What do you do with those adorable Halloween costumes that you only use once? Here are some ideas to get your philanthropic juices going.  It is the season of giving after all. So let’s give a little and recycle a little.

1. Donate them to a women’s shelter. In honor of #DomesticViolence month, giving gently used and cleaned costumes to shelters not only for Halloween but also for dress-up can be an escape for little ones stuck in impossible situations.

2. Donate them to a family shelter. Kids in shelters are often going without when it comes to stuff like this. Remember families that are affected by difficult times.

3. Recycle them. Next year have a clothing swap. Especially when kids are young, clothing swaps are an excellent way to help each other out and save some money in the process.  Hand-me-downs are amazing for young families trying to live on a budget.  

4. Donate them to the red cross or a thrift store benefiting a community or cause.  In my area, I love to do the local thrift shop that benefits our hospital and the Red Cross, but there are many thrift shops, such as thrift shops to benefit AIDS or the Salvation Army that helps get people back on their feet.

Instilling philanthropy in our youngest generation is good for humanity as well, so involve your kids.  Let them decide where to donate and take the costumes in themselves.  Let’s all raise good humans.