Month: August 2023

When you’re ready to part ways with your wedding dress, there are many options for donating it. You can resell it, give it to a family member, or donate it to a charity. Donating your gown is a great way to support a cause you care about and help someone else have the wedding of their dreams, too. Unless you’re planning to resell your wedding dress, it should be clean before you donate it. Getting it professionally cleaned can make the difference between a dress that gets worn several times and one that is tattered at the end of its life. Some charities resell the dresses they collect, while others donate them directly to people in need. For example, the nonprofit bridal shop Brides for a Cause accepts donated dresses and resells them to raise funds for dozens of women-focused causes, including breast cancer research and early detection programs. The Bridal Garden, a Manhattan-based nonprofit, is another option for donating your gown. This organization provides a percentage of the proceeds to a local youth initiative, helping low-income families afford their dream weddings. When you decide to donate your dress, check the charity’s guidelines for what it needs before preparing it. Most charities require that your gown be no more than five years old and in good condition, but specific requirements vary from one organization to the next. Check to see if the charity has any size preferences, and whether they accept accessories like veils. You can also ask if you need to have your dress dry-cleaned before handing it over. While you’re prepping your dress, look for any rips or tears. Most charities prefer to have dresses in good shape and don’t want ripped or damaged gowns, as they can be difficult to repair. It’s also a good idea to have your dress dry-cleaned before packing it up for donation, as this can prevent any potential staining. In addition to being a way to give back, donating your wedding dress can provide you with a tax deduction. Depending on the amount you donate, this may help reduce your federal income taxes. However, if you’re giving a large donation of cash or goods, you’ll need to keep careful records in case you’re audited by the IRS.

When brides select their perfect wedding gown, complete with intricate beading and timeless lace overlay, they don’t think it will end up back in their closet or attic after the reception music fades and the honeymoon ends. But for many brides, that once-worn dress finds another life—as an angel gown that will comfort grieving families who lose a baby in pregnancy or soon after birth. Across the country, volunteers stitch together tiny bereavement dresses for infants who pass away shortly after birth, or in cases of late miscarriage or stillbirth. These dresses, known as angel outfits, are often made from donated wedding dresses and distributed by nonprofit organizations to families in need. Tom and Deanna Williamson of Charlotte, North Carolina, lost their 20-week-pregnant son, Eli, in 2015. When he passed, Levine Children’s Hospital gave them an angel gown, and it was that experience that inspired them to pay it forward. “I didn’t know how to help my husband and I, so I started doing what I knew how to do—sewing,” says Williamson, who used her home economics teacher training at Pickerington Schools before retiring from the district and turning to philanthropy. In 2014, she began sewing angel gowns for a small, central Ohio-based organization called Hillary’s Cherished Gowns. She has now sewed more than 1,000 angel gowns, which she distributes through local hospitals and charities. “These families have been through so much in such a short amount of time, and these gowns give them something that will be special to them,” she said. In addition to the gowns, she’s also created a pattern for sleep sacks and overalls, which some families prefer. She even uses scraps from the gowns to make little hearts, as a way for families to remember their babies. The dresses are collected through an online donation page or given to her by family and friends. Each one takes between six and eight hours to craft, but it’s a labor of love for all involved. “When you see your work helping someone else, it’s so rewarding,” she says. Other volunteer seamstresses around the country create gowns of all sizes, including micro-preemie and full-term babies. Projects like Bauer’s are part of a national network called NICU Helping Hands, which has locations nationwide. Mayo nurse Lynn Gaber has seen the need firsthand. She’s worked in the cardiovascular surgery ICU at Mayo Clinic, and she knows the heartbreak of hearing a woman tell her she was told their fetus died during an ultrasound. When families lose a baby in pregnancy or soon after, they’re sometimes referred to as an “angel baby.” Gaber helps her colleagues with the organization, which provides bereavement gowns for babies who die during labor and delivery, or shortly after.

