While we were gone, spring sprung in full force across the south. My allergies are a testimony to that. Really, having a terrible allergic reaction to pollen (oh, and CB had an asthma attack, too) was the only downer to spring break. Because of the nice weather, though, I realized that CB hardly had any warm weather clothes that fit. So, this morning I was browsing the sales at one of my favorite kids' stores that rhymes with Mildren's Mace. They had a lot of cute stuff, but I balked at $12 "sale" shorts. I wasn't sure if I had already combed through Tucker's old clothes that I stored in the attic. Up to the attic I went to check. And I scored.
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| Pile o' attic clothes with a super cute redheaded model. |
I had saved more than I remembered. I mean, I saved most of Tucker's baby stuff, but as he got bigger, not everything he wore was worth saving due to stains and heavy wear. But, there were plenty of 2T and 3T shirts, shorts, PJ's, etc. up there. I even had saved a pair of crocs that I had forgotten about! That was a blessing because a lot of times I gave away outgrown shoes if a friend could use them. I figure I saved myself at least $150 by storing these clothes. (Well, the stuff was moved from NY to AL, so you have to figure that cost something, but we didn't pay for our move... so free for me.) And that was just one bin. There are probably 8 bins of clothing up there.
I also noticed that this sized stuff was better in terms of style, compared to some of Tucker's smaller things. I guess I started getting better taste around 2T! Anyhow, a few other scores beyond the standards: cute big boy undies which CB desperately needs, an unused pack of pull ups, some hand made PJ's and t-shirts, and a sweet little bucket hat.
[Oh one more note about why it works for us to save clothes... both of my kids were born in September and they both are boys!]
Anyone else save their kids' clothes? How do you decide what to keep? What do you do with the stuff you get rid of? One other thing I do with old clothes... I am saving scraps of a few special pieces of clothing for t-shirt quilts for the kids, once I have enough squares.
Yes, I used to save almost everything. But now I have a system. I save the things I like of Annabelle's that are not too worn. The things I don't really like seeing over and over again or did not really fit her well, I get rid of or give away. I used to buy or have too many things for her, so over the years, I've pared down what I keep for Lisabeth. I know, for example, that her grandparents will buy her some new things and I will to on occasion.
ReplyDeleteI used to save Elijah's clothing, but now as soon as he is finished with it, I either throw it away as it is too worn out or put it up to consign immediately upon season changes.
For Lisabeth's old things, they are usually 2nd hand (consigned so who knows maybe 3rd or 4th hand), I have a pile to throw away, a pile to give away, one to give to my sister, and one to consign (occasionally). Essentially I only save Annabelle's stuff now. God may lead us to foster or adopt, but for now I am not saving up for those things.
It is good to learn what to save (which comes with time) because it can get too tedious and you could run out of storage space very easily if for example one child already had more than enough clothing items, as was in the case of my first.
I forgot to mention, I also save very few special outfits to give to each child when they are adults, for their kids. A t-shirt quilt could also be done with these items.