Last Updated on April 14, 2022
Learn What to do with those Sentimental Items with these different and unique ways.
The guilt trip
Have you heard this one before, “This was your Grandmothers, I want you to have it.”.
We have all heard that from our families at some point.
Here is what we have to remind them, “But that is not what I remember about my Grandmother nor can I use it or want it”.
Don’t guilt family into taking an item just because it was a beloved family members or passed down over generations.
We have to remember that most will not be interested in a item just because it was a family members.
Times are changing.
The way we live our lives is different today than it was even 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
Why we may hang on to things
Here’s the thing, each generation or person may have strong feelings toward a item or item’s for many reasons.
Great examples…
- The depression era- This is when everyone had to be creative and frugal while using up, wear it out, or doing without. So most people hung on to what ever they had, because you never know if you can use it some day or some where else.
- A special gift from someone.
- It was so expensive! This is a hard one for some people, and my dad is one that will not get rid of something that was really expensive 30 years ago. I always tell him, “But that was 30 years ago and you got 30 years of life out of that item.” Sometimes it is easier for them to let it go when you divide the cost up over how many years they have had it, give them that number. It might be easier for them to part with it.
Letting go
Be it Sentimental to you or other family members, it still might be hard to let it go.
You will part with it when you are ready, but don’t expect to pass it on to the next generation. Because, and this is the cold hard truth, they probably don’t want it.
Live with what you want to live with, but don’t burden others with your memories. Let them make their own memories.
Here are a few great idea’s on what to do with those sentimental items.
How to preserve those memories
If it’s just a item, take pictures of it. Then you can pass it on or donate it.
A good example is the below picture of a special cup I received from Grandmother, it broke, but I still have the picture of this special cup.
As you see, some items can not be saved, this is why I always take pictures of the very special items I receive from family and friends.
Downsizing
This is a great one for people downsizing or maybe someone moving into a nursing home….
Have everyone go through all the items in the home and decide what they might want. Each person tag the item and make a list with all the items and names. If there is more than one person that would love the item, do a drawing or do a bid on it. Don’t be surprised that there is items that no one will want, those can be Donated. Don’t be disappointed, remember there is always someone out there that might cherish that item as much as you, but it just might not be your family or friends.
Stage the home for a get together
Another idea, before you take everything out of the home. Set up all the precious items through out the house. Invite everyone over to use those items that you plan on letting go of. Take pictures of everyone enjoying those items. After all it’s not the item that is necessarily the memory it’s the family that is there to enjoy it.
And please remember to not be offended when someone doesn’t want your sentimental items.
Not everyone has the same sentimental value to a item as you do.
