I've also gone through that sitation and still do; though in our case, we really don't have much extra space to store things we don't use. If something has value, I try to sell on Craigslist and have had much satisfaction that route meeting others who will reuse my stuff. Other items, don't seem to have much resale value, don't match my style as they have an "ethnic" flavor from family members trips, and I do confess to having a few boxes stashed away that I'd really like to dispose of but doesn't seem suitable to donate to a shelter or Goodwill.

I think if you have the space and things have sentimental value, I'd box, write on outside of box what it contains and store it. Future generations in your family may appreciate them and the stories they tell. I do agree, though, about the linens, duvets, etc. I'd find a nice women's shelter and dontate them.

My friend taught me years ago that there is no sense having things you don't use. So she returned the china she got as a wedding gift and bought stoneware. She bought really pretty glasses to drink out of and serves coffee and tea in really fancy cups. She uses this stuff every day.

I have tried to keep up with that myself but must admit I have a box here or there. After we get our new furniture I will purge the remnants. If I cannot find homes I will donate them. Someone else will at least use these items and enjoy them. We have a set of Tiffany fake lamps that have not been used for 10 yrs just in case we might need them. Helloooooo, 10yrs.

One thing you can do is rotate things. Decide what to keep and put a date on box so you know when to rotate it in.

As for the pearls from mom, wow. I would hate to part with those. If you can pass them down I would do it now so you can see the person appreciating them. You could somehow display them in a dressing area?? Oh, oh, how about shadow box frame them? Get them insured though just in case.

I have the Catholic medallion that my grandfather wore. It tells doctors he is Catholic and to call a priest if he is dying or dead. It must be 100 yrs old and is really worn but cool as ever. I also have my beloved uncle's ring. I gave my dd the Goofy socks I gave my uncle when I was 12. He never wore them but they were in his effects after he passed away. They must have really meant something to him to have kept them.

"Is my desire to purge unnecessarily strong?" I think it's healthy. Why hold on to things, no matter how nice they are, if you won't be using or at least admiring them? Someone else can use them, & won't it make you feel good to know your stuff is being used and cherished, not just sitting in a closet or a box?

I routinely round up things and donate them. Before I moved from another state 5 years ago, I gave away a whole house of stuff. I try of course, not to accumulate a lot in the first place, but sometimes my affection for certain things just expires. I have a very low tolerance (or storage space for) "extra." "Extra" turns very rapidly and sneakily into big-time clutter.

Sometimes I put things on sale at consignment stores too, but mostly I donate. Have donated three cars in as good condition as the one I currently am driving. Have donated two beautiful pianos. Lots of furniture, art, dishes, bakeware and home decor accessories. None of it was junk. Most of it was nicer than what you see at a typical yard sale. I just figure the money was already been spent for the thing, I got my use out it, so I can easily let it go. It's kind of fun to imagine other people getting a kick out of my stuff, & in return I get a less cluttered house.

As for you, I would put the nicer items you are speaking of on consignment and donate the rest. But I hope you feel better about not holding on to this stuff. Just remember, if something sincerely tugs at your heart strings, and you're really fond of it, even if you have to store it, then keep it! That's okay too!

Thanks, all. There is a happy medium to be had. Thankfully I do have space to store things. I'll just work to really minimize what needs to be stored. And I like the idea of a women's shelter for the linens rather than just the usual charity thrift store donation where the component pieces will never stay all together, anyway.

When I think about things like family china and crystal, the trouble is that there ARE no future generations. My dad was an only child. I have no kids (never will) and my brother is unmarried at 33, so isn't helping matters any. I think we're the last stop for our particular surname. There are stepkids, but the daughter doesn't need any of it and the boys, well, let's just say they'd pawn, sell or trade it within a week. I may put out some feelers to a couple second cousins who would enjoy having something of grandma's (their great aunt).

I struggle with this, in a bit of an opposite way. I'm a natural purger. If I have something, and I'm not using it, and haven't used it in the last few months, and don't know when I'll next use it -- out it goes. I do not really hold sentiment to inanimate objects.

It's hard for me to see a reason to keep something around. But there have been times when I've purged something, then maybe two years later it would be perfect to have again. Oh well.

Obviously I'm not in line to inherit much, because people know I will not keep it around very long.

I've just never connected memories and emotions to "things".

