Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

What to do with my now grownup daughters dance trophies

(70 Posts)
OLLYgr Sun 05-Apr-26 21:33:07

My husband and I decided that we didn't want to leave a lot of hassle clearing out home for our daughters when we are no longer here.
We copied all our family photos on a stick so they always have their memories and threw away boxes and boxes of photos However, they were excellent ballroom and latin dancers and we have hundreds of dance trophies that they have no interest in keeping.
They said to throw them away, but I am finding this very difficult to do. We have downsized and do not have the room for them.
Does anyone know of a charity I could give them to. The problem is a lot of them do have specific dance associations on them.

petra Sun 05-Apr-26 21:38:34

What is the metal content of the trophy’s
Some charities collect scrap metal. Sorry to be blunt but several of these have passed through our charity shop and that’s all we could do with them.

crazyH Sun 05-Apr-26 21:45:45

My youngest son had a lot of Taekwondo trophies - gave them all to him when he bought a house and he has proudly displayed them in his study.

Dempie55 Sun 05-Apr-26 21:46:15

Photograph and bin.

OLLYgr Sun 05-Apr-26 22:09:55

Photograph and bin is probably what we will do. I understand the charity shop outlet.
CrazyH I wish my daughters would want to this, but they dont. They also have loads of their own children's trophies now on display.

Shelflife Sun 05-Apr-26 22:31:13

If your daughters don't want them - dump them! Sounds harsh , they hold sentimental value I recognise that but they have served their purpose ! They are of no use/ value to anyone else. Photograph them if that helps then dispose of them. Once you have done the deed you will wonder why you didn't do it earlier ! Be brave and just do it.

Elrel Sun 05-Apr-26 22:34:50

Given that they may change their minds, pack their trophies away then they will be the ones to decide what to do with them.

Charleygirl5 Sun 05-Apr-26 22:37:13

Before you dump, are they of any monetary value? Maybe google to see if anybody is interested.

Allsorts Sun 05-Apr-26 22:38:25

If your daughters dont want them I would photographt and bin.

nanna8 Sun 05-Apr-26 23:10:58

If the girls don’t want them I suppose it is best to get rid of them. Only if they have children of their own ,they might like them. Point that out to them! Or just give them to them anyway and say they can do what they like with them.

Wyllow3 Sun 05-Apr-26 23:16:58

I'd photo them all

and keep samples say 6 for each daughter, for your own happy memories.

BlueBelle Sun 05-Apr-26 23:51:43

I d put them in a tub /box whatever ! with her name on it and put them in the attic/ spare room/ loft/ garage whatever
But Charleygirl won’t they have their names in them ?

TheSunRisesInTheEast Mon 06-Apr-26 02:59:49

We had a box of old trophies in the loft from our sons' school days - football, rugby, cricket. Neither of them wanted them so I stuck my granddaughters' names on them and if they have running races in the garden or singing/dancing 'competitions' in the conservatory, they get a trophy, which they love. They're 2 and 4 years old, it's just a bit of fun for them 😀.

M0nica Mon 06-Apr-26 08:37:38

Put them in boxes, sorted by daughter, and give them to them and insist they dispose of them. That is what we did last year with DD's collection of dolls in national costumes and DS's childhood books.

When we visited AC, we walked in the door holding boxes, put them down in the their halls and left them there.

Astitchintime Mon 06-Apr-26 08:42:38

I’m with the ‘pack them in boxes and let the AC decide’ team! Either take them to their homes or put the boxes back in your loft and the AC will have the responsibility of ‘disposal’ when clearing out your home.

kittylester Mon 06-Apr-26 08:44:34

If you don't have room to store them then what Monica said.

JaneJudge Mon 06-Apr-26 08:49:53

I agree with Monica too

MartavTaurus Mon 06-Apr-26 09:02:56

TheSunRisesInTheEast

We had a box of old trophies in the loft from our sons' school days - football, rugby, cricket. Neither of them wanted them so I stuck my granddaughters' names on them and if they have running races in the garden or singing/dancing 'competitions' in the conservatory, they get a trophy, which they love. They're 2 and 4 years old, it's just a bit of fun for them 😀.

😆

I did/do that with my granddchildren too, TheSunRisesInTheEast , except with medals.

Boast alert - I have a box with dozens of gold, silver and bronze medals, and when the DGC race up and down the garden, I award them on a red ribbon! The only problem is they all have my (maiden) name engraved on them, so it's all a bit confusing!

lixy Mon 06-Apr-26 09:10:48

We stored sports trophies for our AC until we moved. After many opportunities for them to sort through their belongings we held a family garden picnic one sunny afternoon. Their belongings were brought down and offered once more.

The whole lot went in the bin.
Same story with their school work/college notes/ any other memorabilia.
They each ‘rescued’ one soft cuddly toy. No way would I have guessed that!

I didn’t want to be the one who threw their things away, but I had to push both AC to the precipice to overcome their inertia!

Magenta8 Mon 06-Apr-26 09:11:43

Phew. There are advantages in having children who never won an award for anything after all.grin

Silvershadow Mon 06-Apr-26 09:13:19

We have the exact same problem. Our daughter’s dance trophies have moved with us from the old house to the new. I can’t bring myself to throw them all away. Shields, trophies, medals, you name it we’ve got them. They’re in a clear plastic storage crate in the loft. She knows they’re here. Our daughter lives abroad so not exactly easy to get them to her. Having said that she showed no inclination to take them when she married. It’s hard isn’t it?

eazybee Mon 06-Apr-26 09:14:06

Box them up and deliver them to your daughters, and they can choose how to dispose of them. I can understand how you find it difficult to throw them away but they are not yours; they are their responsibility.

Calendargirl Mon 06-Apr-26 10:03:26

It is hard isn’t it, but if they are not interested, why should you be lumbered with them?

You didn’t win them, your children did, if they don’t want them …..

Silvershadow Mon 06-Apr-26 10:09:31

I know. It’s sentimental I suppose. I’ve still got her little swimsuit with all the badges sewn on it and her brownie sash the same, all in this clear plastic crate. Ah well…. It’s just one big crate and when the inevitable happens she will have to deal with it.

ViceVersa Mon 06-Apr-26 10:12:17

M0nica

Put them in boxes, sorted by daughter, and give them to them and insist they dispose of them. That is what we did last year with DD's collection of dolls in national costumes and DS's childhood books.

When we visited AC, we walked in the door holding boxes, put them down in the their halls and left them there.

I did the same with all my daughter's horse riding/show jumping trophies and rosettes. Boxed them up and gave them to her to do whatever she wants with them.