What About Clothes That I'll Give to My Brother’s Kids as They Grow Up?

This is part of Stewie's Guide to Ruthlessly Declutter Your Clothes Today.

I see this question pop up online all the time:

“Can I keep clothes to pass on to my brother’s kids as they grow up?”

At first glance, the answer seems simple: Sure, but set some limits. Pick two storage bins, keep only the best stuff, and call it a day.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize there’s a bigger conversation to be had here.

Because when we keep things for other people, especially when they haven’t asked us to, we run the risk of turning our homes into long-term storage units for stuff that people may not even want.

Before You Save Clothes for Someone Else…

Ask yourself:

1. Have they actually asked you to do this? Or is this something you just think they might want? Sometimes, we hold onto things out of a sense of duty when, in reality, no one is expecting it.

2. Are you keeping quality stuff? Be honest—are these clothes really worth saving? Or are they stained, torn, or outdated? If you wouldn’t be excited to give them as a gift, why keep them?

3. Will this person even want these things? If so, why not give them these clothes now? Why not let them store these items? Why not let them decide what’s worth keeping?

Your Home is Not a Storage Unit

Look, I love the idea of passing down clothes and toys that are still in great condition. I love the joy of giving—seeing a younger cousin light up over a hand-me-down jacket that suddenly becomes their favorite.

But here’s the deal: I don’t store things for others. My home is a place to live, not a place for long-term storage.

So if I have something to give, I give it now. If it’s not needed now, I trust that when the time comes, those kids will have plenty of clothes—ones that fit them, ones that suit their personalities, ones that feel like theirs.

Because when we let go of the excess, when we free ourselves from holding onto “just in case” for other people, we gain something far better: a home that feels lighter, a space that feels like ours, and the freedom to live in the present instead of storing for the future.

Next steps…