I just sold 75 books for $75; it's a start.

Why not take Mom's pearls to a jeweler and sell them if you haven't someone you'd like to give them to? I've seen so many homes where every surface, horizontal and vertical, is covered with "stuff", and it seems heavy and burdening to me. There are so many worthy charities out there also who do good things and could use donations to fund their projects. (I know, I'm the president of one, which of course I won't name.) Good luck getting comfortable with what you want to keep and what is just keeping you in a state of concern!

avesmor -

You make an interesting point. When I think about it, it's not that I'm necessarily attached to the "things" themselves. As the china and crystal go, I feel I'm sort of the unwilling mandatory conservator. It wouldn't bother me if I never saw that china and crystal again, but I feel like someone is going to call me in 20 years and say "what do you MEAN you don't still have that crystal -- little Susie should have that crystal!" That's why I'm thinking I'll contact the second cousins and see if there are any takers there. If not, I'll look into ebaying them.

I think my attachment to these other things isn't emotional or memory-based at all. It's financial! I just hate to toss something that is perfectly good and has value. But then I don't want to wake up in 10 years like Shannon and find that I have been storing my unwanted Tiffany-style lamps far too long!

Maybe you'd like to read this blog

Here is a link that might be useful: clutter

martha -

That's a good link. It makes a girl think. Thanks.

Unfortunately I have disappointed my mother many times by "tossing" things she assumed I would treasure always. (I'm an only child.)

Family possessions - I would open them up to other family members - ones I trusted to have an interest/investment in the items. ...as you've mentioned with cousins. I'm not big on charity (that sounds worse than I mean it) so giving it to charity is usually not something I consider unless I'm to the point where I truly 100% don't care. Let me clarify. I don't like giving it to charity as in, I have a principle issue with "retail" based charities. I have no problem taking something to an orphanage. The local animal rescues get all of our discarded pillows, blankets, etc.

It's probably easier said than done, but I would say - just don't let yourself feel obligation to keep things. (My mother is a master of imparting that feeling!!!)

Maybe you can start gifting items to family. :) What? No, I really thought you'd enjoy those twin brass sconces from auntie for your birthday...

I never pipe in... I'm here to learn from all of you. I do have an idea here, though, that I use personally. I give things that I don't need anymore away to individuals, rather than a donation bin somewhere.
If I don't personally know someone in need of the item I have, I let a few close friends know, and ask them to keep their eyes out. Back in the day, I was on the receiving end of such grace, and have never forgotten how grateful I was to receive such blessings.
Another idea is to give the items to a women's shelter. What battered woman starting over wouldn't treasure something really nice, when starting over? If you've ever had to "start over," you'll know it's usually with true junk.
Would be nice to cover up at night, or wrap my children up, in something special!

For those of you who haven't had the experience yet, let me tell you that even a committed non-hoarder will hoard when her mother dies. That's one class of "things" that is hard to deal with. Despite all my sorting, and family meetings for "take what you want", I stood sobbing like a baby as the Goodwill men starting to take things away. This happened to me 9 years ago. I have slowly been able to part with most of the meaningless personal effects. But- there is a closet. It holds figurines, hand mades, etc from my mother and my grandmother. Every once in a while I go in the closet and look at everything to decide if there is someone who would treasure the things more than I.

The other class of "stuff" that I can't donate or sell is my art collection. All originals, all perfect for their time and place in my life, all waiting "just in case" I re-enter a MCM, Deco, Modern period where I need "just the perfect art." It probably won't happen. However, I give more than my fair share to charity, and I just don't feel ready to give up any of my loves. That's how it is with good art, yes?

Just so you folks know, there surely are small charities who are not "retailing" your donations and who pay their board members absolutely nothing; mine can't be the only one in the country. We're made up of people who want to volunteer to feed people, do recycling, teach kids, clean highways, visit vets, and work in a community garden. We have a yard sale once a year that helps buy more groceries and Christmas presents for kids. If you notice your local paper's mention of little volunteer groups you may see some local group whose mission doesn't include having salaried people sitting behind desks; I don't like to give to them either. The women's shelter idea is lovely, I think.

I struggled w/ the same thing up to about 2yrs ago.

I don't know what happened.

In the past whatever nobody wanted I took. Who knows how it can be used later on right? I had bags of kids clothing, toys, furniture, linens......

