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Check your items regularly and get rid of anything that is stained, torn, worn out, or outdated.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 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

10 Things to Do Before You Move Out of State

Relocating to a new state can be a lot of things—crazy, exciting, and stressful, to name a few. The good news is that with a little intentionality, you can mold your move into a positive, enjoyable life transition. Here are ten tips to consider before you pack your bags. 1. Make a bucket list: Life is busy. Chances are, there are places to see, food to eat, and things to do in your current state that you never got around to seeing, eating, or doing. Make a bucket list of a few of the things you think you’d regret if you moved away without experiencing. And then, make plans to make it happen. 2. Plan to say goodbye: Moving is stressful, and it can be easy to get up in the frenzy of your to-do list. But, to have a healthy sense of closure and positive feelings when you look back on a period in your life, it’s essential to make an effort to wrap things up well. And, relationships are the most crucial piece of the wrap-up puzzle. In addition to great friends, you’ve developed relationships with all kinds of others—e.g., your neighbors, your children’s teachers, and your yoga instructor. Make a list of these folks, and plan to say goodbye. A handwritten note might suit your style, or perhaps you’d prefer to throw a colossal bbq and invite everyone. Whatever feels right to you is the best way to say goodbye and honor the people who have played a part in your experience. 3. Make a list of wrap-up logistics: The best way to get your head around a million moving logistics is to make a good old-fashioned list. There are a million moving checklists online to get you started. Then, you can open a notebook or your laptop and make your custom list. We recommend a master task list with deadlines to keep you on track toward your big move. 4. Make moving arrangements: When are you leaving? Where are you going? How will you get your stuff there? These seem like obvious questions, but we recommend sitting down and thinking through every detail. Once you have your plan on paper (or screen), the actual moving will feel much less daunting. 5. Clutter clear: Moving states is not just a geographical location change; it’s a significant life transition. And, an excellent opportunity to assess the stuff you have and decide what you want to keep and what to leave behind. A good question to ask yourself when you look at an item in your house is, “Do I want to carry this into the future? Or, do I want to leave it in the past.” If your answer is yes to the former, pack it up. If it’s yes to the latter, donate it before you go. 6. Plan to make some changes: In addition to this time being an excellent opportunity to clutter clear your physical space, it’s also a time to make any necessary changes to your lifestyle. Think about any bad habits you want to “leave behind” and new ones that you want to have with you when you arrive at your new home. Relocating to a new state is a rare fresh start. It can give you an opportunity to reinvent yourself, and if you want to make the change even more seriously, you could even change your name. If you're relocating to California, there are services that allow you to legally change your name with no problems. However, you should do research on the laws of your state before undergoing this kind of process. 7. Learn about your soon-to-be new home: It can be fun to start learning about your new city early, so you can hit the ground running when you arrive. Think about what’s most important to your lifestyle and virtually explore the offerings near your new home. Whether you’re typing the words “Brisbane best butcher” or “hot yoga in Denver” into the search bar, you’ll be on your way to finding cool new spots to frequent in your new digs. 8. Make a new bucket list: Earlier, we mentioned that many of us get busy and forget to partake in all the unique experiences offered by a particular city or state. Avoid that by starting your bucket list early! Every time you get a restaurant suggestion or learn about a historical landmark that’s a must-visit, write it down! Then, you can refer back and never feel short of cool things to do. 9. Experience the honeymoon: Much like with new relationships, many of us experience a “honeymoon” period when we move to a new place. The possibilities are endless, and the future is bright. New experiences are making new chemicals flow, and you feel good. Plan to take advantage of this good energy and explore your surroundings. You’ll be setting a beautiful foundation for your time in your new city. 10. Remember to enjoy the ride: Above all, enjoy! Moving out of state marks an exciting time in your life—take full advantage of it. Read Also: The Five Most Important Things To Know Before Moving Make Your Vacation Less Stressful With The Following Tricks The Ultimate Moving Checklist – Things You Need To Do When Moving

