Tue 3 Nov 2009
Want to create an heirloom? Use it
Posted by lizweston under Liz's Blog
[2] Comments
photo credit: Dax Melmer
You’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t store things you don’t use. What’s the good china for, after all, if it never graces the family table?
But Harry Rinker, HGTV’s “The Collector Inspector” and author of “Sell, Keep or Toss?,” just gave me another perspective on why we want to use our precious things. Putting the china on the table or using your Grandmother’s candlesticks or reading to your kids from your own childhood books helps your children create memories around these items. When it comes time to pass them down, your children are much more likely to want the stuff that has strong memories associated with it–rather than stuff that’s been sitting in boxes their whole lives.
My husband’s aunt just gave us the Winnie the Pooh books she loved as a child. Although they’re in delicate condition, we’re going to start reading them to our daughter, so she’ll have another way to remember her great aunt.
I’d love to hear what you’re doing to create family memories.
This reminds me of the short story, Everyday Use by Alice Walker. The memories of precious things certainly make them more special. I have several of my Grandmother’s dishes, including her cast-iron skillet. In the South, that is one of the most important pieces of the kitchen & every use reminds me of her & her cooking. I have my aunt’s copy of Little Women & I can’t wait to share it someday with my own daughters. Those things are much more special than the china in the box. Thank you for the reminder!
Thanks for sharing those memories.