It was like peeling back the layers of an onion. Soon I'd finally found my groove into my own decor style that has 'me' written all over it. Then it seemed to overflow into everything else I did. My wardrobe, what my kids really needed, what I really needed - etc. Suddenly I was donating things left and right w/ my new found confidence and not regretting the things that I was letting go.

I started w/ a massive yard sale, made a few hundred bucks and made prior arrangements to have anything leftover picked up by Purple Heart. I donated 35 boxes of clothing and knick knacks to them and took 2 truck loads of toys, furniture, lamps, curtains and evening gowns to another local charitable organization.

I'm still going through everything and every month have Purple Heart come out and pick up a medium load. If there's a moment of hesitation when I pick something up then I pack it away. Am I still thinking about it weeks and months later? Still looking for that perfect spot? Then I shouldn't get rid of it but it doesn't mean that it has to be out.

My mind became clearer when I first started purging and a 2 years later I'm at peace w/ letting stuff go as I've uncovered a new me!

I'd tried purging in the past but I think that due to my lack of not knowing 'me' I made some rash decisions and let some things go that made me sad.

About the pearls, I keep thinking when I am old, I might want them. Afterall, they're so old lady! But I might not either. That seems to be the problem with most things in my basement.
It has taken me 10 years to get rid of my mother's stuff and then not all. In the apartment basement where my Dad lives, we moved all their bedroom furniture in just like it was at their house - she died the same day we moved btw- and one of the bedside tables remains untouched inside.

I can open those drawers, full of junk jewelery and be transported right back to the house I grew up in and their bedroom. They had the house for 28 years and that was my childhood home.
Someday...
Oh, I have few to no hoarding qualities unless this year canned pumpkin counts!

Jakabedy, if you go the donation route, you may want to google 'thrift store' to check if there is one that supports a cause that you particularly support. By doing that I found one near me that use the funds to help wildlife in our area and rehab raptors. I'm sure they get overlooked a lot since they're a small outfit so I was happy I did a little research and found them.

I'm in the clean out and rid of it mode around here. Recently I gave away a few things on Freecycle and on Craig's List. Then I drove to the nearest Goodwill Center and gave away several boxes of linens, clothing and small household items. Just this week I bagged up a bunch of things for Viet Vets who do a regular curb-side pickup.

Avesmore, like you I'm an only child. My mom has passed away and my dad is in assisted living and can't visit our home anymore. I'm slowly giving away things that I took when they sold their two homes, and it's simply not easy to give away things that they cherished but I don't like! But I do it.

My daughters don't want the stuff either so there's no sense in packing it up and putting it in the attic. My next project is to sell Llardro, Lenox and other items on Ebay. The consignment shops don't want the stuff either!

Re: china and silverware. I use mine all the time. There's no such thing as a special occasion here...every day is special. My mom's Royal Worcester Evesham gets more use from me than it ever did from her.

Cleaning/purging/getting rid of nice things is ok. It really is and you'll feel so much better when it's gone!

bonnieann, I also have Royal Worcester Evesham! We use it everyday also, it seemed senseless to keep it in the hutch and never use it. Only problem is it can't go in the dishwasher because of the gold rims, with other stuff that takes a heavier wash. We like it because it reminds us of our trips to rural England.

I worked with a woman who had married a G.I. and moved here from England. She said she had moved all her childhood memorablia when she moved and had collected lots of belongings since that time. Then she had a house fire. She said she learned very quickly what was important and what was not. Things were never important to her again, especially compared to the lives of her family. I always think of her when I'm tempted to keep stuff I don't need. I ask myself if I'd replace it if it burned in a fire. The answer is almost always no. Would you miss that set of dishes that belonged to some relative?

My MIL had probably fifty coats in her attic when she died. She kept them in case someone ever needed them. No one ever did and when she died we had to throw them away because they had disintegrated from the heat and dry air. What a waste.

I would try to consign the antiques and possibly the linens too if they're really high quality. If not, I'd donate them and be done with it.

After college, I lived in a NYC studio apartment. Every purchase for this place was thought out almost to the point of not buying a new outfit unless something was purged from the closet. This habit of keeping only things that I need/use (along with some that are sentimental/valuable) has basically stayed with me even though I now have plenty of space.