Seven ways to Support Family and Friends with Special Needs

When parents decide to start their journey of parenthood, they hope that they will get and bring up a perfectly healthy child. However, many are the times when genetic defects, birth complications, injuries, and other problems get in the way, and differently gifted children are born. Not many people take the time needed to understand people with disabilities, and even fewer people are willing to go out of their way to offer them support. If you have family or friends with special needs, here are a few ways in which you can make them feel your love and support. 1. Talk to them: Not many people know this but whether it is at work, school, at home and in other social setups, the productivity of people with disabilities and those close to them depends a lot on the attitude of the general community towards them. If the community around a disabled person has formed a negative attitude and barriers to their inclusion, they end up withdrawing and doubting their capabilities. On the other hand, when they are made to feel included and accepted they blossomed. Parents of children who have disabilities admit that they like it when a stranger walks up to them in a park and shows genuine interest to learn about their child’s condition. What people appreciate the most are people who take time to ask specific questions. For instance, ask how the child’s physical therapy is going as opposed to asking something general or offering that supportive smiles. At times you will find that people with disabilities need a listening ear, and they appreciate it when you take time and pay attention to details about their lives. 2. Be aware of personal space: People with disabilities often use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and other items. What most people do not understand is that most view these aides as part of their personal space. When interacting with disabled people, you always have to respect their personal space. If for instance, you want to assist them in pushing their wheelchair, do not just grab and start pushing at it, ask them if it is okay to help them move from one point to the other, you can push the chair when they agree. The same applies to when you feel they need you to support them in standing up, sitting down or other movements. You can start by saying something like, “Here, let me help you,” and then wait for their consent. If they feel that you are patronizing them or treating them like they are completely helpless, they will push back and reject your help. 3. Be thoughtful: There is nothing that whispers support to a disabled person more than knowing that you thought about them before you made the plans that you have made. It means that if for instance, you planned a meeting, you made sure that the room was accessible via wheelchair and there are ramps and other relevant accessibility and support features. It is also important to always inform them about all the plans which you have made for the meetings and other get-together arrangements so they can prepare well in advance. 4. Treat them normally: One of the most difficult corners to navigate when dealing with people who have disabilities is learning how to interact with them without making them feel abnormal. Most people think that being sensitive to these people is about hiding the achievement of their normal kids and clapping when the disabled kid does something that is simple and normal. When interacting with disabled people, do not minimize yourself or your child’s achievements. Learn that the disabled kid might not do things like regular kids, but they still get things done, eventually. Treat them like just any other kid, and they will respond positively to this. 5. Do not try too much: Another mistake people make when interacting with disabled people is the need to know what to say and what to do at all times. The truth is that disabled people are just like everyone else. It is okay to have a slip of the tongue when interacting with them. It is alright to listen to them when they are telling you about their complications and tell them that you honestly do not know what to say. If you have no idea how to help them when they are at their weakest, it is still okay to sit with them and listen. Your presence is reassuring enough for them. 6. Go an extra mile in the extreme seasons: Disabled people tend to struggle a lot more than everyone else in. They have to cope with inaccessible sidewalks, flare-ups which are triggered by the low temperatures, chronic pain and other issues that result from being stuck at home too long. These are the things you can do to ease their discomfort during this season: Take food to them-it is possible that they will not access grocery stores and farmers markets Visit them and spend the time to end the feeling of loneliness and depression. Send them a message and genuinely ask how they are faring Help them around the house and help them shovel and salt their driveways. 7. Support their dreams: There is nothing that says love to a disabled person than when you genuinely support their work. People with disability wake up in the morning because they believe they can rise against the odds and make a difference. The least that you can do to make their world a little easier to manage is to support their dreams and their work. When they tell you they are having a talent show, be present and cheer them on. Buy their art, shop from their outlets and all other small gestures which will make them feel appreciated. These are just a few of the things that you could do to help people with disabilities. In case you interact with them and realize they may need counseling from professionals, you can reach out to Regional & Rural Toowoomba Psychologists. They are well equipped to offer the support needed to make the lives of people with disabilities simple. Read Also: Practical Ways To Help Your Elderly Parents 7 Interesting Gifts For Your Best Friends Ways To Emotionally Deal With Chronic Illness Tips For Throwing A Family Reunion People Will Remember For Years 8 Family Friendly Careers That Offer Great Pay And Work-Life Balance

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