Not every gift can be spot-on this holiday season. Sometimes we receive duplicates of things we already have or things someone else gifted us first, sometimes we have way too many clothes already, and sometimes we simply just don't like a gift. Instead of making a mad dash to the mall this year to return your unwanted gift or shoving your unwanted gift away somewhere in the back of your closet, consider giving it away! Someone else could appreciate it.
Unwanted Clothes
If you already have one too many jackets or are making room for your new garments, consider donating new or old coats to One Warm Coat, a project that recognizes the basic human right that everyone is entitled to: to be warm and well-clothed.
On the other hand, Planet Aid has several bins dispersed throughout the country that work on two levels: Your extra clothes won't end up in landfills, and they want will be put to use. Recycle and donate your clothes to this organization in one of its 20,000 yellow bins, and they'll be repurposed, sending your donations to over 14 different countries.
Unwanted Candy
If you're trying to lose some excess weight and having candy around the house isn't ideal to reaching your goals, consider donating your sweets to the troops! Receiving a care package of sweets (and cards, if you're feeling up to it) allows those that couldn't come home for the holidays to join in a bit of the celebration. Plus, nothing says, "Thank you for your service," like a chocolate bar!
An Old Phone
If you received an upgraded phone as one of your gifts, don't let the old one go to waste! There is a multitude of different options to which your phone could be donated: give your old cell phone up for a soldier, raise money for victims of domestic violence by allowing your cell phone to be resold, or even trade in your recycled cell phone to benefit any of your favorite local organizations.
And if you aren't convinced by any of these charities or organizations, there's always your local Goodwill. The holiday times are the season of giving, and while we should keep those who might not have the same privileges as us in our minds always, the Christmas season is the perfect time to be reminded and act on these virtues. Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night!