Giving Away Finished Handmade Items // Where Can You Do That?

Dear users, dear authors,
This thread is exclusively about giving away finished handmade items.
This thread is intended to gather a list of contacts who would be happy to receive finished handmade items.
I hope we can compile a good list here.
Please join in. Thank you

Hi everyone

I think that’s a great idea, Josefa.

Generally speaking, station missions, LEAs, and homeless shelters are especially happy to receive hats, scarves, and gloves during the winter. But you should definitely ask locally first. It has also happened to me that they politely declined.

Amigurumi can usually be given away anywhere there are children. Again, LEAs or local children’s homes.

I know that many hospitals appreciate little hats for premature babies. Here, however, care should be taken to use pure cotton and, of course, to ensure a smoke-free environment.

Best regards
Birgit

Here in our city, there’s the Caritas clothing bank, which is especially grateful for knitted or crocheted scarves, hats, and shawls during the winter.

The donated items go to people in need and refugees.

Kindergartens, clubs, and schools are always happy to receive nice little gifts for their summer festival raffles or Advent bazaars. This is a great way to support their volunteer work.

Best regards,
Gabi

Hi.... yes, there are lots of places to “donate” and give away items. For me, it’s a premature baby unit that gets something every year (wrist warmers, hats, booties); last year I made something for a raffle.

As party favors at children’s birthday parties, there’s always something crocheted too.

I also know a few really lovely crocheters who make beautiful things for pediatric cancer wards; I always donate patterns for that, because I can’t possibly crochet everything myself.

In the winter, I often bring scarves and hats with me when we go into town, which I then give to homeless people.

But as I mentioned earlier, depending on the organization, it’s best to check with them beforehand.

Churches also organize something similar to food banks. Unfortunately, I can’t think of what it’s called here. In any case, you can ask at churches and possibly at food banks.

Hi Josefa,
it’s great that you’ve taken up the idea of giving away finished handmade items. I do find it a bit of a shame, though, that you didn’t reach out to me at all. Alex then referred me to a colleague, but she didn’t get in touch either. Well, donating to a good cause is definitely a great thing!!
Every year, thousands of shoebox gifts are packed for the “Christmas in
a Shoebox” campaign. There are collection points that gladly accept hats, scarves, and gloves (even fingerless ones, since some classrooms aren’t heated and although you can wrap up warmly, writing with gloves on is more than difficult).
As far as I know, these collection points will be listed online starting in September. The items go to truly poor children who often have never received a Christmas gift before. Check out some videos about it online.
Best regards, and thanks for putting this idea into action!

Hello,

Every year, we have the "Christmas in a Shoebox" campaign.... They also include hats, scarves, gloves, stuffed animals, toothpaste, etc. Is there something like this in Germany too? It’s organized by the parishes and sent on to Romania, Bulgaria, etc.

Hi Otterthaler Häkelmaus,
yes, they have that in Germany too! And there are also collection points here for handmade items—they collect hats, gloves, scarves, etc., and pass them on to the stations where the packages are checked and, if necessary, supplemented with these items.
I’ve already called there, and they told me that a list will be available online starting in September. As far as I know, most of the packages go to Eastern European countries.
Many thanks to everyone who’s participating! I’d be happy to take care of the addresses!
Petra