Is This a Family Heirloom?
If you have found your way here, chances are you are wondering what to do with those treasured, or maybe not so treasured, family heirlooms. Dealing with family heirlooms can feel overwhelming. The most bizarre artifacts can hold the stories, memories, and moments of your life or that of someone you’ve loved dearly. Figuring out what to do with them can stir feelings of loss, betrayal, and sadness. But it can also fill you with gratitude, love, and fondness.
Over the past several years, I have been helping families deal with their sentimental stuff. The one emotion that everyone feels, including myself, is overwhelm. Whether you are going through your own treasures, or those of a loved one, making decisions on artifacts that hold so many memories is paralyzing.
However, my goal is to help you deal with the sentimental stuff in a way that reduces the overwhelm. I want you to move from feeling overwhelmed to overjoyed with family heirlooms. And, of course, I want you feel good about the decisions you make about them. No regrets, right? Over the coming weeks, I’ll be adding stories, tips, and resources to help you through this difficult journey of deciding out what to do with your or a loved one’s family heirlooms. So be sure to subscribe to this blog or follow me on social media so you don’t miss any of it!
What is a Family Heirloom?
If we talk about family heirlooms, let’s start with a clear definition of a family heirloom.
Heirloom (noun):
– Webster’sWebster’s Dictionary
something of special value handed down fromone generation to another
The key phrase in the definition is “”special value”” a highly subjective term. It means the pet rock grandpa painted with you when you were a kid in 1974 can be far more valuable to you than the expensive computer it sits next to.
What’s the Difference Between Antiques and Heirlooms?
Often people assume heirlooms are antiques, and antiques are heirlooms. This is not true.
Antiques are old objects that are valued for their aesthetic or historical significance. They may be works of art, pieces of furniture, or other types of things that have been made or used in the past. Antiques are often collected because of their rarity, beauty, or cultural significance.
On the otherhand, an heirloom can be any object that has sentimental value and is passed down within a family. This could be jewelry, clothing, or household items. They may be antique objects, but not all heirlooms are antiques.
Some examples of typical family heirlooms include:
- Antique furniture – pieces that have been passed down through generations and may have significant sentimental or historical value
- Jewelry – such as wedding rings, necklaces, or other pieces that have been in the family for a long time
- Artwork or collectibles – including paintings, sculptures, or other decorative items that have been passed down through the family
- Books – mainly if they are old or rare editions that have been in the family for a long time.
- Photos and other memorabilia – such as old letters, postcards, or other items that help to preserve the family’s history.
My own heirloom collections are a bit more eclectic and include things like:
- silver spoons
- vintage kitchen items
- glass paperweights
- travel tchotchkes
- iron door stoppers
(Check out my Instagram to see some of these items.)
Why Should I Care About All This “Stuff”?
If you are here, you probably already care about family heirlooms. But perhaps you are helping others decide what to do with someone else’s “stuff .” One typical response to feeling overwhelmed in dealing with another person’s lifetime of treasures is to “get rid of it.” Often it’s easier to send things to the dump or the donate pile than think about their significance as a family heirloom. But, it is at least worth a pause to consider the fate of these family artifacts before you quickly discard them.
- Family heirlooms can provide a connection to your family’s history and heritage.
- They can be sentimental and emotionally valuable, helping to preserve memories of loved ones. See how to Create A Nostalgic Christmas Tree Your Family Will Love With Old Family Photos.
- Heirlooms can also be a source of inspiration or a way to teach future generations about the past. Check out a few ideas on how to How to Safeguard Family Stories here.
- They can have significant financial value, especially if they are rare or antique.
- Preserving family heirlooms can also help to keep family and cultural traditions alive.
What Should I Do With My Family Heirlooms?
So now that you’ve paused to thoughtfully consider the importance of these family heirlooms and artifacts, here are a few ideas of what you can do with them.
- Keep them: If you have sentimental feelings for the heirlooms, keep them! You can use them in new and unexpected ways or use them into your home decor. Want some decor ideas? Check out how Bring Out Your Patriotic Heirlooms This Fourth of July or What Secrets Does This Vintage Mantel Clock Hold? to get some ideas.
- Pass them down: If you have children or other family members interested in the heirlooms, consider passing them down to the next generation. This can be a meaningful way to preserve family history and traditions. Just remember, some of the things we used in the past may contain lead and should not be used for eating or drinking.
- Donate them: If you don’t have any sentimental attachment to the heirlooms and don’t have anyone in your family who wants them, consider donating them to a museum or other cultural institution. This can help to preserve the heirlooms and make them available for others to appreciate.
- Sell them: If you are interested in finding out the value of the heirlooms and potentially making some money from them, consider selling them. There are many ways to sell heirlooms, including online marketplaces, antique dealers, and auctions.
Ultimately, your best option will depend on your circumstances and preferences.
Follow for More Family Heirloom Information
Subscribe to this blog to learn more about how to deal with your family heirlooms and switch from feeling overwhelmed to overjoyed with family heirlooms. If you aren’t following me on socials, you can find me at @heirloomexplorer
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about how to go about exploring, keeping, donating, selling, and sharing your family heirlooms. Stay tuned!
Important!
If you know someone who resonates with caring for family heirlooms, please share this with them. Thank you!
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