Whether they died in utero or in early childhood, when a child dies, families face a new chapter of grief that can seem unbearable. While a child funeral may be less formal than one for an adult, a family still needs to plan the service, and many of the same questions arise: What do I do? How do I tell the children? What do I do when the outward expressions of grief come and go? Having conversations with your children about what to expect at the funeral and explaining that everyone will be feeling different is key. Allowing them to ask as many questions as they have and to express their emotions is also important. It’s a good idea to visit the funeral home and cemetery prior to the service so your children can become familiar with their surroundings. If you are concerned about your child’s reaction during the funeral, consider appointing a trusted friend or relative to be their “funeral buddy.” This person can support them and even take them outside or into a hallway for a break if it becomes too much for them. They can help explain the different events of the service, and they can be someone they trust to talk to afterwards about their feelings. For a ceremony, some families like to include other things their baby loved, from teddy bears and blankets to letters and poems. Some choose to have a display of photos, a slideshow or a matted photo frame that can be signed by friends and family. You can also have a special song played during the ceremony, line the driveway with luminaries, or have family members escorted to the graveside by fire trucks or police cars. Some children are apprehensive about touching their deceased sibling, so it’s a good idea to model gentle touch and explain that they can choose to touch or not touch their sister or brother. It’s also a good idea to note any physical changes, such as marks or scars, to help the children understand that their sibling is no longer alive. Many funerals for children are held in religious settings, but it’s not unusual for a service for a child to be a private affair. Older children, however, often have a more public service with friends and classmates invited to attend. Depending on the age of your child, you can also decide if you want your child’s casket or urn to be open for viewing. You can also invite family and friends to write a message for your child to be placed in the casket or on the urn, or have them draw pictures that you can display.

When it comes to baby clothing, the best clothes are soft, flexible and easy on/off for diaper changes. They should also be made with materials that can stand up to repeated washings and won’t irritate the baby’s skin. Look for organic cotton, bamboo fiber and linen. These fabrics are typically free of chemicals, making them gentle enough for a newborn. Another option is to choose garments that are made with natural materials like hemp or tencel. These fabrics are also soft and absorbent and are naturally anti-bacterial and odor-free. Because onesies leave your baby’s legs exposed, it’s important to have pants and leggings in your infant’s wardrobe. Leggings are a practical choice and can be used for both daywear and sleeping. Pants are also a good idea as they provide more coverage and can be worn with shirts and dresses. Look for stretchy leggings that are comfortable and can be adjusted with snaps as your baby grows. Hanna Andersson’s organic knit pajamas are a good choice because they come in matching sets and feature a cute print. Since babies grow so fast, it’s smart to purchase clothes that are sized up. You can always roll up the sleeves and pants of a too-big outfit, and it’s possible that an item that is too big will fit just right after a few washes. In addition to the basics, make sure to stock up on wintertime outerwear. Babies can be cold even when it’s warm outside, so a warm jacket is essential for the colder months. Adding a warm hat is a nice touch. This wool hat from Freshly Picked is cozy and features a drawstring that helps you adjust the fit. If you’re looking for a special piece of clothing for your newborn, consider investing in a dress or romper from a designer brand. For example, the Ralph Lauren collection of clothing for newborns looks upscale but won’t break the bank. They offer a range of styles that take on a preppy, classic vibe and are perfect for your baby’s homecoming or for formal occasions. Another great option for a fancy outfit is Finn and Emma. This company is based in the US and uses eco-friendly materials such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton. Their designs are subdued and elegant with a hint of luxury that makes these pieces stand out from other brands. They also have a wide selection of gender-neutral items to suit any gender. If you want to save money on everyday apparel, try shopping at The Children’s Place for affordable options. They carry everything from onesie bodysuits and pajamas to pants, skirts and shirts. They also have cute outfits that are suitable for special occasions, such as a little tuxedo.

