Is that too strong? Well, it's what WE are going to do anyway: CLEAN OUT THE COAT CLOSET!
It's something we can ALL do, no matter our financial circumstances. We can take a look in our coat closets and see if we have anything to spare. Maybe we do, maybe we don't. But I'll bet we could all stand to take a look in there and tidy up a bit.
My rule for us is going to be: It gets to stay if it's in good working order and will be used by my family with the next two years. Otherwise it goes.
St. Martin's Day is a great time to do necessary cleaning and repairs (why are all of our coats always put away filthy?) and be boldly generous with what we've got, because, odds are, there is someone who could really use our help.
I've been on a bit of a tear around here, as you may have noticed. I cleaned out my closet, cleaned it WAY out. And it's been great. Even though I made a fall wardrobe and it's consistently been in the nineties all week. Whew. At least I didn't put away all the short sleeves. (Have you cleaned your wardrobe out? Have you linked it up?)
I've also done the kids' closets. Blogging is forthcoming on that. But on Tuesday, November 11th, St. Martin's Day, I'm going to go through the coat closet and get that down to a reasonable number of items for us as well. We're going to get rid of duplicate sizes, and sizes we won't be using for the next couple years. And I'm going to give our extra coats to families who will be able to use them NOW.
Did you notice the background of my capsule wardrobe graphic? That's St. Martin of tours, cutting his cloak, to give half of it to a beggar.
We live in Southern California, of the aforementioned ninety degree weather in November. But I still have all the coats we had when we lived in Chicago.
I'm planning to go through and keep 3-4 for me, and no more than two per size for the kids, one light weight jacket and one heavier coat. (It WILL cool down enough for sleeves here at some point, and we go camping.) That should still give me quite a few to donate. Of course, giving away a whole coat, even many whole coats, when I still have a closet-full at home, isn't quite the same as giving away half of the only warmth you have. But, I figure it will be a good start.
I made the St. Basil quote printable, for inspiration!
And since it's a FEAST, after the cleaning out, we're going to have dessert.
We're also going to have dessert today, since November 10th is the Marine Corps Birthday, and you only turn 239 once.
With dessert, silly. Here's what Betty made for her dad last year:
For more FUN things to do for St. Martin's Day check out these posts . . .
From Molly Makes Do: Martinmas Hide and Seek
and Two Os Plus More: 7 Quick Ways to Celebrate Martinmas, the Feast of St. Martin of Tours
And have you heard about the new Advent Journal from Blessed is She?
Click here to learn more and order! All proceeds go to help with operational costs for Blessed Is She. Help US help you, ladies. :D
I've been on a bit of a tear around here, as you may have noticed. I cleaned out my closet, cleaned it WAY out. And it's been great. Even though I made a fall wardrobe and it's consistently been in the nineties all week. Whew. At least I didn't put away all the short sleeves. (Have you cleaned your wardrobe out? Have you linked it up?)
I've also done the kids' closets. Blogging is forthcoming on that. But on Tuesday, November 11th, St. Martin's Day, I'm going to go through the coat closet and get that down to a reasonable number of items for us as well. We're going to get rid of duplicate sizes, and sizes we won't be using for the next couple years. And I'm going to give our extra coats to families who will be able to use them NOW.
Did you notice the background of my capsule wardrobe graphic? That's St. Martin of tours, cutting his cloak, to give half of it to a beggar.
We live in Southern California, of the aforementioned ninety degree weather in November. But I still have all the coats we had when we lived in Chicago.
I'm planning to go through and keep 3-4 for me, and no more than two per size for the kids, one light weight jacket and one heavier coat. (It WILL cool down enough for sleeves here at some point, and we go camping.) That should still give me quite a few to donate. Of course, giving away a whole coat, even many whole coats, when I still have a closet-full at home, isn't quite the same as giving away half of the only warmth you have. But, I figure it will be a good start.
I made the St. Basil quote printable, for inspiration!
And since it's a FEAST, after the cleaning out, we're going to have dessert.
We're also going to have dessert today, since November 10th is the Marine Corps Birthday, and you only turn 239 once.
With dessert, silly. Here's what Betty made for her dad last year:
For more FUN things to do for St. Martin's Day check out these posts . . .
From Molly Makes Do: Martinmas Hide and Seek
and Two Os Plus More: 7 Quick Ways to Celebrate Martinmas, the Feast of St. Martin of Tours
And have you heard about the new Advent Journal from Blessed is She?
Click here to learn more and order! All proceeds go to help with operational costs for Blessed Is She. Help US help you, ladies. :D
