Moving can be a hassle, whether you are moving across the country, across the state, or even just across the city. Usually most people move post college when it is much easier to move just a few possessions. However, once you’ve settled down with kids and have more worldly possessions moving becomes a little bit more of a hassle. When you are moving around it can be difficult to make temporary housing feel like home.

We understand how difficult it can be to feel comfortable and at home in your temporary

housing. We give you a few tips on how to handle temporary housing and make it feel like you live there all the time. Different tips on what to pack and what to store, buying candles, and different types of temporary housing we hope this helps you!

How to Turn Your Temporary Housing into Home

Depending how long you are looking to stay with temporary housing may depend on your reasons for moving. When you are in the process of moving most of your items are likely to stay in storageto avoid packing and unpacking so many times between housing. You are probably used to the amount of personal touches in your home which can make temporary housing feel even more foreign.

There are multiple items that you can be sure you leave unpacked from your storage items. Things like your favorite stuffed animal, your favorite book, and a pillow are all great things to keep with you during temporary housing to feel more at home. It is also very helpful to keep some photos out that you can easily hang up wherever you go. Whether you keep these in frames or laminate them and use putty to hang the photos of beloved memories help any house feel homier!

Another way in which you can make your temporary housing feel more like home is by purchasing a candle that has a scent of your home. Scent is linked to our memories transporting us back to specific times and places. You can also purchase flowers to brighten any room in your home. These are easy things to not worry about packing when you pick up and move again but give your temporary home good ambiance.

Finding time to settle into your usual routine will tell you if you feel like you’re home. If you can get comfy, kick off your shoes, and nap on the couch you can probably say it feels close to home. Start this by seeing if you can get into your kitchen routine. If there is a meal you can make better than anyone else this is the time to whip it out and cook! While you may be busy during your transitions avoid the temptation to eat out and keep some money in your wallet. Try cooking enough for the week so that you can focus on working, unpacking, and have meals prepared already!

There are different types of temporary housing you can rent or lease depending on how long you need to stay. Some types of housing include:

1.  Airbnb

One of the most popular ways to rent housing for a few months or even for vacation Airbnb is a great option for those looking for temporary housing! While it is more known as a hotel substitute for traveling there are certain houses that only rent for 30+ days. Airbnb provides great flexibility and often quick responses from the host. Although this can be a higher cost depending on the level of privacy you are looking for Airbnb provides great options.

2.  Month-to-Month Rentals

Month-to-month rentals and short-term lease apartments are nice because you are often able to bring in your own furniture – this means sleeping in your own bed for those few months! No different than any other apartment, but this time you are only here for a few months. Month-to-month rentals definitely make you feel as though you are at home but can be a hassle depending on how much you need to pack and unpack in-between moves.

3.  Subletting

Subletting is a great option for temporary housing. Often times the person looking to sublet their apartment for a few months is either renting out an entire apartment or their bedroom within their apartment. This can lead to having an apartment to yourself or with a few roommates which can be fun!

4.  Apartment Hotels

Also known as extended stay hotels this is a simple way to find already furnished temporary housing. Usually supplied with kitchens appliances, dishes, and utensils can give you quick and easy access to cooking. You also usually have options to use gyms, pools, and sometimes breakfasts. Depending on the area you are staying in it can also potentially be cheaper to stay at an apartment hotel.

5.  Friends and Family

Living with friends and family can be a great experience, but you must be sure there are boundaries set prior to moving in. You want to be sure you are not overstepping in someone’s home when they are helping you. However, often friends and family allow you to live for free which is a great money saver. You also already know your roommates and so it won’t be like moving in with new people entirely. Living with friends and family it is essential to go above and beyond as a house guest! Be sure to communicate and do whatever it is they may need help around the house with.

While temporary housing is not necessarily the easiest or most glamorous you can certainly make it feel like home. Just adding a few extra touches can help you to feel like your home for a little while! If you are in the process of moving and need a storage unit for a few months during your temporary housing contact us. Albuquerque Self Storagewill do our best to help find the right sized storage unit for you!

