Stockings aren't the only things that get stuffed at Christmastime-our homes get filled up, too. How do you make space for the new clothes and toys Santa left under the tree? Hope Whiteford of York, a mother of three, declutters her home and makes money by reselling outgrown clothes and toys. "After Christmas, when your kids have all the new stuff, it would probably be easier for them to let go of some of the old stuff," she said.

Whiteford takes her gently used clothing and toys to Kid to Kid in York Township, a franchise owned by Vickie Kelley and her husband, Roger. "We are an upscale resale shop," Kelley said. "We call the people who come in to sell their items our 'vendors'."

Consignment and reselling are similar in that both take your used items and pay you for them. The main difference is in how you are paid.

At Kid to Kid, customers receive immediate payment of either cash or in-store credit for 20 percent more. Any items not accepted are returned.

Kelley said you may call to make an appointment to bring in two bins of clothing and toys. Or you can do a "walk-in" appointment, which is first-come, first-served, with a one-bin limit. After you have been through the process once, you may drop off your items.

Whiteford said she used to hold yard sales in the past."But you never know whether it's going to rain and you spend hours pricing stuff." 

Get your items ready for resale

1) Go through closets and dressers, pulling out clothing that doesn't fit or that you or your kids don't wear anymore.

2) Launder all of the clothing, fold neatly to avoid wrinkling, and place in plastic bins or clean cardboard boxes. Namebrand clothing items are preferred.

3) Go through toys and remove things your children have outgrown or haven't played with lately.

4) Make sure toys and games have all of their parts and are in working order. Clean any plastic toys and pack into bins or boxes.

5) Big items such as baby equipment, furniture or large toys do not have to be put in boxes.

Kid to Kid

180 Leader Heights Road, York Township. 747-5437

www.kidtokid.com

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