If a loved one has passed away, choosing their burial outfit is an important part of the memorialization process. Whether you opt to dress your loved one in a classic black dress or something more casual, your choice of clothing will create a final image that represents their personality and style. A common choice of funeral attire for women is a simple black dress that exudes elegance and solemnity. The high neckline and long sleeves of a dress offer a dignified look that is suitable for a final resting place. Pair a dress with closed-toe shoes for a more refined and elegant appearance. The funeral gown is a modern alternative to shrouds, which are used in some cultures and religions to wrap a deceased person for burial. Similar to a kimono or wedding dress, a funeral gown resembles a robe and is easy to slip on and off. In addition to their aesthetic, burial gowns are also designed with comfort and safety in mind. Typically, a funeral gown is made from breathable materials that are designed to absorb any moisture and prevent heat loss. Besides the traditional dress and suit, many people choose to wear other types of garments for their final resting place. If a person has specific hobbies or passions, wearing these clothes at their funeral is a way to honor their passions and give mourners a chance to remember them fondly. People have worn everything from Harley-Davidson jackets to fox fur coats for their funeral services. It is important to consult with family members about the type of funeral attire you want your loved ones to be dressed in. If the deceased left instructions in their will about what they want to be buried in, then it is best to follow their wishes. Oftentimes, friends and extended family members will ask what they can do to help during this difficult time. They may ask if they can shop for clothing or other items needed to make the funeral service as special as possible. If you are open to this, they may be happy to do so and will likely text you photos of their choices. Many designers use their background in design and art to create unique, one-of-a-kind burial garments. Leon Harris of LH Design, for example, uses a traditional African culture homegoing ceremony as inspiration for his women’s burial garments. He also draws on his knowledge of textiles to create gowns that look as if the wearer is going out to celebrate, not simply to sleep. In contrast, designer Jae Rhim Lee combines her background in horticulture with couture and heirloom sewing techniques to create a line of burial garments called Garments for the Grave. She has created designs that resemble cocoons or kimonos and are intended for dressing both by families and funeral professionals. Researchers have found that the soil types and microflora of a burial site can impact the biodegradability of fabric. For instance, some fabrics (like wool) are less prone to bacterial growth in acidic soils than others (such as cotton). In general, natural dyes tend to have better biodegradability than chemical dyes.

If you recently got married or are planning to divorce, your wedding dress doesn’t have to end up in the trash. Instead, consider donating it to charity. Several nonprofit organizations take dresses and resell them at affordable prices to benefit women in need. You may also be eligible for a tax deduction, according to Zola. Additionally, recycling and donating your clothes helps reduce the amount of waste created by producing new garments from scratch, which creates a lot of carbon dioxide and other toxic fumes. Goodwill is probably one of the most well-known charitable institutions in the United States, and it accepts almost any type of clothing item. That includes wedding dresses, which are sold in their thrift stores at a discounted price and the proceeds are used for various charitable programs. However, it’s important to know that the dress must be less than three years old and in excellent condition with no major rips or tears. It’s also a good idea to have your dress dry cleaned before you donate it. Brides Against Breast Cancer is another nonprofit organization that raises money for breast cancer awareness and prevention by reselling donated wedding gowns. The company’s website provides a list of local branches that offer pick-up services, but you should contact each branch first to see what their specific policies are regarding donations. If you’re not sure where to go with your dress, you can always donate it to the Salvation Army. The company’s branches resell the wedding dresses and other items they receive to help people in need, and the money raised helps fund the nonprofit’s early detection education and research programs. You can also give your dress a second life by donating it to NICU Helping Hands, which refashions wedding dresses into burial gowns for families who lost a child in the hospital. The organization has 180 seamstresses around the country who painstakingly remake the wedding dresses into gowns for grieving parents to use for their infants’ final journey. The organization accepts wedding and bridesmaid dresses, but you should check with your local Salvation Army branch before bringing it in. Alternatively, you can donate your wedding dress to Gift of a Wedding, which helps terminally ill patients and their family members create a memorable wedding day. The charity supports 3,100 people every year in Worcestershire, and it costs nearly PS10 million a year to operate. Another way to donate your wedding dress is to give it to Adorned in Grace, which sells pre-owned wedding dresses and other formal attire at its boutiques across the country. The proceeds from the sales help support sex trafficking awareness and other social justice initiatives. The store offers pick-up and drop-off services, and it accepts both new and gently used dresses.