When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. I finally decided I was ready to deal with her boxes, and fully equipped to do so, after APPO, which Ijoined years later, put the fear of God in me that letting them sit in my brothers shed forever was probably not the best idea. Its not unusual for a homes memorabilia pile to span multiple generations, including everything from antiques to handmade blankets, childrens artwork and an assortment of grammar school yearbooks. I have many sentimental small trinkets that I have a hard time parting with. Amazon also has a large selection of Keepsake boxes, including some boxes that similar to Savors. If you dont have anyone to ask, or you suspect theyll be more of a distraction than a help, call a NAPO or APPO professional organizer to help you. If something is special to you and you want the people you leave behind to know that, you need to tell them. Whether you love old fashioned paper crafts or using the latest in technology, there's a memory keeping solution that fits YOU perfectly! 2. I also had tons of baby stuff I kept and have now got a frame for each child on the wall as well with hospital bracelet, scan photo, lock of hair from first hair cut first outfit. Glad to hear this is helpful Bev! If you worry about offending a family member by getting rid of something, offer it to them! We just had no place for it nor did it fit with the decor or use as an everyday table. We tell each other what the item meant to us and then we can toss it. Pleasecontact mefor other types of reprint permission. Most of us have little piles (or giant collections) of memorabilia tucked away in our closets. If they really have no value to anyone but you, and youve decided to part with them, either donate them or throw them in the trash. THE FAMILY HISTORIAN genealogy #thememorycurator #memorykeeper #lifestories #photoorganizing #photomess #leavealegacy #keepsakes #memorabilia, How to organize keepsakes | I love this display! Scan paper and prints, then file the images in categorized memorabilia folders on your computer. The problem I see all too often, though, is that someone absorbs a loved ones entire household of furniture and belongings into their own home simply because they feel guilty getting rid of it, or they dont know what else to do with it. 4. You can photograph these items inside a SHOTBOX. Classifying items by type provides structure, which decreases the likelihood of becoming too emotionally overwhelmed, says Sheri McGregor, a life coach and author ofDone With the Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children. I travel to wonderful places, and I've always loved bringing back a piece of art paintings, sculptures) or folk art (carvings, clothing, knick knacks. How? But, technically, they are two different things: Memorabilia: Objects kept for their historical interest, especially those associated with memorable people or events. I've had to add to them a lot this past year. Or, at the very least youll be able to hear your own energy in your voice as you talk about it. The Save Your Photos blog has this important message about memorabilia: Documents, report cards, certificates, awards, trophies, newspaper articles, invitations, letters and other similar items contain dates and information that may contribute to your family timeline and unlock some of your photo mysteries. Join in and write your own page! Yes, please do, you never know how much this could be used and appreciated! 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In addition to the easy-to-find items, empty drawers, closets and other storage areas. Would your deceased loved one want to see you suffer? #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, It's can be a challenge to keep children's schoolwork under control! I dont work on it full time, by any means, and based on what Ive gathered atthe recent APPO annual conference, in Raleigh NC, this quantity of memorabilia and time involved is not that unusual. Are you having trouble finding what you want to look at, display, use, or share? Sometimes if you tell another person the story of an items significance, you can let it go. Consider sorting memorabilia with a trusted friend or family member who might be interested in the content and who understands that examining and letting go of memorabilia can be a difficult process. Best of luck to you in your organizing and decluttering! As always, make sure your photos are backed up by using Picture This Organizeds best photo backup practices. #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, Decluttering Sentimental Items :: How To Let Go - Tips for: #photoorganizing, #scanning, #legacy, #archiving, #archivalstorage, #heritage, #genealogy, #scrapbooking, & #memorykeeping, Lindsay's Sweet World: How to Organize All of Your Child's Keepsake Papers in Just One Box #thephotoorganizers #photoorganizing #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #keepsakes #memorabilia #memorykeeping #familyhistorian, Lindsay's Sweet World: How to Organize All of Your Child's School Papers in Just One Box #thephotoorganizers #keepsakes #memorabilia #school #photoorganizing #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #memorykeeping #familyhistorian #APPO, How to display your travel keepsakes #travel #memorabilia #keepsakes #thephotoorganizers #photoorganizing #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #keepsakes #memorabilia #memorykeeping #familyhistorian, organizing memorabilia #photoorganizing #leavealegacy, #familyhistorian #familyarchive #heritage #familyhistory #keepsakes #memorabilia. Deal with those first. letting go of some of the emotions which are keeping you chained to your clutter, Join in and write your own page! Plus, you'll get a free 12 month