Fat Tuesday celebrations mark the end of the fun and merrymaking of Mardi Gras, but they are more than parades, beads, and partying. Overindulging on Fat Tuesday has roots centuries old, when people would rid their homes of items (usually food) that were going to be abstained from during the season of Lent that begins the day after Fat Tuesday on Ash Wednesday. Christians celebrate Lent as a six and a half week period of preparation of mind, body, and soul for Easter, and it is a time of solemn reflection on the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
While some will engage in some type of fasting or abstinence from certain foods or activities, many participating in Lent will also try do do something to bring them closer to Jesus by giving back to the community. I have been doing the 40 Days – 40 Items Challenge, donating forty items of clothing from my closet, one for each day of Lent (not counting Sundays). It’s a great way to help others and also helps me clean out my closet.
What is the 40 Day – 40 Bags & Boxes Challenge?
I was browsing through Facebook the other day, and came across a call for people to donate a total of 40 Bags and Boxes, filling one box or bag a day. Since Lent falls around the time of year that we all feel the urge to start spring cleaning, this seems like a perfect way to dig a little deeper to serve the community of those less-fortunate!
I have decided to get the whole family involved in this 40 Days – 40 Bags & Boxes Challenge to help us all focus on helping others and being less materialistic. I am often guilty of holding on to things long past their personal usefulness. I like to think of it as being sentimental, but sometimes my family teases me with the nickname of “hoarder.” I’m ready to prove to them that I can let go and watch them learn to give of themselves. One of my sons doesn’t ever want to get rid of certain shoes (“…but we won the Turf Bowl in those!”) or youth sports uniforms (“…but that’s from when we went to the state 7 on 7 championship!”). For the longest time, he even kept both of his casts from the year he broke both of his hands (same bone different hands). I can understand the sentimentality behind wanting to keep some of those items, but the collection of old t-shirts that have been long outgrown have to go!
Of course, I need to take my own advice and get rid of all of those “if I lose 15 pounds, this will fit me” articles of clothing! I also need to get rid of a pretty large stash of throw pillows I have been keeping around just in case I do a complete overhaul of my color palette in my home. My collection of abandoned knick-knacks that I might one day repurpose also needs to go! Someone could enjoy these things NOW! After being in my house for such a long time, I know I have accumulated so many things that I no longer need that could be put to better use in someone else’s home.
Will you join me in the 40 Days – 40 Bags & Boxes Challenge? I can now put all of those Amazon boxes that magically arrive at my doorstep to good use! Share your progress with all of us in the Creative Contessa Designs Family, and think of all of those people you could be helping!
Clean out your home room by room!
Get the whole family involved!
- Bedrooms
- Bedroom Closets
- Bathrooms
- Linen Closets
- Kitchen
- Coat Closets
- Living Room
- Office
- Play Room
- Garage
- Attic
- Basement
- Laundry Room
Where to Donate:
- This comprehensive article gives some really unique places to donate your items. I love the idea of sending paperbacks to troops!
- Looking for pick up at home? Check out this article that lists 8 Charities that Pick Up Donations, making this challenge a little easier!
- I love donating books and media to my local library or schools. Teachers are always looking for books to add to their classroom libraries.
- Professional clothing can be donated to organizations that help dress people for interviews and jobs. Find out where by reading this article, including Dress for Success for women and Career Gear for men.
- Check with churches to see what their needs are.
- Shelters for victims of domestic abuse often need linens, toys, and clothing.
- Habitat for Humanity will take a lot of household items and tools.
Thank you for being a part of helping others!
- Get a jump start on Spring Cleaning with these frugal tips from Nora!
- If you do choose to re-purpose some of those items you find and need a little inspiration, follow us on Facebook and check out our Pinterest Boards for ideas!
- Please know how much your support means to us! If you like what you read, please take a moment to share it with your friends on social media. Thank you!!
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