【Germany】Fun Fact: Too many items to dispose of? Leave them at your doorstep, and they will magically disappear!

In Germany, when you’re moving or accidentally get rid of something you no longer need, a common practice is to leave it at your doorstep. Within 10 minutes, the items will magically disappear on their own!

Germans have a remarkable habit of giving away unwanted items instead of throwing them away. When I was living in a dorm, I often saw boxes in the hallway labeled “Frei” or “Geschenk,” which means “free” or “gift” in German. People would leave items they no longer needed in the box, and anyone passing by could take whatever they wanted. The items ranged from pens to small appliances, and it all depends on your luck whether you find something you need.

This practice isn’t limited to dorms; you can also find items on the street in front of people’s houses. Clothing, kitchenware, and furniture (not too big, though) are all up for grabs. Of course, this isn’t a common occurrence, and it also depends on your luck. I have a friend who found a small sofa and, after cleaning it up, found it very comfortable to sit on.

I’ve also left items outside before, such as an unused toaster. I left it at my doorstep while I went grocery shopping, and when I returned in less than 30 minutes, the item had disappeared! The whole process felt magical.

If you’re ever in Germany with too many things to handle, you can try this magical method of leaving items at your doorstep or take a stroll around the neighborhood to see if you can find any interesting items.