It just so happens I loaded my trunk again this morning for another trip to Goodwill (Croscill duvet set with matching bedskirt, blender, upholstered footstool; all in good condition). I get the tax write-off, but I especially love getting these forgotten items out of the house. It's a freeing feeling!

My kids stuff overtake our home even though I do kids consignment sales. It builds up so quickly, but my boys will help go through their things and give me the ones they no longer play with. On the other hand, DH has difficulty parting with anything. I dread the day when we go to move and have to go through all the boxes in our basement of DH's junk. Sometimes I think I could dispose of a lot of it and he'd never notice. Hmmmm.....

When I debate whether to keep something or not, one question I ask myself is if I want to pay a mortgage on storage.

I don't recommend disposing of any of your husband's stuff. The consequences just aren't worth it... unless getting rid of a spouse would be freeing, too. The best you can do is be a good example.

We did the very same thing, sold the house and got rid of everything inside a 3500sf home and moved into our motorhome. First couple of things were really hard to let go but it got easier and easier. Now we don't regret living on the road.

We regret that we did not contact the Womens Center for battered women who are starting out on their own, they would have love some much of what we just threw out.

We took 32 SUV loads to Goodwill. And in the end, the kids had a huge bonfire and burned some of the junk.

We laugh now, that we sent 30 years collecting 'stuff' only to get rid of it later. Imagine if we didn't make all the purchases and had put the money into a retirement fund!!!

Remember, its really just stuff that you cannot take with you.

I adore pearls of all sorts and kinds! :)

Just so fresh and lovely -- and I've heard that real ones literally "take on" even more luster when worn ...

And I have just faux ones -- and fun ones! :)

Think of True Style -- like Coco Chanel and her "ropes" of pearls!

And pearls look wonderful with everything -- big white shirt over a slim white tee, jeans, flats and pearls. Classic!

Or how about a wonderful slim black pencil skirt, classic white shirt, high red pumps and pearls!

Of course - a LBD (little black dress), very high heels and pearls -- and then add a wonderful cashmere shawl! And an elegant slip of a purse!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Oh I hear you Jan, but all that says stuffy to me!
Maybe I've been reading "How Not to Look Old" a few too many times! She says ditch the pearls.

I would probably keep the pearls or else sell them to a jeweler who specializes in estate pieces.

I just posted about a large framed print that no longer works for us. Got some good ideas: Habitat, Goodwill, donate to a school or senior center, group yard sale.

My mother was not a packrat and was quite the purger. Thank goodness I inherited this from her. Now DH feels one should NEVER give away a gift, so there are several hideous things around that have no purpose or fit our home. MIL is also horrible about keeping things she doesn't need, so I see where he gets it from.

Jakebedy, I have a necklace that was my great aunt's wedding present and a pocket watch that belonged to my great uncle. They had no children and this was actually given to me by my aunt, who also has no children. They are both in a shadow box with a picture of them. She is wearing the necklace and you can see the chain of his pocket watch. It hangs on my wall and I think it is a neat way to remember my ancestors. So maybe some relative WOULD appreciate some of your family treasures. I do have to say I also have a small covered dish that this great aunt gave me when I was a little girl. It's probably not worth anything but it's still something that reminds me of her.

I would take the pearls to a jeweler and consider having them restrung or redesigned into several pieces. Perhaps a pair of pearl studs, a pair of pearl dangle earrings, maybe a cool bracelet with the diamond clasp as a centerpiece, and a âÂÂtin cupâ necklace - hardly stuffy! Pearls, as teacats so passionately pointed out, are classic, like gold or silver. They are never out of style, as they are a gift of nature.

As for the rest, I think we all benefit from remembering, hard as it can be sometimes, that things are just things. The meaning is not in them, but in the memories. I have some pieces of jewelry from my mom and grandmother, my dadâÂÂs army insignia, a bracelet of my dear late MIL that I treasure, and wear. But I would not keep my motherâÂÂs china or crystal, just because it is hers - I have my own which I love far more than I do the things she chose. Not that they donâÂÂt evoke memories, but I have those memories without holding on to boxes of Lenox china.

Unless you really want to keep those things for your own satisfaction, I would donate or sell them and be free of the burden they represent.