Declutter 365 calendar for 2022! Memorabilia is very overwhelming to deal with, both from a volume and emotional perspective, says Lisa Dooley, anorganizing coachand author ofMore Space, More Time, More Joy! Moms Boxes Part 9: Moms Good Silverware, Celebrating Introverts (and organizing them), Whats a Photo Without the Story? How much space does it occupy? Remember that you are looking for items that have the BEST energies of the past, items that make your heart smile. I've been getting rid of "stuff"--When I have a box with old school items-my kids say toss. My mom passed away in 2018, and she hoarded a bunch of family stuff. Would they want your home to be cluttered and unlivable? If items identified for release could be important to another family member or a museum, offer them to the person or institution. As you look through each piece, toss any duplicate items or pieces you cant remember, and keep the things that mean the most to you based on your own criteria. Are you ready to take a hard look at them? 2. (I keep a personal inventory spreadsheet that lists important items in my home, designates who will inherit what giving them permission to not keep it forever and gives strict instructions to sell or donate the rest.). This is certainly where my siblings and I sit with regards to our parents things and by default, our grandparents stuff. or keepsakes, you may want to toss the originals and just keep the digitized versions. Many of the collectibles gathered over a lifetime may not have much resale value anymore, says Luis Perez, CEO ofRemoov, a San Francisco-based company that helps people declutter. I have a journaling app that allows you to attach photos. #photorestoration #photopreservation #archivalstorage #photoorganizers #thephotoorganizers #thememorycurator #heritagemakers #leavealegacy #memorykeeping #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorabilia. You may find at this point that you dont need to keep some of the original piece of memorabilia. and getting rid of, extra belongings can make it easier to downsize, clean a home and entertain guests. Good luck with all of Moms boxes! Phone: (406) 752-9624 It's easier if the item is about to fall apart or something like that. Books that the previous owner may not ever have read, or enjoyed, but were sitting on their shelves when they died. (Why keep the memories to yourself if youre the one who is in possession of them? As someone at the beginning of decluttering our large home in preparation for retirement, or at leastmoving into an apartment, we, like many friends, are dealing with the added, painful issues of what to keep from the home of close relatives who have passed away, says Joel Poznansky, 61, who lives in Bethesda, Md. Thank you for the link and suggestion. I have a lot of sentimental items and heirlooms. Sentimental clutter is the hardest clutter to part with, Cohen explains. like tickets, wristbands hotel door cards. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7f6a566b792fec168f1478ee7313760" );document.getElementById("b7440113a5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); ENTER your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email. By going through this process slowly and carefully, youll be able to tell a story that lasts for generations. Weve all inherited and collectedkeepsakesand memorabilia. If technology is your thing, try Keepy, an app available for Apple iOS and Android that lets you archive your childs artwork with phone or tablet. The SHOTBOX is a collapsable, hard-shelled light box that acts as a wonderful, well-lit stage for your item. All this stuff was just in a bag and was never looked at so now they hang in the hall and every time I go down/up stairs I see something different and when dusting I give the frame a little shake to move items around. One thing we did that worked for us as we readied the house for sale was to work hard at finding a next life for anything we felt was useful. Scroll down to continue reading article , 30 Top Productivity Apps for iPhone (2022 Updated). I have converted some of my memories and trinkets into ornaments. I think knowing your goal helps keep the finish line in sight. And, its not uncommon for people to put things aside to sell, but never make those arrangements because they dont know the best way to do it. , an app available for Apple iOS and Android that lets you archive your childs artwork with phone or tablet. Are yours a legacy, or a liability? Redirect items. But what should be done with a stack of boxes containing memorabilia stashed in a closet? Weve had to make some decisions for our other brothers who, also fortunately, trust us to make them. It gives me the chance to look at them and remember them every year. How long has it been since you dealt with your own memorabilia? Explore the POSSIBILITIES in this article by The Memory Curator #thememorycurator #pictures #photo #photography #memories #legacy #canvas #diy #photobook #journal #photogifts #scrapbook #collage #kidsart, How to Secure Items in a Shadow Box | #shadowbox #modernmemorykeeping #memorabilia #thememorycurator #organizing #homeorganizing #photoorganizing #keepsakes, What to do with Old Photos, Letters, Kid's Papers and Other Stuff: #thememorycurator #pictures #photo #photography #memories #legacy #archive #photoorganizing #scanning #memorykeeping #memorabilia #keepsakes #saveyourphotosmonth #saveyourphotos #tidying, De-Clutter Challenge: What to Do with Kids' Artwork - Creative Green Living #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, Put together a school memories box for each of your kids best or most special work from every year. Let the process we described in. I welcome social media links directly to this page! My Grandmother's first shoe, circa 1910 complete