Unwatched children's DVDs can be given a new life and enjoyed by other kids by donating them to the nonprofit Kid Flicks. Founded by four sisters with the mission to build an entertainment library of kids' films at hospitals across the country, Kid Flicks accepts lightly used DVDs. It also arranges to have collections donated to hospitals not only in the United States, but also all over the world. Just box up your unwanted children's DVDs and send them to the organization. They'll take flicks aimed for toddlers to teens. It's that simple. Learn more at kidflicks.org.

Essential oils can be an easy way to add a pleasant scent to a room or to make homeopathic remedies at home. But know what you're buying the next time you're perusing the health food aisle. Labels that say "naturally derived" don't mean the oils actually came from plants or flowers; instead, it means the molecular structure of whatever flower or plant they are inspired by is replicated as a synthetic in a lab using the plant's actual DNA structure. In other words, it's artificial. Look for United States Department of Agriculture-certified organic essential oils to be sure you're getting the real thing.

If you have a collection of lightly used stuffed animals, consider donating them to help kids in need who can find comfort from them. The charity Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.) has a network of volunteers nationwide who accept stuffed animals and prepare them to be donated to homeless shelters, hospitals and other emergency aid organizations to comfort children. Visit the website stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org to find a local chapter near you to donate your collection. Many chapters also accept blankets and books -- note that none of them will accept battery-operated plush toys for safety reasons.