I'm annoyed with the way my local Goodwill store operates. They get SO many donations they've stopped acting like they appreciate it. Donations are piled high outside the store because there's no place inside for receiving. There are also giant dumpsters out there ready to hurl whatever they don't want into...which is done while you're still there unloading! Talk about insulting.

There are smaller thrift shops out there, it doesn't have to go to Goodwill. They would be happy to take your nicer donations, places like the American Cancer Society shop for instance. Everyone's competing against Goodwill because that's where most people think to unload their stuff. But there are other organizations. Perhaps you'll feel better donating to one of those, especially the more expensive items too good to bring to Goodwill.

I reserve old towels and blankets now for the humane society. When I get a bag full I drive those directly to the animal shelter and boy do they need those items. Most aninal rescue organizations need donations like these, all you have to do is check their "wishlist".

jakabedy, I forgot to add that I'm in your situation too with no heirs. That actually helps me to part with things because I can't say, "I should save this for the grandkids". What's the point, it will all get sold off when I die anyway. Who's going to have scentimental attachment to anything great aunt mildred owned. They only want what belongs to their own mother or grandmother. Possessions belonging to other family members are usually disposed of. So why store what you'll never use because they won't want it either. When it belongs to you there are emotional ties making it harder to let go. But once it falls into distant relatives hands the only thing they'll be thinking is, "how much can I get for this?"

Is there some way you can repurpose the pearls? I have a pearl necklace that was given to me as a child by my godmother. They no longer work as a necklace (too small!) so I double them over and wear them as a bracelet and have gotten many compliments on them! Could you take the diamond clasp and have a ring made out of it or a brooch? Just a thought :)

I apologize jakabeby for hijacking your thread with a string of pearls!
I do need to have them restrung perhaps with a different clasp. I didn't mention that I also have several pearl and diamond earrings from Mom too, and I don't want more. But I appreciate the ideas!
Oh, and we also don't have children and neither does my brother. I don't have anyone to pass things down too.

When I die, I plan on leaving everything (if there's anything left!) to animal rescue organizations.

Purging is good for things you really will not use again.

Collectibles from the family, to me, just should not even be in the purging category. You may not be sentimental about the inherited pieces now, but honoring a gift from the family is exactly that...an honor. Either frame the items, re-purpose them or pass them on to other family members if you can or donate to your favorite charity.

jakabedy - I posted a response yesterday, but it seems to have evaporated. Haven't had a chance to read all of the suggestions since yesterday afternoon!

Anyhoo, being a huge purger (the only one in our home), I would donate the linens either to a women's shelter or your local animal shelter. Either would greatly appreciate linens. Neither charity ever has enough of those.

The pearls. I like the suggestion of re-inventing them into something you will wear, or the shadow box idea is a good one too. I wear my pearls daily. Different types, colors, etc., but if you don't know what to do with them... you can mail them to me! I'll make sure they're worn and cared for! LOL

The antiques I would box up and date. Perhaps you might change up your decorating at some point and would appreciate having kept the box. I have two boxes of good things, family pieces, etc. that I do change in/out depending on my decorating mood!

Pick a charity you like and donate. It is a win/win. Get a receipt and include it when you file your taxes!

beez - no worries! Pearls or clay pitchers or grandma's china . . . it's all the same. I've injoyed the various paths this thread has taken.

bumble- you crack me up! I started to wonder about the hoarding thing- lol. Just as I did I read your clarification that you are only hoarding pumpkin. Seriously, can one EVER have too much of that? Yum

Wow. Very timely thread for me. I'm in the middle of unpacking after moving into our new house. The bulk of our stuff had been in storage for the last 15 months since our relocation, and now as I unwrap some stuff, I'm wondering why the heck I didn't sell it in the pre-move garage sale or get rid of it in the many trips to Goodwill or the Animal Shelter rummage sale last year.

Most of the stuff is MY stuff--things I still like but am having a hard time finding a place for in the new place (same size house). I'll probably hang on to most for now while I decide how the house wants to be decorated (my tastes haven't changed, so this makes sense to me). I've only been here 1 month.

The other things are old items from the past like mentioned here--china, old crystal, etc., from long-passed relatives. And, we don't have any children to pass them to either. I was just wondering the other day if my one niece wouldn't like something of her great-grandmother's (who she barely remembers), hoping I could "unload" that way. I just don't know if I can put some of those pieces out for Goodwill. I have stuff from great-grandparents that died in 1910--I just love the history of it all (and I'm the "family genealogist", so maybe that explains it). I'll hold on to the really old things probably until I die unless there's a relative out there who wants them. Some of the items have little pieces of numbered paper stuffed in them to identify them--unfortunately in the move, the master list that tells the story got lost!

