Families declutter earlier than Christmas as youngsters hoard unopened toys
A new survey has found that children have an average of eight unopened toys from past birthdays and Christmases
A fresh survey found that seven out of 10 parents confess their kids have unopened toys gathering dust.
The study, which polled 1,000 parents with children aged between three and 10, discovered that youngsters have an average of eight untouched toys, half of which are still in their original packaging. With many reckoning they could be worth £90.
For many households, a handful of favourite toys rule the roost, with 37% of parents observing their children tend to snub the rest. On top of this, 33% report their kids spend more time glued to screens than playing with toys, resulting in many gifts being left unopened.
Now, with Christmas just around the corner, a whopping 80% of parents are planning a toy clear-out to make room for the new ones expected on December 25.
Of these, most parents (63%) aim to donate the unused toys to charity, while half intend to hand them down to younger kids within their family or circle of friends.
Encouraging Generosity at Christmas
This research was carried out by Skipton Building Society as part of its festive charity toy collection.
Teaming up with charities like Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, Skipton branches all over the UK are welcoming donations of unopened toys to support children in need.
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Dilly Carter, the professional organiser from the telly show Sort Your Life Out, has dished out some handy advice to help parents declutter before the festive season.
She recommends getting the kids involved by presenting it as an opportunity to “find new homes” for toys they’ve outgrown, and sorting stuff into keep, donate, and recycle piles.
“Decluttering before Christmas is the perfect way to make room for new gifts and give your child a fresh start in the new year,” Carter advised.
Parents are finding it tricky to pick out the perfect Christmas pressies for their little ones. As 40% confess it’s tough to find toys that will genuinely delight their kids, with many complaining that their children’s interests flip too quickly.
Over a third grapple to find something their kids will stick with, while 30% aim for toys that strike a balance between fun and educational. Regardless, parents anticipate snapping up an average of seven new toys this year, splashing out £143 on presents for under the tree and in stockings.
Getting Into the Giving Mood
The survey also revealed that a whopping 73% of parents plan to lend a helping hand to mates and family who might be having a rough time this Christmas. Nearly half (48%) will give thoughtful gifts, while 47% will pass on spare items they no longer need.
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Moreover, 69% intend to make a charitable donation this Christmas, with toys (51%), clothing (51%), and food (46%) topping the list of contributions.
Helen McGinity, the chief at Skipton Building Society for financial advice distribution, gushed: “It’s heartwarming to see families embracing the spirit of giving, not just through what they share, but by teaching their kids the vital lesson of helping those less fortunate.”
She added: “We’re delighted to play a small part in facilitating this by opening up our branches nationwide to collect new toys for charities, supporting children this Christmas and making a real difference this festive season.”
Dilly Carter’s Top Decluttering Tips
- Get your child involvedFrame the sorting process as a chance to “find new homes” for unused toys, making it a positive activity that teaches generosity.
- Use the one-in, one-out ruleFor every new toy arriving at Christmas, donate or recycle one older toy to keep clutter in check.
- Sort with purposeCreate three piles: keep, donate, and recycle. This system ensures toys are reused or disposed of responsibly.
- Start smallBegin with one drawer or cupboard to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Tackling smaller spaces first builds momentum for bigger tasks.
- Focus on the positivesHighlight benefits like making space for new toys and helping other children enjoy the unused ones.
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