When making the decision to store some belongings in unit, you might come across a few worries. You might be thinking, “Will any of my things get damaged? How can I make sure that my stuff stays in good condition?” These are definitely reasonable uncertainties to have on your mind before putting your items in storage. However, if you rent a climate controlled storage unit, this stress won’t be a problem anymore!

Welcome back to the Albuquerque Self Storage Blog! We’re going to dive into some of the wear and tear that might happen if your belongings are improperly stored. Today, we will focus on the importance of climate controlled storage units and some possible damages that could occur without it.

What Can Climate Controlled Storage Units Prevent?

Mold

Since we are on the verge of the winter and spring seasons, rainstorms are more frequently occurring than other months of the year. Although you are keeping your items inside, some damage might still take place if they aren’t kept in a climate controlled space.

Mold is one of the most common effects from too much moisture in the air. This fungus is an organism that is similar to a plant and has the purpose of removing dead cells. We’ve all seen mold before in places like on bad food in the refrigerator or on plants when it’s moist outside. Mold shows up in a variety of colors including white, orange, green, black, and brown.

Oftentimes mold isn’t extremely harmful to humans, but might cause some allergies when around a large amount of it. However, when it comes to your belongings, mold can digest and deteriorate whatever the molecules start growing on. As long as there is nutrients and water, mold is bound to appear. Mold can grow on furniture, in plastic bags and coverings, on wood, and pretty much anything that can hold moisture. When storing your belongings, be sure to take precautions and stay aware in order to prevent this from happening. Look for a storage unit that can control the temperature!

Rust

Have you ever found an old penny or a nail on the ground that is all worn down and discolored? Well, the reason it looks like this is from a chemical reaction that creates rust. Rust is semi-permanent damage that happens when there is humidity around metal objects. This damage is usually a reddish-brown or yellowish colored coating that develops from a process called oxidizing. When iron (or a similar metal like steel) meets oxygen and water, this reaction occurs that causing discoloration and corrosion. This can not only affect the appearance of your belongings but the purpose of them as well.

While storing your things, you want to try to prevent anything from ruining them. Rust can form on things like kitchen appliances, electronics and more. These items are important to keep in good condition to maintain their function and clean appearance. Kitchen appliances and utensils are used for food that you consume, so rust on any of these items would potentially be hazardous if ingested. Coin collections will lose their value if they have damage. Musical instruments and electronics could stop working if the internal pieces become rusted.

Heat Damage

In the spring and summer months (which will be approaching soon enough), warm weather is a factor that can cause problems for your possessions. If you keep old photos in an album or stacked in boxes, they might end up fading or getting stuck together if the unit gets too hot. In order to keep your precious memories stored away safely, make sure your pictures are not facing one another. Put them back to back to keep the glossy sides from sticking together and getting ruined.

Just as heat damage occurs in cars, the same thing can happen in storage units. You might notice the dashboard of an older car begins to curl up after years of being in the sun and heat. Comic book collections, paperwork, old baseball cards, etc. all might face this similar problem if you store them somewhere that isn’t prepared for weather changes. Since you are now more aware of this, you can stash your belongings away in a climate controlled unit to prevent this from taking place.

In conclusion, it is important to know about what can happen to your belongings if not properly stored away. The best way to ensure your items remain in tip-top condition is with a climate controlled storage unit. If you are interested in making more room in your house and renting a self storage unit, please feel free to contact us!

As you’re cleaning and reorganizing your house, you might come to the realization that it is filled with too much “stuff”. Throwing away these items is not an option because of the value they have to you. Yet, keeping them around makes your home look and feel cluttered. So, what do you do? Well, the best way to solve this problem is to rent a storage unit!

We have some self storage tips that will help make the whole process much easier and more efficient for you. Although it might sound like an overwhelming and time-consuming task, the suggestions we provide will ease some of this unwanted stress. Let’s get to it! 

