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What can't you throw away?

(73 Posts)
vampirequeen Thu 30-Apr-20 11:38:40

I have a little poaching pan that belonged to my grandma.

Marmight Fri 01-May-20 13:28:18

Whenever I’ve had a clear out, which doesn't happen very often as I am more of a hoarder than a disposer, I inevitably find I need what I’ve disposed of. So now I store stuff in the attic of the garage until I am absolutely sure it’s not needed.
I’ll always keep family letters, paperwork and all photographs of people. My descendants can decide if the family history has outgrown its interest.

Wendy Fri 01-May-20 14:18:11

Ornaments. I try to declutter but then I think, that was a gift from .... ........gave me that and they go back on the shelf!!

MooM00 Fri 01-May-20 14:50:30

At the moment whilst I have the time, I have decided to look at all the photographs I have and put some of them into nice scrap books which I have bought. I have hundreds and really would like to bin them but I feel guilty. I also went through my late mum and dads photographs. I found my mum had kept birthday cards and mother’s day cards sent to her from my sister and I, mum had actually kept my sisters 1st birthday card who is now 70.

Greciangirl Fri 01-May-20 14:56:00

I find it very therapeutic to throw stuff out.
It’s a sort of cleansing and unburdening feeling.

Difficult to describe but I like the feeling.

Anyone else get a kick out of throwing stuff out.?

Westcoaster Fri 01-May-20 15:04:39

I'm quite good at throwing stuff, but mostly out of necessity as the husband would keep every little thing.
He was almost heart-broken throwing out some old videos (not even bought ones, tv recordings!) before we moved house ... only managed to get them in the bin by reminding him we didn't have a video player any more.

Right now we have a big bag of old clothing and quite a few toys the grand-kids have outgrown waiting for the charity shops to re-open.

moggie57 Fri 01-May-20 15:47:42

all my mums stuff and the coat she last wore .its still in my wardrobe 21 years later.

Bluecat Fri 01-May-20 15:55:14

Mum's coat. Two of them, actually. I have thought of donating them to charity but can't bear to part with them. I also have her wedding dress. It's lovely. My eldest daughter was married in it too.

A bit off topic, but my MiL died last week and is going to be cremated in her wedding sari. My other daughter thinks that it's horrible, being in your coffin like a bride. I am not sure whether I think it's beautiful or a bit creepy. It's up to her family, of course. Their choice.

Herbie9 Fri 01-May-20 15:56:11

Patsy222 I feel the same way as you. It's so hard to let go of a loved ones ashes. The family have scattered some of my dear husband's ashes but I'm keeping the rest as I would eventually like mine to be with his. It gives me comfort to always remember him while I'm still here.

GrannyLaine Fri 01-May-20 16:08:19

Tate & Lyle Golden Syrup tins.
They are just so attractive.

JaneRn Fri 01-May-20 16:40:51

What will I not throw away? My wedding dress, one beautiful evening dress from the days when I had brown hair and a 25" waist, the letters my husband wrote to me before we were married and the ones my father wrote to my mother before they were married, boxes of photographs, some of people I do not recognise plus the albums to put them in - and yes, I promise to do it soon. Perhaps the most precious is a piece of my grandmother's wedding veil which I hardly dare to touch and part of the lovely head dress
that went with it. She was married in 1892 and my daughter had one of the few remaining pieces of lace from her wedding dress on her own.

HurdyGurdy Fri 01-May-20 17:29:12

oh vampirequeen. That cartoon has literally made me laugh out loud.

Only yesterday, I got my first ever fruit and vegetable box from a new supplier. After unpacking it, I said to my husband - keep this box somewhere. "It's a really good box"

It is, as well! It's large and VERY strong. So there lol

Happysexagenarian Fri 01-May-20 17:57:54

Fabric, and craft materials for several very different crafts. I have a room full plus the loft and crates under the beds. I'll use them one day really I will!
Two complete MOG wedding outfits, they're just so lovely but no longer fit me and never likely to be used again.
A butter soft leather jacket bought 20 years ago. Too small now but a lovely reminder of a very special holiday. I keep promising to make it into a handbag... one day perhaps.

PamelaJ1 Fri 01-May-20 18:55:44

GrannyLaine, dad used to make holes in the syrup tins and then we would thread thick string through . We would hold the string and stand on the tins. Poor kids stilts?
I’d forgotten that till now.

Thank you Vampire for this thread. I’ve put about 40 books in more that one box. Thankfully I had a couple I’d saved earlier!
Tesco are still taking them. My house is lighter now.

GabriellaG54 Fri 01-May-20 19:51:15

Any cards my children made me and things from their childhood like a glove or a sock. £1m wouldn't make me part with them.

AlisonKF Fri 01-May-20 23:43:40

My WRAF officers uniform and hat. Size 12 and 5feet 10 inches then. Now shrunk to 5ft 8ins and size 14 to 16, alas.
Many men do the same I think. I will leave a note to donate it to a theatrical costume store after I am gone . Which will not be long now.
Sending tatty but loved books to landfill is heart wrenching.

pengwen Sat 02-May-20 00:27:17

PamelaJ1
We had those stilts too.Paint tins I think as there were 3 of us.
Oh,the noise when we were having a 'race' down the road.

I try not to hoard and try to "one in,one out," doesn't always work.
Husband prides himself on not hoarding,however when I was throwing away some broken, old items he is the one who wanted to keep them !.....

PamelaJ1 Sat 02-May-20 06:08:53

pengwen, a new Olympic sport???

Nanniejude Sat 02-May-20 08:03:11

Birthday cards, Mother’s Day cards, new baby cards from 27 years ago! Photos, books, toys, clothes! Help

Lucca Sat 02-May-20 08:19:55

Greciangirl. Me too!
I am not unsentimental and keep meaningful things I just don’t hoard old phones /books I will never read again or pass to others/clothes/ boxes /ornaments that are not pretty (can’t bear them) unnecessary crockery etc!

MerylStreep Sat 02-May-20 09:36:05

Greciangirl
I do. I wish I had some drawers/ cupboards/ wardrobes to clear out in this lockdown, but I haven't because i can't stand clutter and 'stuff' My OH has a joke that if he stands still too long he'll be in the bin ?
I get (got) my fix with sorting the contributions at a charity shop. I love it. No prevaricating with me.

henetha Sat 02-May-20 10:24:54

I've kept just about every birthday/Christmas/Mother's day
cards which my children have ever sent me.
I tend to be a hoarder but try to fight it all the time... but I won't get rid of those cards.

NanaPlenty Sun 03-May-20 16:38:33

When the day comes and you move on to the next place so to speak you cannot take anything with you other than love and memories - best to not hoard now otherwise it becomes a horrible job for others.