Is that a keepsake? Part 2: Do you like it?

What items do you treasure? A child's treasured keepsake may be a game-winning baseball. Adults have a variety of collections that they treasure.

Antique Camera. Do you like it?

What happens when someone gives you a collection or an item that you do not treasure? Do you like it? You have some choices:

1. Store it. Do nothing and store it in the garage, attic, or closet.  
2. Honor it in your home by display. Think of incorporating items into your home decor. There are many options for framing items. 
3. Honor it in your home by use. Choose a portion of the collection if you are not fond of the whole. If your grandma gave you an entire set of dishes you love, use them! Or, pick out the serving pieces and use them!
4. Give it away. Give to Goodwill and you give someone a job. Give to a family member that you know would enjoy it for no reason, Christmas or a birthday. 
5. Sell it - eBay, Craigslist, yard sales, antique dealers, etc.  

Is that a keepsake? Part 1: How old is your child?

What is a keepsake? By definition it is something kept or given to be kept as a memento.

In the homes of our clients, Gretchen and I find boxes of keepsakes. Our clients say, "I'm keeping this for my daughter or son." Our next question is, "How old is your daughter or son?"

Wondering what we would advise you to do? Answer these 3 questions:

1. How long will the child continue to live in my house?

2. At what age will I expect to give the keepsakes to the child?

3. Who is making the decision about the keepsakes?

First of all, you must consider space. If you are collecting items at a rate of 1 box per year, you could have 18 boxes of keepsakes before the child departs for college. We suggest that you limit the space for items to the child's room.

Second, consider a realistic time for passing keepsakes along. Most children will be in their mid to late 20s before they settle in a place and are able receive, use, store or honor keepsakes. 

Lastly, who decides what goes into the box? If you are making the decisions, then most likely they are your keepsakes. Your keepsakes should be honored or stored in your space. Involve your children in the decision-making process of what to keep. If children do prize the items stored, they will not have a connection and may not want them after all. 

~Amy 

Oh no! That tabletop is scratched!

Recycle Furniture. 

Try this with a table your grandmother gave you or you find at a consignment shop.

My mother gave me a nice mahogany table, but it needs to be refinished.  I decided to cover the table with oil cloth.  I cut it slightly larger than the table and stretched it under the edge.  This is a two man job.  I attached the oil cloth using a staple gun.  

When the time is right to refinish the table I can simply remove the staples by prying them loose with a flat head screw driver.  For now this wipe clean oil cloth surface is perfect for meal time, craft projects, and homework. 

~ Gretchen

Gifts of Experience

Have trouble purchasing gifts for someone that has everything? No more space in your home to collect another thing? Try gifts of experience.

Give or ask for certificates for lessons to learn pottery, dance, flying, cooking, or an instrument. Give tickets to the theater, a dinner cruise, wine tasting, concerts or train rides. Ask for or a membership to a bulk store, zoo or a museum. Don't forget spa certificates and other traditional gift certificates.

Xperience Days has many more unique ideas. Your creativity and price tags are the only limits!

~ Amy

Looking for space in your cabinet? Try nesting glasses.

How do your dishes stack up?

Cabinet space is at a premium at my house. Instead of taking on a major remodel or trying to rearrange what I have over and over again, I choose to shop smart.

Knowing that I have limited space, I only purchase glasses that stack or nest. This shopping rule applies to bowls and other items too. If I have a need in my kitchen - utensil, pots, pans, dishes, I do not purchase on an impulse. I make note of the space it needs to occupy and incorporate this in my decision making.

~Amy