items to make them fit your kids better. You can also add some elastic, buttons, or snaps to your items to make them more adjustable and comfortable.
Customize your items to suit your kids’ style and taste. For example, you can dye, bleach, or paint your items to change their color or pattern. You can also cut, rip, or distress your items to give them some edge or character.
Personalize your items to reflect your kids’ interests and hobbies. For example, you can embroider, applique, or print your items with your kids’ names, initials, or monograms. You can also decorate your items with your kids’ favorite characters, animals, or symbols.

Sourcing Quality Second-hand Pieces

You can uncover great used pieces from friends and family, charity shops, and online marketplaces. When accepting offers of hand-me-downs, don’t feel you need to take everything you’re given. Politely decline items that are overly worn or stained, and only keep pieces that are still in good condition.

For second-hand shopping, hit up charity shops in more affluent neighbourhoods where higher quality kit is often donated. Check items thoroughly for flaws and be selective in your purchases. Online, sites like eBay, Depop and Vinted offer everything from babygrows to bikes being sold on by other parents, helping you make the most of your budget or fostering allowance.

Caring for Hand-Me-Downs

To maximise the longevity of hand-me-downs and second-hand items, properly launder and care for them before passing them on to your little one. Check clothing labels and wash items according to fabric type. Mend any small holes, broken zippers or loose buttons.

For items like bikes or baby gear, inspect them thoroughly and replace any worn parts. Give everything a thorough cleaning to remove grime and make sure pieces are fresh for their new owner.

Refreshing & Repurposing Finds

Sometimes second-hand stuff just looks, well, second-hand. Luckily there are inexpensive ways to give things new life. For clothes, accessories and soft toys, a spot clean followed by a wash in Oxiclean or similar can freshen up fabrics.

Embellish with ribbons, embroidered patches or appliqués to add decorative flair. Turn that dull vest into a one-of-a-kind piece your child will love. Repurpose old pieces too – vintage babygrows make adorable doll clothes, and adult t-shirts can be made into dresses.

Making Second-hand Finds Feel Special

Hand-me-downs and pre-loved items often come with a history. Share what you know about an item’s origins with your little one – they’ll love having their own “special story” attached to their clothes and toys.

Help them personalize pieces by adding custom touches like initials or fun fabric paint designs. And display their second-hand treasures proudly by letting them select special books or toys for their rooms. Soon these pre-used gems will hold pride of place in your child’s heart.

Additional Tips

Check items’ safety before passing to little ones – no small broken parts, frayed edges etc.
Store off-season clothing rotated with your child’s growth
Mix second-hand pieces with new ones in your child’s wardrobe
Pass pieces along to younger friends/family members when outgrown

Sourcing and caring for pre-loved items takes a bit more effort than just popping out for new gear. But with some time and creative vision, you can kit out your kids in great finds without breaking the bank. And by giving their clothes and toys a history, you’ll add an extra layer of love.

Bottom Line

Hand-me-downs and second-hand finds can be a great way to save money, reduce waste, and give your kids some unique and quality items. However, they can also pose some challenges, such as finding the right size, style, and condition for your kids. By following these tips and tricks, you can make the most of hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for your kids.

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Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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10 Things to Do Before You Move Out of State

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10 Helpful Kid Closet Organization Hacks

Every parent knows how hard it is to keep their kid's room clean. In a matter of minutes, a perfectly clean space and be destroyed by little hands. This applies to closets as well. But the good news is there are things you can do to keep your child's closet more organized. We've gathered the top 10 helpful kid closet organization hacks you can try out at home. Check them out below! 1. Start with the Essentials : When doing any sort of home or DIY project, you have to make sure you have all the supplies you need. This totally applies when it comes to kid closet organization. The good news is that you don't have to spend a lot of time creating or assembling things. Most of these items are available at local stores and are simple to implement. Here's a basic list of things you may need: Kid-sized hangers (Adult ones are too big and will lead to disorganization) A hamper Storage baskets Drawer inserts Hooks for the wall Shelf dividers Head to your local home decor store and you will be on your way to complete closet organization. 2. Utilize Storage Bins : Another kid closet organization hack is to add extra storage. As you've dealt with your child's closet, you probably have noticed that there's not enough storage space. This is a common problem. But there are many solutions! The biggest thing is choosing what kind of storage solution that you need. Do you have young children who can't reach their hangers? Or do your kids have a lot of toys and nowhere to keep them? Perhaps you have two kids sharing one closet. No matter what, adding storage is your solution. Here are some potential options: Bins Baskets Extra wire shelves Rubbermaid containers 3. Have a Designated Place for Shoes : Have you ever walked into your kid's room and found pair after pair of little shoes lying around on the floor? This is a common frustration for many parents. One way to solve this problem is to have a designated place for shoes in your little one's closet. You could have a specific basket on the floor of their closet that your kids can easily access. Another way to organize their shoes is to have a specific shelf that they can reach that is for shoes only. 4. Develop a Hanging System : It can be hard for kids to pick out clothes when there is no organization system in place. One way to fix this problem is to come up with a hanging system. One idea is to hang them by category. You can split things up according to these styles: Short sleeve shirts Long sleeve shirts Tank tops Dress shirts Dresses Shorts Pants Pajamas And any other categories they have You could also coordinate them by color if this system is too complicated. Either way, this is a great kid closet organization hack. Your kids will know exactly where to put their clothes, whether they're Nicki's Gucci for kids or their pajamas. 5. Another Kid Closet Organization Hack: Go Vertical : Some closets are so small or are so packed already that there's no room for extra shelves or bins. In this case, consider going vertical with your storage. One great way to do this is to utilize the door. Pick up an inexpensive shoe organizer that hangs on the back of the door. This can be used to store a variety of things, including shoes, clothes, and toys. If you have a baby, you could keep diapers, wipes, or onesies in a shoe organizer as well. And the best part is that you're not taking up any shelf space with it! 6. Label it All : With so many bins and baskets, it can be hard to keep things straight. That's why labeling is a great idea. If you have a label maker, this is super easy. Just create different ones for toys, shirts, pants, etc. If you don't have a label maker, that's totally fine as well! You can create them just using paper. Then just glue or pin the labels to each storage container. This will make your life much simpler! 7. Double Your Hanging Space : Many apartments and homes only have one closet rod and, usually, it's up high. For little ones, these are often impossible to reach. That's where closet doubler rods come in handy. You can install them below the normal rod and they're not that hard to do. Having this means your kids can reach their clothes easier but it also doubles their amount of hanging space. 8. Color Coordinate Bins : If your kids can't read yet, labels will do very little to help them organize. Instead, consider color-coordinating their storage bins. For example, red could be for books, blue could be for toys, and yellow could be for shoes. Whatever you decide to do as far as colors, help your child understand the difference between the various containers. 9. Keep Two Extra Containers in Their Closet : If you're like most parents, you have a lot of clothes for your child. Some they have outgrown and others they haven't grown into yet. These can cause a lot of clutter in your kid's closet if you're not careful. That's why it's a great idea to always keep 2 large containers, one for each category. That way it's all organized. This is especially great if you have more than one child. This makes organizing hand me downs much easier. 10. Stop Sibling Fights : Did you know that the average pair of siblings fight or argue 3.5 times every single hour? As a parent, you want to do everything you can to stop this from happening! One great way is through keeping their closet organized. If you have kids that share a closet, divide the space. Make a clear division between their clothes to avoid unnecessary contention. Final Thoughts : Now that you've read through these closet organization hacks, it's time to implement them! Choose your favorites and try them out. Have questions? Feel free to contact us. Want to discover more parenting hacks? Check out our blog! Read Also : 10 Effective Homework Tips For Your Kids Things Every Employee Ought To Know About Medical And Family Leaves

