With the clocks turned back and the darker evenings settling in, a lot of homes in Stone are starting that quiet sort-out before Christmas. Old toys, books, coats that don’t fit anymore, they all begin to pile up somewhere.
Staff in the town’s charity shops say now’s the perfect time to pass a few bits on. They always see a rush of donations after Christmas, when cupboards are being cleared for the new year, but by then the chance to help someone find an affordable gift has already gone.
Most years, the same pattern shows up. Parents pop in during the last week before Christmas, hoping to pick up a bargain for their little ones, only to find the toy shelves nearly empty. Then, come January, the back rooms are full to bursting.
It makes sense really. Once the excitement of Christmas Day has passed, people finally find the time to tidy up. But if a few of those bags made it into the shops earlier, they’d go straight back into the community, helping another family just in time for Christmas.
One volunteer told us she’s already seen people coming in early looking for gifts. “Even a small batch of donations now makes a big difference,” she said. “When toys or warm jumpers come in before Christmas, they never stay on the shelves for long.”
It doesn’t take much. A child’s book that’s been read a dozen times, a jigsaw puzzle that’s been done once, a coat that’s sat on a peg for a year – it all helps. And with the number of good cause charity shops in Stone always grateful for clean, good-quality donations – there’s no shortage of places to drop them off.
If you’re planning a weekend clear-out, it might be worth doing it a week or two earlier this year. It’s a small gesture, but around here, those small gestures often count the most.
1 comment
Deborah
A fab article thank you.
We very much appreciate the support of our local community. Not only does this help local families, it also supports sustainability and on top it helps the charity to continue their fantastic work. It’s a win win