Comments on: Creative ways to get rid of clutter http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Sat, 26 May 2012 22:44:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Ocho Cinco http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-27160 Ocho Cinco Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:39:07 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-27160 I'd send it back to them as a house warming gift. I’d send it back to them as a house warming gift.

]]> By: Gabrielle http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-20325 Gabrielle Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:26:13 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-20325 A friend and I did something similar to this when we were packing up our dorm rooms before our college graduation. A person can accumulate a lot of stuff over four years of college (free giveaways from the campus bookstore, prank birthday presents, duplicate flatware and plates). For us, it was not practical or cost effective to pack up every little trinket, but a lot of it was still useful for a current student. So, we put together all of these miscellaneous items in a big box, and put it away in summer storage for two rising sophomores to open when they returned to school the following fall... sort of a surprise goodie box. I received an e-mail from the girls that August, and they said they found a few useful things in the box, and tossed the rest. For my friend and I, it was a great way of passing on our college memories to the "next generation." The two girls were able to better judge what was no longer useful (just things my friend and I were too emotionally attached to), and still got a few helpful dorm room items to play with! A friend and I did something similar to this when we were packing up our dorm rooms before our college graduation. A person can accumulate a lot of stuff over four years of college (free giveaways from the campus bookstore, prank birthday presents, duplicate flatware and plates). For us, it was not practical or cost effective to pack up every little trinket, but a lot of it was still useful for a current student.

So, we put together all of these miscellaneous items in a big box, and put it away in summer storage for two rising sophomores to open when they returned to school the following fall… sort of a surprise goodie box.

I received an e-mail from the girls that August, and they said they found a few useful things in the box, and tossed the rest. For my friend and I, it was a great way of passing on our college memories to the “next generation.” The two girls were able to better judge what was no longer useful (just things my friend and I were too emotionally attached to), and still got a few helpful dorm room items to play with!

]]> By: Ellis Godard http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19695 Ellis Godard Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:04:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19695 We've donated clothing and household items to charity for decades, but only in sporadic bursts of weeding out a closet here or there. Now, we keep a large plastic bin in the garage for that purpose. It's much easier to weed something when there's always a chance (rather than a few times per year), when it's only one item at a time (rather than a pile), and when it's only going about 30 feet away (for now). The bin fills faster that semi-annual piles ever did, and we're donating as much each month as we used to every 6 months! We’ve donated clothing and household items to charity for decades, but only in sporadic bursts of weeding out a closet here or there.

Now, we keep a large plastic bin in the garage for that purpose. It’s much easier to weed something when there’s always a chance (rather than a few times per year), when it’s only one item at a time (rather than a pile), and when it’s only going about 30 feet away (for now). The bin fills faster that semi-annual piles ever did, and we’re donating as much each month as we used to every 6 months!

]]> By: Jane http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19669 Jane Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:05:22 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19669 Urggh - this reminds me of my husbands parents. They give us all this sentimental rubbish (encyclopedias, amateur paintings etc) that "was grannys wonderful painting" or "pop wanted you to have the knowledge books", meaning we should treasure it and they will be horrified if we chuck it out. Of course, now they no longer have the prob of it taking up their space... Oh it annoys me so much! Urggh – this reminds me of my husbands parents. They give us all this sentimental rubbish (encyclopedias, amateur paintings etc) that “was grannys wonderful painting” or “pop wanted you to have the knowledge books”, meaning we should treasure it and they will be horrified if we chuck it out. Of course, now they no longer have the prob of it taking up their space…
Oh it annoys me so much!

]]> By: Christine in DC http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19654 Christine in DC Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:04:43 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19654 I love the clutter pimp party idea! My family and I have a white elephant yankee gift swap each year for Christmas, which is a lot of fun. I find taking pictures of my sentimental objects helps me get rid of them. I recently gave away some silly things I'd been carrying around in boxes for years, including: a pokey and gumby, a stuffed lobster, some magnets...I was going to continue this list, but I forget! That's how it works! I love the clutter pimp party idea!

My family and I have a white elephant yankee gift swap each year for Christmas, which is a lot of fun.

I find taking pictures of my sentimental objects helps me get rid of them. I recently gave away some silly things I’d been carrying around in boxes for years, including: a pokey and gumby, a stuffed lobster, some magnets…I was going to continue this list, but I forget! That’s how it works!

