It’s hard for me to believe, but my oldest son is only one foot away from being as tall as I am. Since he’s just nine years old, I have a feeling he’ll be towering over me as an adult! Pulling out my boys’ shorts and t-shirts after a long winter is always an instant indicator of just how much they’ve both grown. And while I always celebrate the season by buying one or two new pieces of clothing for my boys, I don’t want to spend money on a whole new wardrobe…especially considering how fast kids grow!
That’s why I love these three tips on making the most of hand-me-downs. They’re perfect for ensuring your kids always have great-looking clothes without the high cost!
1. Host a Clothing Swap
Gather all your friends and have a clothes swap. Everybody can bring their kid’s old clothes that they have either outgrown or are simply tired of. It gives you and your friends the chance to catch-up and socialize while refreshing your kids’ wardrobe and saving money. Pro Tip: Gather your friends who wear the same size as you do for a clothes swap of your own!
2. Keep it in the Family
At the end of every season, have your children pack away any clothes that are getting too small for them. Label the box with the date and season so in a few years, when your next child is ready for a new outfit, you know exactly where to find them. Make sure to wash everything before you store it away, so that it is clean and fresh when you pull it out of storage. Pro Tip: OxiClean Foam Pre-treat rids your children’s clothes of tough dried on stains – even grease!
3. Embrace the Bold Colours
Fun, bright and colourful spring clothes can lose their vibrancy quickly during the year – making it hard to pass them on. The right laundry detergent can go a long way in caring for clothes. Pro Tip: Upgrade from ordinary detergents and give your kids clothes a high definition clean with OxiClean HDTM Laundry Detergent (available in liquid and paks). It will ensure your whites stay radiant and your colours vibrant.
Having two boys means that a lot of clothing can go from one to the other, so keeping items in good shape is a must. And every dollar I save on clothing means extra money for fun activities wearing clothes that look like new! What’s your favourite way to minimize kids’ clothing costs?
When my youngest son outgrows his clothes, I hand them down to his cousin. I would love to host a clothing swap for my own clothes with my friends. Problem is sizing. We are not the same size.