Tidy Up & De-clutter — A Few Self Storage Tips!

Research the Best Option For You

Before actually storing your belongings somewhere, it is crucial to do some research. Since you will be putting some of your possessions in a location outside of your home, you will want to know all about the company that your choosing to trust. There are always a few options to pick from, but Albuquerque Self Storage is one of the best in New Mexico. If you are anywhere in the nearby area, this company will definitely fulfill all of your storage needs!

We have been around for 25 years and understand the expectations and standards that are in place. Pleasing our customers and storing their items safely are priorities for us. Being a family owned company, we understand the significance and connection there is to the belongings being stored here. Even if you aren’t storing anything valuable, these are still your possessions and have meaning to you. Having a trustworthy and reliable company is the top thing to look for when deciding to rent a storage unit.

Organize Your Unit

After you’ve picked out a company that is the best fit, you should plan out what you’re moving out of your house and into storage. Keeping an inventory will help you remember what you are putting into the unit and help you determine the actual size unit you will need. Also, with this inventory, you will be able to split your items into categories and store them in a systematic way.

One of the most uneasy steps of renting a storage unit is the actual act of moving the clutter from your home to an external place — with no organization at all. You fear that the clutter will be a big messy pile at this new location. However, this does not have to be the case!

When removing belongings from your home, you can label boxes in order to know exactly what items are placed there. Usually, the items you are storing won’t be needed for a while, so you might forget what is in the boxes, if you don’t mark the contents on them. By just doing a simple step of labeling, you will notice how this strategy helps you stay organized when searching for items that have been locked away for some time.

Security and Safety

It is important to take precautions to make sure your items stay safe. Whenever you visit the unit, always double check that you have locked everything up before leaving. Here, at Albuquerque Self Storage, we offer strong locks and allow you to keep your own key. This way you have peace of mind that you are the only person that can enter the unit.

However, if your storage unit has a privacy access code or PIN number, it is advised to not tell many people this information. Although you might not have prized possessions being stored there, you still do not want anybody getting access and rummaging through your things.

All in all, the process of self storage is not as intimidating as you may have previously thought. As long as you follow these simple steps, you will remain organized. Using these tips as basic guidelines will let you be efficient in transporting your things in a systematic way. Now that you have these suggestions on storage units, contact us to get your de-cluttering process started!

Asking friends to help you move can always be a bit stressful and tricky. You never want to overstep on anyone’s time, but you know it is always easier to pack and get ready with a few extra hands. Building up a network of friends willing and able to help you move is always a great trick.

Think about the friends you want to ask to help you move. Do they have kids? Do they work every day? Do they run around between their kids schooling and extra-curricular activities? If these are the main friends you are thinking of asking to think again. Be considerate of their time. While these friends may be willing to help you finding the time for them can be difficult. If they run around all day with the kids and working they may be very tired and not have the down time available to help you.

Now consider friends that aren’t running around with kids but consider that they also probably work all day. Weekends may be the best time to ask friends help you move. Whether they work or not this tends to be the best time for everyone and allows you to ask your friends to help you move more than an hour or two.

When asking friends to be sure that they know you will reciprocate something in return or give them a reward at the end for helping you. When your friends agree to help you move make sure you always supply water and snacks or pizza at the end of the day for everyone. When you say you will reciprocate the favor offer to help them with bringing the kids to activities, setting up a holiday party, or even help spring cleaning. To reward your friends, depending on where you are moving, have everyone over to your new home and have a wine tasting and fun dinner.

When you ask for friends help you move many want to but are unable to. Don’t be upset if friends are unable to help you move as everyone has a lot going on in their adult lives. Some friends will gladly help you move, and some won’t and that is okay! Just be sure you don’t take anything personally. You also want to be sure that you give your friends a notice well in advance. You are going to be stressed moving, try not to stress out the people who want to help you. Try to give at least a week’s notice (two weeks are even better), so that they can figure out their schedules.