]]> By: barbara carlson http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19650 barbara carlson Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:02:21 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19650 Here's a decluttering GAME my partner and I invented. Every day at 7 PM -- for 30 days -- we went to our apartment floor trash shoot with the one item (each) we had chosen that day for "entry". I recorded them as a list-poem entitled Ode to Wabi Sabi. Sample entries: blank 1998 diary wooden snuff box (half full) bent UK National Health wire-rim glasses (no lenses) Lucille Ball tie font ball of ex-electric typewriter fashion mistake (blouse) magic decoder wheels eraserless pencil impenetrable magazine 1/2 box of hard, unflavoured gelatin Etc. Then we would ceremonially pitch them. Each item -- as it fell 22 stories -- would make a different sound. Some things fell straight into the dumpster at the bottom. Others took their time, banging the narrow metal shoot sides with satisfyingly off-beat drum rhythms. Bang.... Bang Bang...BANG... wait for it... THUD. The floor neighbors began to gather 'round each day to listen. The most transcendent effect was a clapped out desk lamp. We forgot to remove the bulb (or couldn't) and it shattered on entry, but it continued (in shards) to slowly fall in a lovely, giant "rain stick" way -- tinkling like audible fairy dust all the way down. Everybody applauded. Performance Art. Here’s a decluttering GAME my partner and I invented.

Every day at 7 PM — for 30 days — we went to our apartment floor trash shoot with the one item (each) we had chosen that day for “entry”.

I recorded them as a list-poem entitled Ode to Wabi Sabi.

Sample entries:

blank 1998 diary
wooden snuff box (half full)
bent UK National Health wire-rim glasses (no lenses)
Lucille Ball tie
font ball of ex-electric typewriter
fashion mistake (blouse)
magic decoder wheels
eraserless pencil
impenetrable magazine
1/2 box of hard, unflavoured gelatin
Etc.

Then we would ceremonially pitch them.
Each item — as it fell 22 stories — would make a different sound.
Some things fell straight into the dumpster at the bottom.
Others took their time, banging the narrow metal shoot sides
with satisfyingly off-beat drum rhythms.
Bang…. Bang Bang…BANG… wait for it…
THUD.

The floor neighbors began to gather ’round each day to listen.

The most transcendent effect was a clapped out desk lamp.
We forgot to remove the bulb (or couldn’t) and it shattered on entry,
but it continued (in shards) to slowly fall
in a lovely, giant “rain stick” way —
tinkling like audible fairy dust all the way down.

Everybody applauded.
Performance Art.

]]> By: Sandy http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19646 Sandy Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:12:14 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19646 I am inspired by this post and all of the comments. I have pulled out three gift bags and will fill them with stuff I have been keeping since my mother died 25 years ago. The macrame plant holder to my sister-in-law. Check. The large cocktail rings that I have never worm goes to my niece. Check. This will be great! I won't feel guilty about getting rid of them and they can do whatever with them. I am inspired by this post and all of the comments. I have pulled out three gift bags and will fill them with stuff I have been keeping since my mother died 25 years ago. The macrame plant holder to my sister-in-law. Check. The large cocktail rings that I have never worm goes to my niece. Check. This will be great! I won’t feel guilty about getting rid of them and they can do whatever with them.

]]> By: Chico http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19642 Chico Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:54:57 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19642 One rule I've followed with friends and family too who have problems with clutter. *Always* accept what they offer, no matter what it might be or how little you want it. Recycle or store in your trash bin immediately for next pick-up. May be the best gift you can give them. One rule I’ve followed with friends and family too who have problems with clutter. *Always* accept what they offer, no matter what it might be or how little you want it. Recycle or store in your trash bin immediately for next pick-up.
May be the best gift you can give them.

]]> By: Sue http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19611 Sue Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:03:27 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19611 Easy way to get rid of stuff----put it on your front lawn a big FREE sign. Stuff vanishes in hours! If you time it right with trash pickup day, whatever is left can be tossed in the can for the trash truck. We recycle many things to Goodwill, Salvation Army and a men's mission night shelter. My son's clothes that are in good shape go to a local elementary school for the principal to quietly give to kids needing clothing. Easy way to get rid of stuff—-put it on your front lawn a big FREE sign. Stuff vanishes in hours! If you time it right with trash pickup day, whatever is left can be tossed in the can for the trash truck.

We recycle many things to Goodwill, Salvation Army and a men’s mission night shelter. My son’s clothes that are in good shape go to a local elementary school for the principal to quietly give to kids needing clothing.

