It can be a challenge to get kids to part with their old toys. Sure, they haven’t played with that train since the pre-pandemic times, but what if they suddenly get the urge six months from now and it’s gone? However, this time of year in particular, kids also embrace the spirit of giving. So if you’re dreading the influx of new toys when your house is already sinking under the weight of their existing ones, you can put their holiday excitement to good use—by suggesting they give a few old toys to Santa.
My husband and I decided early on that Santa would not be responsible for giving all the gifts to our son on Christmas morning. In our home, Santa fills the stocking and brings a couple of gifts; the rest of the gifts come from us. We decided to do it this way so we could explain to our son why it was still important to donate and help others in need at Christmastime.
“Maybe some parents can’t afford to get the extra gifts like we’re able to,” we’d say. “This will help them give their kids a little extra, too.” It seemed like a balance between allowing him to experience the magic of believing in Santa while still making it clear that not everyone has as much as he does.
And this year, perhaps more than any other year, kids have had an up-close look at sacrifice and struggle. Chances are good that they, like the rest of us, want to help, want to give, and want to feel like they can make a difference.
So task each child with finding two or three gently used toys, games, or books they can part with. Have them place the items, unwrapped, under the tree with a note for Santa that says he can take them and add them to another child’s stash of gifts. They’re being a bit of a Santa themselves, actually. (Plus, knowing they’re about to get a fresh batch of toys will take the sting out of letting a few of the old ones go.)
Then, to make good on your word, stash those toys away until you can get them to a child in need—donate them to a local shelter, give them away for free on Facebook Marketplace, or reach out to local daycare centers or libraries to see where those toys and books might find new life.
This story was originally published in December 2018 and was updated on December 23, 2020 to provide updated information and to align the content with current Lifehacker style.