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What to do with old stuff.

(58 Posts)
Mamardoit Wed 26-Nov-25 15:15:59

I would send most of that to auction.

Give the DC their school reports. Burn your own. That's what I've done. DH's s screws will at some point come in useful according to my DH. They are probably safely in the shed or garage. I would leave them to whoever clears out.

Sago Wed 26-Nov-25 15:15:07

The stamps, linen and watercolours should go to auction.

Bin the rest.

Allira Wed 26-Nov-25 15:11:09

then, when they're full, add no more.
๐Ÿ™„ I mean, don't start filling another box!

Allira Wed 26-Nov-25 15:09:37

Suzieque66 Certainly not.

Shops selling vintage items might want the embroidered items if you have one locally.
You could ask the charity shop if they want the paintings, but ask the family first before you dispose of them.

First day covers, not sure, I have a collection from my MIL but yours are more personal so I'd keep those to pass on to family.

Allocate a nice box for each child, fill it with their stuff and things they might want, label it then, when they're full, add no more.

I'd be shredding my school reports!

M0nica Wed 26-Nov-25 15:03:40

I would imagine charity shops would want them. DD has been doing one of these feature walls in her living room and she has been buying water colours like those yoy descibenfrom chairty shops. The pillow cases should be very acceptable.

Stamps - contact a reputable stamp dealer and sell them.

Little box - off to the charity shop

J52 Wed 26-Nov-25 15:02:42

Collectors might want them. Have you got a local auction house you could contact? Auctions of have small interesting job lots towards the end. You might not get much, but someone would still get the pleasure of owning them.

Suzieque66 Wed 26-Nov-25 14:59:46

Chuck it all away ...

DotScot Wed 26-Nov-25 14:23:16

Decided to tackle just one of the several boxes that we were sent when my mother-in-law died. Masses of photos of course. But other stuff that's more tricky and I just don't know what to do with it.
A first day cover and other stamps designed by her father, who was an eminent artist in Ireland. We might try to sell them, I suppose, but could they be of interest to future generations of the family? But if kept, how should such things be stored and where?
Quite nice watercolours that she did - the genes were obviously strong - but we've nowhere now to hang them.
A little wooden box that she made herself.
Pristine pillowcases from Irish Linen with embroidered designs that she created and they used commercially.
The list goes on.
We've enough hard decisions with our own stuff. I don't consider myself a hoarder of useless things (although...all my school reports, and all my children's school reports?) My husband's collection of old screws and washers in the shed though - THAT'S hoarding!
But I just can't put these things from my mother-in-law in the bin and I doubt that charity shops would want them.
Help!