]]> By: Charity http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19601 Charity Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:08:22 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19601 We used to call this Clutter Pimping Parties.Our group of friends would get together at someones house and show off our stuff like Vanna White. Everyone giggled and we all got rid of the random clutter that was "awesome" to someone else. Anything that wasn't in a purse or designated bad was tossed with GREAT ceremony and pomp. We once even had a funeral for the random bag of scraps. We used to call this Clutter Pimping Parties.Our group of friends would get together at someones house and show off our stuff like Vanna White. Everyone giggled and we all got rid of the random clutter that was “awesome” to someone else. Anything that wasn’t in a purse or designated bad was tossed with GREAT ceremony and pomp. We once even had a funeral for the random bag of scraps.

]]> By: sm http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-2/#comment-19600 sm Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:13:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19600 I probably would have appreciated a note explaining the nature of this "parting gift" had I received one. But generally I think that it's important to support others and to receive support in uncluttering, which is reflected in some of the comments. Who expects to leave a going-away party empty handed anyway? As long as the contents of the box aren't dangerous, insulting, breathing or hard to dispose of, I'd take one for a friend. I probably would have appreciated a note explaining the nature of this “parting gift” had I received one. But generally I think that it’s important to support others and to receive support in uncluttering, which is reflected in some of the comments. Who expects to leave a going-away party empty handed anyway? As long as the contents of the box aren’t dangerous, insulting, breathing or hard to dispose of, I’d take one for a friend.

]]> By: Janet http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-1/#comment-19597 Janet Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:13:23 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19597 We do something similar. My father in-law cannot throw away things that 'might be of use to someone' - so, we take them, and honestly try to find someone to take whatever it is. And if not - into the dumpster it goes (we finally got a dumpster and share it with two other families). Also, just recently, I went through some old papers of mine from a previous chapter in my life and pulled the few things I really wanted to save, and then my husband did the actual tossing. Felt wonderful to know I didn't have to relive that chapter of my life to empty out a darn file drawer! We do something similar. My father in-law cannot throw away things that ‘might be of use to someone’ – so, we take them, and honestly try to find someone to take whatever it is. And if not – into the dumpster it goes (we finally got a dumpster and share it with two other families).

Also, just recently, I went through some old papers of mine from a previous chapter in my life and pulled the few things I really wanted to save, and then my husband did the actual tossing. Felt wonderful to know I didn’t have to relive that chapter of my life to empty out a darn file drawer!

]]> By: Ann http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-1/#comment-19592 Ann Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:23:42 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19592 Honestly, I've done this. After my mother died (suddenly) there boxes and boxes of stuff that my father wanted me to have and/or couldn't bear to have around and/or couldn't get rid of himself. Some of the stuff I couldn't use but also couldn't bear to toss or give to Goodwill. Finally, in desperation I asked my friend if she would take the items. I emphasized that it was fine for *her* to toss them or give them to Goodwill, etc. I just simply could not emotionally be the one to do it. I never asked her what she did with the stuff, she has never told me and I cannot even remember what I gave her. Even so, I suspect that if I hadn't given my "junk" to someone else, I would *still* have that stuff today. Honestly, I’ve done this. After my mother died (suddenly) there boxes and boxes of stuff that my father wanted me to have and/or couldn’t bear to have around and/or couldn’t get rid of himself. Some of the stuff I couldn’t use but also couldn’t bear to toss or give to Goodwill. Finally, in desperation I asked my friend if she would take the items. I emphasized that it was fine for *her* to toss them or give them to Goodwill, etc. I just simply could not emotionally be the one to do it.

I never asked her what she did with the stuff, she has never told me and I cannot even remember what I gave her.

Even so, I suspect that if I hadn’t given my “junk” to someone else, I would *still* have that stuff today.

]]> By: Susan http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-1/#comment-19591 Susan Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:23:53 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19591 I would NOT want friends to give me their unwanted junk. It's bad enough when friends gift you with stuff they bought but you can't use or don't like. If it was usable stuff that they just didn't want to haul, and they could match up the items with people who could use them or enjoy them, they would've been on to something! I would NOT want friends to give me their unwanted junk. It’s bad enough when friends gift you with stuff they bought but you can’t use or don’t like. If it was usable stuff that they just didn’t want to haul, and they could match up the items with people who could use them or enjoy them, they would’ve been on to something!

]]> By: Meghan http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/15/creative-ways-to-get-rid-of-clutter/comment-page-1/#comment-19590 Meghan Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:55:45 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=2455#comment-19590 A couple of friends of mine were in the middle of moving when another friend had a birthday party. When the birthday boy opened the present from them, there were about 20 mugs inside. We all had a good laugh. A couple of friends of mine were in the middle of moving when another friend had a birthday party. When the birthday boy opened the present from them, there were about 20 mugs inside. We all had a good laugh.

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