So, you friends help you move and now everything is packed up and ready. Be sure to show your friends gratitude with pizza and drinks. Also, be sure you know when to use the pros and not just your friends. While your friends can help you fold, box, and label everything the heavy items like bed frames, dressers, and other items are sometimes done best with the pros. You also want to remember that you and your friends may damage some of the heavy items in the move; whereas, the pros know how to properly place everything in the moving truck.

Remember that it is okay to ask for help when you need it! Don’t feel odd asking friends help you move. They will either say yes or no and you can work from there on what to assign everyone and how to have everyone help. If during your move you need anywhere to store your items contact us and we will do our best to help you find the perfect size unit in Albuquerque.

Moving in the New Year can be difficult. Everyone is jolly and cheerful for these next 12 months of wonderful times and memories, but you’re the one who is moving to a new city and new life. Remember this is an exciting time for you and your loved ones are cheering you on!! While this may be difficult we are here to give you tips on moving in the New Year.

We understand how expensive it can be when you move – especially after the holidays. At Albuquerque Self Storage we give you tips on how to make your move more affordable. Whether you are moving into a new house or apartment we want to help you!

1. Recycle and Give Away 

When you are moving you are able to start fresh. As you begin packing up your belongings remember that this is a time for a new you and a new life. If probably have items in closets and boxes you forgot you even had from your last move. Now is the time to get rid of these items whether you are able to donate them or need to toss them. Take a look at your wardrobe, what do you really wear and not wear? What shoes have you kept in the back of your closet for three years? What paintings from college have you kept in your closet and not on your walls? Some of these items can be great to donate! While other items like your college notes on the one Algebra class you needed as a Communications major can definitely be tossed out.

2. Moving with Personal Vehicle 

Moving from one home to another can be cheaper with your own personal vehicle. Traveling in your personal vehicle allows flexibility with time and low fuel costs. There are pros and cons to moving yourself. Something that can prove to be very difficult is not having enough space for all of your furniture and household items. Renting a trailer and hitching it to your car can help you, but this also depends on how much furniture you have and how large it is. While this can be a huge money saver to rent a trailer remember that you will have to do everything on your own (or with the help of friends) and will be liable for all of your items. You may also want to consider the mileage you are adding to your vehicle.

3. Moving with a Rental Truck

Maybe you have too many items to move in your own personal vehicle and rented trailer. Another option is by renting a moving truck. Most companies allow you to rent based on one-way trip or round trip. Renting a moving truck allows you to continue to be flexible with your schedule, but with more room for all of your belongings. If you don’t have room left in the rental truck you may be
able to rent a trailer to attach to the truck. However, keep in mind that as you are moving you will be in charge of loading and unloading your truck.

4. Moving with Professional Movers

So this is more expensive than moving your own items, but it is one of the most convenient solutions. Hiring professional movers is especially great for long distance moving in the New Year. Certain companies give a full service of handling everything from loading the truck and unloading the truck once they reach your new home. Depending on the company they may also help you pack your items. Compare different companies and how they charge you and see what is best for you! Also read reviews on how furniture and other items were handled during the move.

5. Manage Moving Stress

Moving can be a stressful process. The pre and post stress can be a lot on top of your work schedule. Before moving you likely have a large list of things that need to be taken care of before the big move. From small to large tasks like changing your address with the Post Office, changing your bank (or notifying them of your move) and possibly registering in a new state can be a lot. Be sure to map out the most important to the least important tasks that need to be done before you move to your new town or city. When you have decided what needs to be done and know the location of those places you will be able to complete your tasks quickly.

Once you are officially moved and in your new home set aside an entire weekend to unpack. When you have boxes lying around all over the place it is stressful to dig through when you are looking for your favorite mug, or even just a fork! By setting aside an entire weekend you can make sure everything gets cleaned, unpacked, and put away. This will allow you to relax and not worry for three years about unpacked boxes.

