I do exactly the same. I have ornaments that must be at least 100 years old that my mother brought over from Germany. Some of them have the concave windows broken but they still go on the tree every year.

I have paper ornaments my daughters made in pre-school and kindergarten. They are adults now with children of their own.Every year I put the ornaments on the tree and they just become more valuable.

I have 2 glass balls from my mother's grandmother, I don't know how old they are, but she died when mum was a girl, so at least 100 years old; most likely from the mid-1800's. Those are carefully packed... maybe for GS when he grows up.

A couple years ago, I gulped and discarded all the chipped, raggedy, and a few frankly ugly momento types. Some were easily 50 years old. I don't miss them. Actually, it was with a silent sigh of relief that I packed away only those ornaments that actually have a meaning for me AND look as good as the meaning. I think this may be on par with clearing a shelf on the bookcase.... thinking about tossing and actually tossing are painful, but oh how much better the area looks once the deed is done.

When I was little we had beautiful glass ornaments made in Germany. I especially remember the lovely glass birds. My Dad was in World War 1 and when
World War 11 began he destroyed all the ornaments that were from, Germany.I had three brothers who were in the Seconmd Wolrd War.