12 Things You’ll Be Glad You Donated Before the New Year

By the time Christmas is over, you’ve got new toys, new clothes, and maybe a few new kitchen gadgets. If nothing leaves when all that comes in, your house starts feeling tighter fast. Donating a few things before the New Year doesn’t just clear space—it makes January feel less heavy.

You don’t have to empty your house. Start with the stuff you already know you’re done with. These are the things most people don’t miss for a second once they’re gone.

1. Clothes That Never Leave the Hanger

Everyone has pieces that get passed over every single time they get dressed. They’re not your style, not your size, or not comfortable.

Pull them out and be honest. If you wouldn’t pack it for a weekend trip or reach for it on a normal day, it’s a good donation candidate. Someone else might actually wear it, and you get closet space back immediately.

2. Shoes That Hurt Every Time

If you dread wearing a pair of shoes, they’re not really serving you. Blister-makers, wobbly heels, and boots that never quite fit right are easy wins for the donate pile.

You’ll be surprised how much cleaner your entry and closet feel once those are gone. Keeping the pairs that truly work makes getting ready simpler in the new year.

3. Kitchen Gadgets You Forgot You Owned

That avocado slicer, single-use chopper, or novelty pan you’ve used once can quietly eat up an entire drawer.

Open your kitchen drawers and pull out anything you haven’t used in a year or more. If it isn’t sentimental or genuinely useful, it can go to someone who might actually put it to work.

4. Duplicate Water Bottles and Travel Mugs

Most families have more cups, bottles, and travel mugs than they could use in a week. The cabinet ends up overflowing, and you still grab the same two.

Choose your favorites and count how many you truly need in rotation. The rest can be cleaned and donated. You’ll gain a whole shelf back with almost no effort.

5. Toys Your Kids Don’t Play With Anymore

Once Christmas is over, old toys that were already ignored move even further down the list. Instead of fighting to store them, send them on.

Involve older kids if you can: “Let’s pick a few things to share with other kids.” For babies and toddlers, you can decide. Keeping the toys they actually enjoy makes your house feel more manageable.

6. Books You Didn’t Like (and Won’t Reread)

There’s no rule that you have to keep books you didn’t enjoy or won’t open again. They’re not trophies; they’re tools.

Pull the ones you’re neutral about or actively disliked. Donate them to a thrift store, school sale, or free library. Make room on your shelves for books you love or new ones you’re excited to read.

7. Extra Blankets and Comforters You Never Use

Linen closets fill up fast with old bedding. If you’re constantly shoving blankets in and slamming the door, it’s time to thin them out.

Keep a sensible number for your beds and a few extras for guests. Anything threadbare, musty, or untouched for years can go. Your closet will feel three times bigger.

8. Decor That Never Really Fit

We all have pieces we bought on sale or inherited that never found a true home. They get shuffled from room to room and always look a little out of place.

Instead of forcing them to work another year, pass them along. You’ll feel lighter walking through your house when every piece earns its spot.

9. Old Workout Gear and Equipment

Dusty dumbbells, resistance bands you don’t use, or a random piece of equipment shoved in a corner can make you feel guilty more than anything.

Decide what style of movement you actually enjoy. Keep what supports that and donate the rest. It’s easier to start fresh in January with tools you’ll use instead of a pile that nags at you.

10. Craft Supplies for Projects You’ve Abandoned

If you have a bin of yarn, fabric, or supplies for a hobby you’ve mentally checked out of, be honest with yourself. The clutter and guilt aren’t helping.

Pick one or two projects you truly still want to finish and keep only what you need for those. Donate the rest to a school, church, or neighbor. It frees up space and mental energy.

11. Holiday Items That Stayed in the Tote

If certain Christmas pieces never came out this year, that’s a sign. You probably won’t miss them next year either.

As you put decor away, set aside anything you skipped or felt lukewarm about. Donate that box now instead of repacking it. Next December will feel easier when you’re only pulling out pieces you actually like.

12. Storage Bins That Only Hold Clutter

Empty bins and baskets tend to collect random things that don’t have a real home. Keeping fewer containers forces you to decide what actually deserves space.

Consolidate what you’re keeping and see what’s left. Donate bins and baskets you no longer need. Your house will feel less like a storage unit and more like a place you live in on purpose.