Looking for a place to store your items during your move or furniture that no longer fits in your new home? Contact us and we will find a storage unit for you. Moving in the New Year is a great way to start a new you!

Who doesn’t want a glamourous, customized, walk-in closet? Maybe you don’t have room for a large walk-in closet, but we give you tips on building your dream closet whether it’s large or small. The smallest changes make the largest difference in storage and how you are able to keep everything in one space.

Walk-In Closet

So, you have the ability to finally build your dream closet – you can have rows and rows of clothes, shoes, bags, and anything else you’d like! Here are a few ways in which you can make your dream closet come true.

Color Scheme

Before you decide your shelves and cabinets you need to decide what color you want your closet to be. Do you want it to be bright with hints of vibrant colors of neutrals? Or do you want your closet to be dark and mysterious? Many people do light and neutral shades, but you need to do what feels best for your personality! If you don’t want to do a fully turquoise closet or bubble gum pink closet remember there are ways to put small pops of color. You can put color on the wall behind the shelves to give a little brightness that is subtle and add accents.

Doors

You want to install a closet door that has you excited to get dressed each and every day. Depending on your style you can do French doors, a sliding barn door, glass doors, or if you want to feel like James Bond go with a door that opens at the press of a button! No matter which style you choose make sure it has you giddy.

Flooring

Flooring can be difficult to choose for your closet. Most commonly closets have carpet flooring, but if this is not your taste you can do hardwood or tile. The carpet and hardwood make your closet feel homier and more comfortable, where a shiny tile floor can make your closet feel as glamorous as walking into Saks Fifth Ave.

Island

A staple of a walk-in closet in a center island. This allows more storage by placing drawers or shelves in the island. It is also a great spot to lay out an outfit for you to get a good look at or even set a few small bags that you use every day to grab and go. If you are looking to plan an outfit with jewelry and a bag an island is a great spot to do just that!

Shelves

The number of shelves you install will depend on your inventory. If you have more shoes than you do clothes you will want plenty of shelves from floor to ceiling to have room for all of your shoes. However, if you have more clothes than shoes then you’ll want more racks to hang all of your items. Be sure your shelves are all different sizes for shoes, boots, purses, or hanging different lengths of clothing.

Mirrors

Why build a beautiful walk-in closet and not have a single full-length body mirror? Think of how many mirrors there are in a clothing store – the more mirrors the better! Having more mirrors will also allow the room to feel larger. You can have one forward, one in the back, and even some on the side to allow you to see your entire outfit.

Smaller Closet

While you may have a smaller closet that you are unable to walk into and have sliding doors for instead you can still make the most of your space! With expandable organizers and wire kits for closets you can do almost anything. Utilizing all the space you have will amaze you just how much you can really fit into your closet.

Add hanging space with extender rods. Whether you have one or two rods in your closet you can make this into 4 by adding an extender rod to hang more clothes. This is especially helpful for things such as tank tops and t-shirts so that the sleeves are not touching the ground. On your shelves add small and decorative shelf dividers to stop sweaters from toppling over into another pile of clothes.

Feel as though you’re out of shelf space? Think again with under shelf baskets. Often used in the kitchen for mugs and glasses these are great to hold more clothes underneath your shelves for a little more space. These little wire shelves from the Container Store are a great addition to any closet.

Shoe racks can become your best friend in a smaller closet. You may not have room for a full wall of shelves for your shoes or room behind the door to hang shoes but stacking them on your floor can be a life saver. Purchase a few shoe racks to stack them one on top of the other and get as much space out of your floor as possible!

Conclusion

Are you ready to turn your closet into your dream closet? No matter the size of your closet, small or a large walk-in, you can make it whatever you want it to be! Don’t hesitate to even explore Pinterest for more organization tips. If you have clothes you want to put away in storage throughout the seasons,contact us and we will find the best fitting storage unit for you!