with a handwritten note from her inside, hangs on the tree. blog has this important message about memorabilia: Whats the best way to figure out what to keep in your. Your child can describe the piece in their own words in a recording you attach to the image, and loved ones can become Fans and leave recorded comments as well. So be a detective.. Please send your old yearbooks to Ancestry.com! I think my goal would be to have things in order so that when I go (many many years from now, hopefully), my surviving family members will at least have a sense of what everything is so they can more easily decide what is to become of it. These are great questions to consider. You can photograph these items inside a. . Decorate a shoebox, or if youre ambitious and handy, make a wooden box. Then, aim to declutter as much as you need to fit the new place, such as 40 % or half of the boxes. If you get stuck on items that you are undecided about, put those items to the side and set a deadline for when you will revisit them. If youre moving to a smaller place, make a comparison to your current situation, McGregor says. Sort the memorabilia into items that are for-sure keep, for-sure get rid of, and undecided. (Stay tuned for next blog post! Thank you. No matter what your collection includes, it can be difficult to decide what to do with these items. Have three-dimensional items in your collection (like the homemade bowl your child crafted for you in second grade)? Or just tucked into the branches. Simply click here to return to get rid of clutter. Keep toys you rememberyour children particularly enjoying or that you would enjoy playing with with your grandchildren, Poznansky says. And if I dont deal with it who will? #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, Organizing sentimental items! When I inherit her china, I will keep a special piece or two and sell the rest. When that happens your perspective will also shift. You are looking for diamond energy in a sea of stones! Share your plans and your stuff. It is always best if memorabilia can be displayed or at least is easily accessible to you so you can enjoy the positive memories it calls forth. Local craft stores also sell storage boxes. The SHOTBOX is a collapsable, hard-shelled light box that acts as a wonderful, well-lit stage for your item. I use and display many of them. with built-in options for filing your items. Learn how to preserve old letters and organize them in this interview with Denise Levenick, the Family Curator. Several large losses in my family in the last 2 years and I've acquired even more sentimental stuff. To simplify decluttering, gather all keepsakes and mementos and put them in one spot. I just did some decluttering to prepare for my son (37 weeks pregnant). When youre working in stages, youll be more likely to stay focused and motivated, and youll be able to give your memorabilia the time and attention it deserves. If your collection of memorabilia is out of control, and you are wondering how to manage it, here are the questions I want you to ask yourself before you even get started. A Photo Organizers Best Tips for Dealing with Difficult Photos, How to Take Better Photos and Videos with Your iPhone, How to Tell Your Family History in a Keepsake Photo Album. Youll likely spot items that you dont use or value, such as a broken lamp from your first marriage or stained clothing you dont remember purchasing. Sorting through a son or daughters school mementos is another. Let me help you put the pieces of your home puzzle together. Fortunately I was able to save the buffet, but the table and chairs had to go. If youve got a smaller and more manageable collection, youll be considerably more likely to keep it organized and digitized. Fax: (406) 407-9502, Its not unusual for a homes memorabilia pile to span multiple generations. If after a waiting period you are still struggling with what to do with certain items, invite a trusted friend or family member to help you make decisions about them. If its been damaged by water, heat or animals, it is beyond saving, Dooley notes. During this stage, go through every item in your collection. What to Do with That Box of Memorabilia Sitting in Your Closet. I kept some, and have some ready to give to sisters, although some are the same as pictures they are storing that my Mom had. Hold your wedding dress in your hands or flip through a photo album and take the time to remember what life was like then. #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, Easy ways to make a school memory box for your child! Or a basement filled with items that represent the past 30 years? Join over 140,000 others and get tips, articles and organizing challenges sent directly to your inbox to help you get your house in order. Or create a new keepsake, such as a quilt made with T-shirts from places you visited or a collage of old photographs. Dont look at it like decluttering and getting rid of your past, but as a journey through a long life, Cohen says. Take your time. So they may be gone. Kalispell, MT 59901 Have three-dimensional items in your collection (like the homemade bowl your child crafted for you in second grade)? The more you keep in mind how you want to live your life now, and how difficult it is to go through your own memorabilia, much less someone elses, the more you will make mindful choices about what to keep now and going forward. A zoo key from childhood, a crystal from a chandelier, yep they're hanging there on the tree. Your intention for the first pass should be to eliminate items with obvious negative energies, those that bring up sad, hurt or angry feelings. It will be easier for you to decide what to keep and what to pitch! Clothing that is not memorable or even wearable. The larger stuff was almost