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Halloween Lifehack: How to Declutter While Making a Kid’s Day

October 30, 2018 | 9:06 PM
in COLUMNS
7

Editor’s Note: Local dad and photographer extraordinaire Scott Matthews contacted us with some life advice that we thought was worth sharing with fellow West Siders.

By Scott Matthews

I’d like to share a Halloween tradition my family invented a few years ago.

A few days before Halloween we encourage our daughter to go through her stuff and pick out “perfectly good but no longer wanted” toys and whatnot from her room.

We then offer these items along with candy to the trick-or-treaters who come to visit.

The kids are always happy, and usually prefer toys to candy. And we get to share things we once loved, but don’t use anymore.

It has been a fun tradition for us, and we thought perhaps other people might enjoy giving it a try.

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Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

Comments 7

  1. Shelly says:
    7 years ago

    If you have any plastic toys remaining, check out https://www.secondchancetoys.org/

    Reply
    • CT says:
      7 years ago

      Amazing idea along with the original one! Going to do it. Thanks.

      Reply
  2. Linda Jawitz says:
    7 years ago

    Brilliant idea. I’m sending this to all my friends that have children. Thanks for sharing this lovely idea.

    Reply
  3. Christine E says:
    7 years ago

    Thank you for the clever idea, we did it, and the kids seemed delighted!

    Reply
    • Scott Matthews says:
      7 years ago

      I’m so happy to hear somebody actually gave it a try, glad to know it worked for you too!

      Reply
  4. Bruce E. Bernstein says:
    7 years ago

    Am I right in thinking that the model in this pic is the outstanding NY Times reporter Amy Harmon?

    Reply
    • Amy Harmon says:
      7 years ago

      That is me! Thanks so much for the kind words. – Amy

      Reply

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