Welcome back to the Albuquerque Self Storage blog! The holidays are over and let’s face it, no one enjoys taking down Christmas decorations. The fun and the merriment feels as though it’s gone once all the bright ornaments and wreaths are put away. You spend all this time setting up for the holidays and tearing it down, but there is always something that breaks.

We are sure each year you open your box of ornaments to find a few broken, or maybe find your lights too tangled and hurry to buy a new set. Don’t stress this year about what you’ll need to buy again for the holiday season – we give you tips on how Christmas decoration storage is done properly! Follow our tips on how to store your decorations, save money, and be happy when you pull them out in 10-11 months again!

Christmas Lights

We have all been there after taking all this time for Christmas decoration storage and the next year your lights are twisted together and impossible to take apart. Sometimes you are able to replace one bulb, but oftentimes you need to replace the whole strand of lights. To help prevent this here are a few ways to store your lights. Having neatly wrapped lights makes your storage and take out process that much faster.

Using plastic bags is a good way to help store your Christmas lights if you wrap them well. Make a loose circle with the lights using your forearm by bringing the strand down and back around your elbow. When you have formed a small circle use three to four twist ties to help hold the lights together. Another way of storing lights is using a sturdy cardboard sheet. Cut two slits on either side of the sheet and wrap individual strands around the cardboard. The slits will help to secure the plugs on both sides.

One more way in which to store your Christmas lights is by using a wire spool. Using a wire spool helps to keep the lights perfectly wrapped without catching on to other items. However, only wrap one strand around a spool since they can end up tangled one strand with the other. Look for specific light reels for storage that can help you.

Ornaments

If you have ornaments that are from the store, given as gifts, antique, or homemade you want to be sure they are stored in the best way possible. These items can be one of the more difficult Christmas decorations due to the odd shapes they take. We want to help you keep your ornaments in pristine condition for re-use the following year.

Oftentimes ornaments are stored in cardboard boxes that are flimsy – you want to avoid these entirely. There are multiple boxes you are able to buy designed for round or oddly shaped ornaments.

Some of the most common boxes are commercially designed that are specific to protecting ornaments in storage. These boxes have separators that hold each ornament and prevent any bumping and breaking. It also makes it easy for you to find your box of ornaments. Another Christmas decoration storage idea for your ornaments is to use clear plastic boxes making it easy to see each ornament in the box.

Using these boxes makes it easy for you to find exactly what you want. When wrapping your ornaments you want to wrap each one individually before storing. Use items like bubble wrap, tissue paper, or foam to protect your delicate decorations.

Tree

If you use an artificial Christmas tree each year, then storing this properly is extremely important. You don’t want to have to get a new tree because yours has bent and broken branches. Artificial trees are a great investment, so you’ll want to properly store this to keep the quality of your tree over the years.

These are just a few tips to helping put away your tree that we give you. Use a Christmas tree bag for storage. More often than not they have sturdy handles that allow for easy carrying. While you can use the original packaging it came in over time it becomes torn and mildewed, especially if this is a cardboard box.

When putting away your tree be sure to wear lightweight gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and pines on the tree. You will want to fold the tree with the branches pointed up to help keep them intact. When holding the tree down use bungee cords that won’t put too much pressure on the tree but will help keep it together. 

Time to Store

Throughout this process you want to make sure you properly label everything to make it easy on yourself the following year. Use markers, tape, or any item that makes it easy for you to quickly read the labels and know what you are reaching for. Don’t have room in your house for Christmas decoration storage? Don’t worry! Contact us and we can work with you to find the best storage unit possible at Albuquerque Self Storage.

Homelessness has remained a large problem in the United States over the past decade. The past year it is estimated more than 500,000 people have been homelessor seeking shelter in the U.S. During the winter months it is especially difficult for those who do not have a place to call home. They may not be able to see family, enjoy the holidays, or struggle to just stay warm.

This is a time of love and warmth between family and friends but can be a difficult time for those who are unable to have a stable home for different reasons. By giving during the holiday season to those that may be less fortunate than yourself you are helping in tremendous ways. Even the smallest of donations goes a long way in difficult times.