Anyway, I'm feeling somewhat stressed over all this stuff, and I realize that's no way to live. I've enjoyed reading others' thoughts on the matter, and now maybe I'll bravely place a few good, well-liked pieces into the Goodwill box and see how that feels......

One of the things about living in an old modest sized home, with limited closet space.
is you simply can not hold on to things that aren't being utilized.

-On rare occasions I have Salvation Army come and haul stuff away. Now that we have several 20 somethings, they are always in need. The 22 DD USMarine gets a little box each week from us - this week it was some pots/pans, kitchen utensils, and new little cutting board and oven mit.

- I give our 7yo dd clothing to the cleaning lady - who has a little girl - She is much appreciative of this gesture & I know it is going to a good home.
- The gentleman who does our dry cleaning is very involved with his church community & has a large family of his own - He will come out & take/pick up just about anything. I still cringe when I think about DH giving our old kitchen metal cabs away :( - I had paint & was ready to re-purpose them.
- Son & Dtr in law - get furnishings that we no longer use, but still have good life left.
- The lawn maintenance guy gets dh's gentle used clothing & shows big appreciation

Each time I know I will encounter one of the above (and others) it jogs my mind to run & get a care package. I do keep a care package pile in the basement.

I find it very rewarding & emancipating

bumblebeez, you really might want to re-think those pearls. I totally disagree with the opinion that pearls are "old lady". I think they are beautiful and classic and they make your skin look lovely. I have a really beautiful string of pearls and I get compliments on them often.

For me the nesting/acquiring phase came with being a young bride creating a home and raising children.

As the children left and I got older, I grew intolerant and resentful of spending my precious time maintaining this excess stuff. I entered my purging phase.

Between the phases were the deaths of both in-laws and my teenage son. Dealing with all their belongings was a monumental physical and emotional project.

For the in-laws I watched my DH and siblings sort, donate and dump (two large dumpsters for a small bungalow in a retirement community). I resolved not to put my only child through a similar situation when it was time to clean out my house.

When I was finally ready to tackle my younger son's room a wise friend gave me excellent advice--take pictures of everything. The pictures sit in their Kodak envelopes if I want to look at them.

Letting go isn't always an easy task. Take a picture of those pearls and give them to someone in the family who has a warm and wonderful memory of your mother wearing them.

I am going to keep the pearls.
This thread has helped cement that in my mind at least. So thank you everyone!
I will have them restrung perhaps with a different clasp.

Unfortunately, my family is tiny and there really is no one to give them to.

And I'll start wearing them again.

even a committed non-hoarder will hoard when her mother dies.

pamelah , you really strike a chord! I was in the same place when my mother died, and then my father. I still have most of the things in my basement. Most have been there now for over 6 years. Only a year of so ago, after finally getting a dining room set, did I bring up her treasured china and crystal to use. But I too have little figurines, etc., which are not my style, but I am not ready to donate.

Only bring the pearls to a very reputable jeweler. There have been many reports regarding the substitution of pearls when they are being restrung.

Oh, I don't need that headache!

This is a great thread and many good suggestions for disposing of things---I have a houseful !!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage----- I loved your post about Pearls----I have a great book which I think most pearl lovers would love to read. I got mine on amazon.com
the name is "People and Pearls"---the magic endures----
authors-----Ki Hackney and Diana Edkins

I have all kinds of pearls from Mikimoto to some cheap necklaces I got on e-bay from Hong Kong---one cultured pearl necklace was only $ 4.50 ---I call these cheap pearls my "gardening and working around the house" pearls - LOL

When I was 60 I said I would start to get rid of clutter when I turned 70---now here I am almost 81 and still trying to part with "my treasures"----I realize how difficult it will be for my children to get rid of all this stuff---I better get busy.

Florence

I think if the pearls give you no joy, and there is no one to leave them to with a strong connection to you or your mother, then sell them and take a nice vacation with the money. Raise a toast to mom every day on your trip and let her know you appreciate the gift. The person who buys the pearls will be someone like me who adores old jewelry and is excited to wear them. They do no one any good hidden away.

