what to do with pens,biro's,pencils etc??

cathy36

Does anyone know what to do with pens, biro pens, pencils etc as I have tubs filled with them? I don't want to just chuck them as lots are brand new, unsharpened and un-used sharpened pencils. My daughter is stationery MAD :mad: and gets them bought for her for every occasion, start of new term at school etc but there is only sooooo many you can use in your life. She was given a £30 WH Smith voucher for Christmas so more pencil cases and pens/pencils. They are driving me mad, they are staring at me in every room I go into, they are now popping up in my car!!!! H-E-L-P there must be somewhere out there that can use them and give them a nice new home instead of the TIP!!!!!!!!!!

Savvy_Sue

local playgroup / nursery?

discreetly recycle them into the school when she's not looking?

charity shops for any 'sets'?

jackieblack

How old is your daughter?
Personally I wouldn't take very kindly to my mother giving away stuff I'd been given for presents or spent christmas/birthday money/gift vouchers on.
Can't you just put them all in one big box and ask her not to buy any more until she's used up what she has already got?
Alternatively, ask her to sort out any she won't use and to decide herself where she would like to donate them to.
They do belong to her, after all.

Junier

I went through a box of pens a few months ago and threw all the ones that didnt work, it got rid of quite a few!

cathy36

jackieblack wrote: »

How old is your daughter?
Personally I wouldn't take very kindly to my mother giving away stuff I'd been given for presents or spent christmas/birthday money/gift vouchers on.
Can't you just put them all in one big box and ask her not to buy any more until she's used up what she has already got?
Alternatively, ask her to sort out any she won't use and to decide herself where she would like to donate them to.
They do belong to her, after all.

My daughter is 12 years old.
As I have said she has tubs filled to the top of pens, pencils, rubbers, sharpeners and pencil cases. Not ice-cream tubs, big storage boxes with lids on. She has pretty pens, novelty pens, plain pens, packs of cheap 99p store pens, and the same goes for pencils, rubbers and sharpeners. The packs of pencils and pens she has been given for Christmas presents are all mostly from our local Sainsbury's/99p stores and she already has packs of them again un-used. We tell people NO STATIONARY PLEASE but they say 'it's only another pack of pens', there are only so many pens you can use in your life!! What is the point in her sorting out the pens she has already undone and NOT used and nobody wanting them when there are brand new packs that someone can benefit from. The same also goes for the pencils and rubbers. Obviously I am not going to wait for her to spend her vouchers and quickly get rid of those things, I am not a nasty mother. She has had a lot of dealings with the hospital over 12 years so any toys, brand new duplicate toys/books she donates to the paediatric operating department for the children to pick something out of the distraction box BUT they have no need for biros, loose or packed or pencils loose. We are a charitable family and are always donating where possible. I am fully aware that they belong to her but most of the pens, pencils, rubbers and sharpeners haven't seen the light-of-day for some time and unfortunately as she is a very imature 12 year old with autism asking her to decide is a no go.

cathy36

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

local playgroup / nursery?

discreetly recycle them into the school when she's not looking?

charity shops for any 'sets'?

Thank you:)

cathy36

Junier wrote: »

I went through a box of pens a few months ago and threw all the ones that didnt work, it got rid of quite a few!

Thank you

kingfisherblue

I run Brownies and Rainbows - maybe you could consider donating to a Guiding unit (or two, or three... ) in your area. They wouldn't mind if the pens are in packs or not.

When I set up my units, I asked local shops for pens, pencils, sharpeners, etc to save money. Some units use them more than others, but I know that we are always grateful for any donations. In fact, stationery is a more 'sensible' sounding request - I'm currently saving Quality Street wrappers (the cellophane parts - they have no writing on them and can be used in lots of crafts ), cardboard tubes to make rainmakers, pieces of ribbon - I'm thinking of cutting all those annoying bits out of clothes (and ribbon can be quite expensive, but so useful for crafts), pictures of disabled people, and pictures of the Royal family

cathy36

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I run Brownies and Rainbows - maybe you could consider donating to a Guiding unit (or two, or three... ) in your area. They wouldn't mind if the pens are in packs or not.

When I set up my units, I asked local shops for pens, pencils, sharpeners, etc to save money. Some units use them more than others, but I know that we are always grateful for any donations. In fact, stationery is a more 'sensible' sounding request - I'm currently saving Quality Street wrappers (the cellophane parts - they have no writing on them and can be used in lots of crafts ), cardboard tubes to make rainmakers, pieces of ribbon - I'm thinking of cutting all those annoying bits out of clothes (and ribbon can be quite expensive, but so useful for crafts), pictures of disabled people, and pictures of the Royal family

Thank you.
There are a few groups running in my area so I will get in touch. Thanks again for your suggestion.:j

agostino221

Thanks for sharing your great ideas.