If you and your family members are looking to help during the holiday season, we provide a list of items that are most often needed in shelters.

1. Socks and Warm Clothes

The winter months can be very harsh. Whether you live in a warm state or cold state the nights are always brutal when you are unprepared for the wind whipping and the rain or snow hitting the ground hard. Without proper clothing it is easy to become cold leading to becoming sick. Almost any warm wearables are needed at shelters as these months bring in many more looking for emergency shelter.

Many shelters provide a coat drive throughout the winter months for those who need proper warmth. Whether you have old children’s coats to donate or even your own they can help keep someone else a little warmer. You can also donate gloves, mittens, boots, hats and scarves, and any outerwear that can also be waterproof.

Another item that is necessary are socks and undergarments. It is very difficult for those in a shelter or on the street to find a clean pair of items every day that we find necessary. Donating socks and undergarments is more needed than many often think would be. Another item to donate would be hand warmers. Emitting heat for 8-10 hours can help someone keep them in their pockets, shoes, or gloves for a little extra warmth in the cold air.

2. Blankets, Sheets, and Towels

Giving clothing to the shelters is a great necessity for those going in and out of the shelters, but don’t forget what the shelter needs for all of those people. Sheets, towels, and blankets are in high demand. People are going in and out every day needing a warm place to sleep and a clean towel to shower. Giving the shelter these items allows them to quickly prepare for more people and give more warm items to those that need them.

Check with your local shelter on the size beds they have for sheets to donate, as well as if they have a preference of the size of blanket. Allowing someone the ability to shower in the evening with a warm towel, sleep in a warm room, and crawl into a warm bed is giving more than you know. These are often items we take for granted as having in our homes and in these months, you bring safety and happiness to more than you may know.

3. Personal Care

Personal care items for both men and women are very important. Sometimes showers are not an everyday ability for those without a stable home. By donating personal care items to a shelter they are able to send people with these items when they move out of the shelter. Travel sized items are often wanted in order to be given to each person.

Each shelter will often have their list of specific items they recommend be donated. These items can range depending on the shelter, so be sure to check your local shelter. Here is a small list of items that are often needed:

• Liquid soap
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Shaving Cream
• Baby Wipes
• Diapers
• Reading Glasses

4. Cookware and Snacks

Many shelters ask for simple cookware and snack items to hand out in the mornings or afternoons. Snacks that are easy to hand out such as breakfast bars, protein bars, and other easy snacks are great for donation.

Shelters sometimes also need plastic silverware, cups, and other utensils to have used every day for all meals provided. Ask the staff at a shelter near you what they would need during the year, especially the busy months of winter.

5. Bras

This may seem something that many women may have or pack when they are unable to have a stable home; however, in situations where women are on the run and have children they often leave with the clothes on their back. The main thought is their child or children and safety.

With little money and most of it going to food and shelter donating bras is a great way to help women in need. One national resource, The Bra Recyclers, is a great philanthropic company that has helped donate over a million bras to girls and women in need.

6. Entertainment

Everyone deserves that moment of relaxation with a book, Netflix, game, song, or movie on DVD. However, when homelessness strikes that relaxation becomes a large luxury that is not easily available. There are many donations for entertainment from the young to old that are great in a shelter.

A small list of items for donation include the following:

• Gift cards to retailers
• iPods or MP3 players
• Headphones
• Journals and Pens
• Art Supplies
• Movie theater gift cards
• Children’s games
• Stuffed Toys
• Books
• Prepaid cell phones with talk minutes loaded

7. Compassion

Many people do not hope to live life in a shelter or on the street. Having compassion and understanding that while they may not be as fortunate, they are humans with feelings too. Saying hello, offering to purchase a bottle of water, a hot tea or hot chocolate, or even a sandwich goes a long way. Be polite and remember during the holiday season it can be difficult for those struggling and alone to see the happiness we may hold. Even just a smile can brighten someone’s day!