‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring … except the parents trying to figure out where they’d store the new batch of toys Santa, the grandparents, and the rest of the relatives would be delivering for the children all snug in their beds.

Here’s one way to solve the dilemma and spread the Christmas spirit at the same time …

Ask your children to pick out one, two, or three toys they no longer need that can be donated to a shelter, thrift shop, Goodwill, etc. Explain that you want to make room for their new gifts and that they should choose nice, unbroken things for other children who don’t have many toys. Don’t worry if your donations arrive after Christmas. Organizations always need a supply of toys for birthdays and other occasions. You’ll be minimizing your clutter, helping families in need, and teaching the importance of generosity to your children.