Signs that You’re Going to Marry the Right Person

We hope that you will find the person that you will spend the rest of your life with - somebody who will build a family with you. You should marry someone who has a vision for the future. You take enough time to get to know each other before you decide to settle down. Even then, you’re still uncertain if you have a keeper on your hands. Sometimes you do whatever you like, and other times you do...what the other person wants. That is part of being in a strong relationship. However, you also required to spend time doing something that you both enjoy doing mutually. Whether that's traveling, wine tasting, binge-watching your preferred TV series, or even working unitedly, this is one of the most powerful, and simple, signs that you are joined to the right person. There are a few things that you should know before you marry someone. There are many signs that you married the wrong person. You need to consider these things to know if you have someone who deserves to tie the knot with you. You have the same views about starting a family Before, it wasn’t an issue. People got married because they wanted to start a family. These days, some couples just want companionship. Having kids isn’t a priority. Therefore, if it’s a big deal for you to have kids, you shouldn’t marry someone firm in not having any. The issue will keep coming up and will be a source of unnecessary fights. You might have different parenting styles and views, but you can deal with them easily. If you differ significantly about the idea of having kids, it’s a different story. You understand each other’s quirky attitudes You will always have a negative aspect that most people find annoying. Or You tend to hide it at first, especially if you're into someone. However, at some point, that side will get revealed. If it's not a deal-breaker for your partner, it's a sign that you're compatible. Some people might say that a good partner will help you change. The truth is that you also need someone who tolerates you and accepts you for who you are. If you want to change, it needs to be on your terms and not because your partner told you to do so. Between things like job and your kids, you don't regularly have the time to make your spouse a preference. When you're with the best person, though, that's not the crisis. It could be utterly saying "I love you," cleaning the vessels after dinner or getting them to that new restaurant they've been craving to try out. The person has dreams and ambitions No matter how crazy these dreams are, it’s good to know that you’re going to marry someone who has a vision for the future. You can’t settle down with a person who is already happy with the status quo. Even You can’t allow yourself to get derailed by someone who has no plans in life. You also don’t want to put all your dreams on hold because you have a partner who doesn’t seem to care. Even the greatest connection can end in a break up due to financial discords and matters. You should both be on the equal page when it befalls to your financial purposes, such as how much cash you need to live a joyful and stress-free life and how you're working to save for solitude. However, there are endless-term dreams and ambitions that you should share. For example, if you want to have children but your partner doesn't, that could have dangerous implications for your wedding. Having dreams and ambitions in our life is very important for both partners. You can see your future to a great extent through dreams and ambitions. A person who has dreams and ambitions is the right person for you and you can trust him/her throughout your life. You can be honest with this person Honesty is the foundation of every relationship. Without honesty, it means there's a lack of trust. If you've been together for several years and you still can't trust your partner, it means your relationship won't work out. If you already lie now, it could get even worse later. You should get out of the relationship if it's something that forces you to be who you're not or to keep how you truly feel inside. I think honesty is the MOST important thing for a relationship to last and grow. It is a reason for everything else and is significant in all areas of a couples’ life unitedly. It is necessary when discussing and making judgments about children, finances, work, and cultural life, everything else is fractionable and unstable. These are only some indications that you have found the one. It doesn’t mean you will stay together forever, but you can at least feel confident that you’re heading in the right direction. You can now start the wedding plans. Don’t forget to hire Omaha wedding photographers and capture every aspect of the wedding. Read Also: How To Get Copy Of A Divorce Decree 3 Tips For An Amazing Wedding Reception 5 Reasons Why Girls Should Propose To Boys How To Get Maximal Value From Your Couples Therapy

Making The Most Of Hand-Me-Downs And Second-Hand Finds For Your Kids