easier to part with. If youre struggling to downsize,a professional organizercould provide support. Create categories. Enjoy the process. Best practices and inspiration for safely organizing your keepsakes and memorabilia. ), No matter what the project is, the first thing I ask a client, and suggest you ask yourself, is: Why am I doing this?, (My goal is to decrease the volume by AT LEAST 80% so, paring 33 boxes down to 7. You will ask yourself this question again and again, for each item you encounter. | 7 Easy Organizing Tricks You'll Actually Want To Try, Creative idea! If youve inherited someone elses memorabilia, do you even know whats in those boxes? All Rights Reserved. That way, when you revisit those items, you can examine them with the benefit of better energy in your space and more clarity in your thinking. I've had to start thinking about where family keepsakes will go due to the fact that neither of my children seem interested. Its OK if you arent. And hold on to special discoveries you come across. But now on my tree, there are new treasures. If it's small enough to hang, it's now an ornament. People are going to be grieving for you someday, do you want to heap a pile of clutter on top of that? I've made peace with all that. I think your post will be helpful in getting on the move again, one box at a time, one tool for someone else, one photo going to the right family member. Old letters are a family treasure. Small, granted, is in the eye of the beholder. They would want you to feel happy and to cherish their memory, not feel burdened and guilty. ). Dont worry, I will be keeping plenty to share with my family. Just click here to schedule a free 20-minute call. For example, I keep the memory of my maternal grandmother alive with my favorite photograph of her on the wall of my office and her wedding band that I wear every day. How to Create Your Family Legacy. Are you afraid to open the boxes that have been languishing in your garage or storage unit? Let the process we described in this blog post serve as a guide to help to evaluate your items and decide what to keep, so you can whittle down your collection to the things that are the most special to you. Downsize & declutter now so your family doesnt have to do it when youre gone. The project is important, but theres no rush to complete it. Recently I had to get rid of my grandmother's dining set. Your email address will not be published. So I did. Try one of these. And we end up laughing at some of the stuff we find. And dont store them in a dusty or non-climate-controlled shed, garage, or attic! Decorate a shoebox, or if youre ambitious and handy, Prefer to buy your keepsake box? It broke my heart. I wear my great grandmother's jewelry, especially her engagement ring. Using a keepsake box is a safe and a clutter-free way to store your collection, and the Internet is full of do-it-yourself instructions to help you make your own. Then Ill store the best stuff in an organized and archival manner, so that the memories wont deteriorate, and so I can share the photos and stories with my family.). If you dont want to do it alone, ask a friend or relative to help you. If space is limited, keep the best of smaller items that anchor the energy of a particular time period or person. The goal here is to give yourself some breathing room when it comes to your memorabilia. Julie, I love this post. ), hasnt gotten much smaller of late. When you choose items to keep, consider how they will fit into your home. You can also tag entries with any sort of word to categorize entries, such as "memorabilia" or "London.". As always, make sure your photos are backed up by using, Picture This Organizeds best photo backup practices. Youll find that if you get rid of the items that you easily identified to toss, youll shift the energies in your space for the better. But dont wait 16 years, like I did! Theres no rushunless, of course, youre downsizing to move or youre terminally ill. Do you feel overwhelmed by piles of your own photos, letters,kids artwork, and other tangible memories? Whew! If you want the box to be archival quality, check to be sure they are lignin free. Those emotionally charged items can be tough to evaluate rationally. Baseball cards post-1960s have little to no value at all.. If you want to frame pieces of homemade artwork, but youve discovered the pieces are too large for your frames, this creativity blog shows you how to resize an item on your home printer. What are you leaving behind for others to deal with? I have shadow box frames which is where I put all the little memorabilia from days out, holidays etc. 3. Thank you! Do your family a favor: Downsize & declutter now so your family doesnt have to do it when youre gone. (I promise you wont. But dont count on receiving a windfall. I often find memorabilia and keepsakes while helping my clients maintain order in their homes. Once youve gathered everything together that you have to remember them by it will be easier to select a few special items and Give yourself permission to let the rest go. Also, keep in mind that while collections or college textbooks might have personal meaning to you, others might not be interested. Fortunately, I had my brothers help with the initial sort. Now, start thinking about your own stuff. Try one of these Savor storage boxes with built-in options for filing your items. I have already agreed to trade services with an organizing colleague for the photo organizing part of the project. You can also consider these ideas: 1. Dishtowels in a package that were never used and are not special. | Tips for: #photoorganizing, #scanning, #legacy, #archiving, #archivalstorage, #heritage, #genealogy, #scrapbooking, & #memorykeeping, How to archive family keepsakes book. Start