Our high school's DECA club (business students) run a garage sale every year. I find that a great place for things that are not worth selling on ebay and would not be candidates for CL. I also freecycle all year and find some things do not go. Even if someone pays 50 cents for something, that is money the club gets and the purchaser gets something they want and keeps it out of the landfill. Of course, many things are worth more than 50 cents, but that is just an example.
I also give out bedding and linens for animal rescue and on freecycle.
You may want to offer out stuff on Facebook and see if anyone you know wants something. That would be a good way to repurpose inexpensive things that you would feel guilty throwing out but have no use for. You never know who collects state bells, spoons, etc... I try not to have any "collections" but do have objects that I cherish and enjoy. Once it becomes a "collection" such as Lladro or Hummels, it no longer feels unique and I lose interest.

You can also do a cheap garage sale and put low prices on things. For some reason some people value things they pay for more than things that are free. Think of the kid whose parents foot the bill for college vs the one who pays their own way.... At the end of the day, put s "FREE" sign out and let people take the remnants.

My husband gave me a beautiful string of pearls with a saphire clasp for christmas last year...guess I'm old lady :) But then my newest piece of jewelry is probably 1950 with most of it being 1880's...so perhaps I"m just an old lady at heart :) I love jewelry with history. Sell it and enjoy the vacation...and know that the person who buys it is probably someone like me who will cherish it as much as the original family member of yours did.

As to purging...well frankly, I like stuff :oP I love all the stuff ya'll donate to charity because I haunt the goodwill and habitat store looking for it. I use it daily and it makes me feel good.

But that said...I rather enjoy purging too, but perhaps that's linked to the fact that I bought a huge house full of someone elses "stuff". I happily donate items to habitat. I like the tax deduction, and I love the feeling of doing something positive for a charity I support. I also do put things outside with a "free" sign (because I think it's cute how people will take ANYTHING!...no one does that in Alaska) but most of those are children's things (which must be taken during school hours so DS does not see it LOL).

That reminds me...I have a slide for free to put out tomorrow when he's napping LOL

My one hoarded...hang on, I don't know, thing is my son's cloths and cloths I purchased for a set of twins we lost. I thought we were going to adopt or have another child and now that we've give up on that I have to open the boxes. I have literally dozens of large boxes full of lovely cloths, regular stuff, and brand new things for the babies we expected. I know I have to get to that stuff...it takes up a huge amount of space, both physically and emotionally, but I haven't quite gotten into the zone to be able to do that one.

Maybe we should make a pledge...those of us who have some purging to do...I'm peronally going to get through those cloths and give them to someone who needs them within the first quarter of 2011. Jak...maybe you should empty the barn by then LOL Ok that's probably asking too much heh heh

igloo -

The barn actually isn't looking too bad right now! DH could actually park his Karmann-Ghia in there over the winter now. A Craigslist buyer is supposed to come tomorrow to buy the "spare" riding mower and its attachments (hallelujah!!) and that will help a lot. But I still have stuff in the carport. I whittled the small antiques down to three boxes and I am just going to put those back in the barn attic for now. DH's boys and their wives are going to come look through the rugs, suitcases and newer decor items and linens and see if they want any of them.

I am going to keep the pearls because I might change my mind about them. I don't hate them just don't love them.
The money would not be enough to make me sell them unless I was desperate or really, really hated them.

My grandmother gave me my first strand of pearls when I turned 16. Now, I have hers and my mother's. I wear them and don't consider them "old lady" at all. I used to until several 20-something teachers at my school began wearing them-lol. Try pairing them with a classic white shirt, inside the shirt that is unbuttoned enough to show them when you move! I also wear mine with a black suit (no shirt under the jacket-just a camisole that doesn't show) for times when I need to be more dressed up. I am glad you have decided to keep yours!

An important point to consider on when you are 'saving things' for future generations is whether they are the types of people who enjoy that type of thing. I, for one, have seen my MIL struggling with disposing the MANY things that my late FIL 'saved' for my hubby and his brother. Neither wanted alot of the stuff so she is stuck disposing of it. I can see the same thing happen when she passes as only one of her daughters is still living and she lives quite a distance and does not come home often.

So keep things you know they will treasure (or give it to them now) or get rid of it as not to burden.