Get ready for 2013 with our top 10 items to donate!

Happy holidays!

I’m taking the week off to spend time with friends and family. But I know that holiday periods are often times when you’re at home trying to be productive…say, cleaning out your closet, perhaps?

The end of the year is prime time to make donations to your local Goodwill. After all, it’s your last chance to get a tax deduction before the new year begins.

With a week left in 2012, Goodwill is counting down the top 10 things to donate before the end of the year. Count how many of these items you’ve donated!

10. Computers. Computers and their peripherals contain electronic parts that are hazardous to the environment if not disposed of properly. Don’t discard an old computer at the end of its useful life — recycle it through a program such as Dell Reconnect. Just remember to remove personal data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill.

9. Kitchenware. Get a new cooking set during the holidays? Don’t gift rid of those pots and pans you will no longer use. Gently used kitchenware can be donated at most Goodwill locations.

8. Video Games. Did your child just have to have the latest (and likely the most expensive) video game this year? Make a deal: for every new video game, donate two they don’t play anymore.

7. Books. Upgrading from paperbacks to a Kindle or iPad this year? You know where we’re going with this….

6. CDs. You’ve got all your songs saved on hard drives and mp3 players. Do you really need those hundreds of old CDs taking up space in the back of your closet?

5.  Cell Phones. Unused cell phones are one of the fastest growing types of trash in America. Instead of discarding your old phone, recycle or donate it — but remember to remove any of your personal data!

4. Household items. Lamps, frames, vases, curios, baskets and collectibles are just some of the knick-knacks we love to sell at Goodwill.

3. Bikes. Yes, Goodwill and other thrift stores take big-ticket items like bikes. When your children have outgrown theirs, or you’ve moved on to a new bike, consider donating the old ones.

2. Gift Cards. Billions of dollars in holiday gift cards go unused every year. You can donate an unwanted gift card — with any unused amount on it — to your local Goodwill.

1. Textiles. Textiles include clothes such as suits, pants, dresses and shirts. You name it, we’ll take it. They are the largest volume of items we receive and sell. Donating clothes not only funds job training programs, but also provides new outfits for Goodwill job seekers.

Thanks to our friends at Goodwill Industries International for compiling this list. Did you know that donating just one bag of clothes can provide an hour of resume preparation class for one of Goodwill’s job training students? Is there a better reason to donate this week before the new year arrives? Get to it!

Happy holidays, everyone. Thank you for supporting Goodwill!