slowly, such as setting a timer for 15 minutes or half an hour. Items that should be kept are those about which you still have strong feelings and high energy. Need help? (Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletters as well!). Take a look at this moms ingenious idea of using a selection of empty frames on the wall to display her kids artwork (you can use this for other types of memorabilia, too!). If youve been following this blog for awhile, you wont be surprised to hear that I recommend digitizing and archiving the items in your memorabilia collection. Simply click here to return to, 15 minute daily decluttering mission calendars, Getting Clutter Free 15 Minutes At A Time Hall Of Fame, Go From How To Declutter Memorabilia & Keepsakes To Home Page, Items from childhood (either your own or your kids). This is really more for me since I doubt my son will be especially interested in an uncle he was never able to meet or know. If you want to frame pieces of homemade artwork, but youve discovered the pieces are too large for your frames. My dad and my older half sister and I went through and decluttered a bunch back then in 2018, but I found I still took on a bit too much of it when I recently went through the closet that will be part of my impending son's room. And, do it in a way that is easy and safe to do, like consignment or through an email broker who works with Craigs List or Ebay. A friend or relative might be able to help you evaluate what to keep and what to pass on. Need help? (If my mom and her parents were famous I would keep everything and/or donate it all to a museum or archive. But they werent. Check out this post from our archive for ideas of displaying your budding Picassos work. Going through old photographsis one decluttering category, McGregor says. serve as a guide to help to evaluate your items and decide what to keep, so you can whittle down your collection to the things that are the most special to you. #thememorycurator #leavealegacy #familyhistorian #keepsakes #memorablia #modernmemorykeeping, Children's Artwork/Schoolwork {A Storage Solution, Learn from others! We gifted two cars to friends in need, shared photos of furniture and my dads intarsia with family and friends and found new homes for them. memorabilia box, especially when every piece might seem like its worth keeping? Family keepsakes that have been handed down through generations. shows you how to resize an item on your home printer. Some go into the discard box--my kids aren't interested. I now have a space for these things and over the years can add items and once becomes full will then decide to remove items to replace with new ones or decide to add another frame but it's manageable and on show. Of course not! Or, click hereto contact me via email. Despite some challenges, I went through more of his keepsakes today and managed to clear a bunch more closet space for my son's room. Excellent post. And I give myself the same advice: Dont read the letters now! Selling is a hassle and often does not bring results that are worth the effort. It isnt necessary to keep everything that holds those energies. Put them in the LETTERS pile. Anything that has special significance to you. Or, get rid of it surreptitiously. or you want to share the items with your family or the boxes have been sitting there nagging at you. Ticket stubs, trip itineraries, or other evidence of your travels over the years. You can read them later! Im not paying myself for my time, though, so sometimes I go ahead and read the letters. Required fields are marked *. 6. My husband and I have adopted a way to declutter keepsakes and memorabilia. Once youve digitized your collection, you need to figure out how to store your memorabilia. Take a photo of the item; write a story about it; let people know what it meant to you, otherwise it will get lumped in with the dishtowels and they wont know if it was important to you or not. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. A blessing, or a burden? We think of memories as priceless, close to the heart, and hard to release, but not all of the things we own, or the things left behind by a loved one, are important in any way. 2. Using a keepsake box is a safe and a clutter-free way to store your collection, and the Internet is full of do-it-yourself instructions to help you make your own. I think I have just enough of my brother's stuff now as a memory mostly for me, and if my son wants to learn about or keep any of it when he gets older, and as I near my own passing, it's all up to him as to what he decides to do with it. I do put trinkets in the donate box--places like goodwill do put them out to sell. If youre not ready to get rid of something now, and space isnt a concern, put it aside for a year. After putting it in a pile, dont tackle everything in one day. For belongings you think your children or grandchildren would appreciate, consider giving them as gifts now or marking them to be passed on later. ), Having 3 daughters setting up housekeeping made the missions for. Learn how your comment data is processed. WARNING: Organizing memorabilia may cause you to re-think the way you currently live your life! He would have been my son's only full uncle on the maternal side, but he died tragically in 1997 when he was a teenager. Copyright 2018 by Hazel Thornton,Organized For Life. If family members arent interested, you can try to donate the wares to a secondhand store. How? Organizing. Only consider selling items that have clear monetary value, like jewelry or antiques. Whats the best way to figure out what to keep in your memorabilia box, especially when every piece might seem like its worth keeping? Clients call me to help them go through boxes that they fear will be too painful to open alone.