Those things we save for a special occasion

Leann

Leann

Traveler
We've had a lot of interesting conversations here about downsizing. I'm still in the process because my interest in it comes in spurts.

But what about those things we don't intend to get rid of and keep them for special occasions? It might be clothing, jewelry, accessories, dishes, etc.

I don't have a lot of good jewelry, probably a dozen pieces at most. I keep them in a safe deposit box at the bank because I feel better than keeping them in the house. But that also means that I don't get to wear them when I'd like and this is starting to feel ridiculous to me. In protecting them from possible theft or damage, I may as well not have them because I don't get to wear them. There's a necklace and a bracelet that were my Mom's, a few pieces I picked up in my travels, maybe 6 rings and a few pairs of earrings.

Same thing with some handbags that I have. They are all stored in a closet, securely nestled in dust bags. I have to get past this childhood concept that some things are not to be used unless it's a special occasion.

What about you? Do you have things that are set aside that you are keeping but not using unless there's a special reason?
 

I have a tuxedo that I used to wear frequently to certain conferences and events when I was working. It is relatively new, but I have not worn it in over 2 years. We are scheduled to go on an Alaska cruise with some friends in early August. I wasn't going to bring it, then our friends said they had just bought new tuxes because they had "grown" and they travel all the time. So, as much as I'm not looking forward to packing a tux and formal shoes, I'm glad I kept it.

I also have numerous suits and sport coats. I always take the latest sport coat I bought on vacation. I never wear the suits. Not sure why I hold onto them. Possibly sentimental symbols of my former career. I don't know how many people actually wear suits these days. I used to love looking at the finely tailored suits in the Hugo Boss window at our mall in Dallas. Now the display is track suits and t-shirts.
 
Things are no longer desired. They bind you and hold you to lower mind functions.
If you have to store things away and don't use them in your daily life, to me, they are of no use at all!
Material things are of little worth. To me, this mentality to have the finest, the best, the newest; this
makes no sense to me.
I guess I have a cowboy's mentality. A saddle and a bedroll, a freight train to hop on and I'm good!
Ha! Most of my things have been stolen over the years anyway. Even money! Doesn't matter.
All I need is a few things to live comfortably and I'm completely happy! Nothing else.
I have a pair of sandals for summer, Uggs for winter, and a pair of black heels.
I like designing jewelry but not wearing jewelry. Certainly not collecting jewelry.
I'll spend money on books or tools. That's about it.
 

Leann said:
What about you? Do you have things that are set aside that you are keeping but not using unless there's a special reason?
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Definitely do. I have lovely clothes that I bought for special travel trips. Then when I’d be packing, I realized I preferred to be more efficient; I can only wear so many things. Recently many of these went into the donation box. Not sure they’d really fit me now.

Then there’re the items around the house for entertaining, except we do a minimal amount. I can’t bring myself to get rid of the sterling silverware, I have some emotional pieces from my grand and great grandparents. My kids will likely just toss them. It won’t cause them any pain so I might as well just keep it.
 
Leann said:
We've had a lot of interesting conversations here about downsizing. I'm still in the process because my interest in it comes in spurts.

But what about those things we don't intend to get rid of and keep them for special occasions? It might be clothing, jewelry, accessories, dishes, etc.

I don't have a lot of good jewelry, probably a dozen pieces at most. I keep them in a safe deposit box at the bank because I feel better than keeping them in the house. But that also means that I don't get to wear them when I'd like and this is starting to feel ridiculous to me. In protecting them from possible theft or damage, I may as well not have them because I don't get to wear them. There's a necklace and a bracelet that were my Mom's, a few pieces I picked up in my travels, maybe 6 rings and a few pairs of earrings.

Same thing with some handbags that I have. They are all stored in a closet, securely nestled in dust bags. I have to get past this childhood concept that some things are not to be used unless it's a special occasion.

What about you? Do you have things that are set aside that you are keeping but not using unless there's a special reason?
Click to expand...
Have your jewellery insured if you decide to keep it in your home. Mine was all stolen during a break-in. Insurance paid for the jewellery - however, you can never replace sentimental pieces.
 
Jules said:
Definitely do. I have lovely clothes that I bought for special travel trips. Then when I’d be packing, I realized I preferred to be more efficient; I can only wear so many things. Recently many of these went into the donation box. Not sure they’d really fit me now.

Then there’re the items around the house for entertaining, except we do a minimal amount. I can’t bring myself to get rid of the sterling silverware, I have some emotional pieces from my grand and great grandparents. My kids will likely just toss them. It won’t cause them any pain so I might as well just keep it.
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You are not the only one. We have fine china and silverware that we bought years ago for entertaining and we haven't used them in probably 20 years. Thank you for reminding me that they are just taking up space!
 
Leann said:
What about you? Do you have things that are set aside that you are keeping but not using unless there's a special reason?
Click to expand...
Got this tiny Christmas Tree
All decorated
in the box
in the shed

Bring it inside around a week after Thanksgiving
Pop it open like an umbrella
Foomp
'tis the season......presents handed out......Ho Ho Ho.....'Merry Christmas'

Everbod goes home

Close it
Foomp
in the box
in the shed
 
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One of the saddest things i ever saw was when cleaning out my grandmothers home after she passed ...
she had so many lovely things that she never found that special occasion to use ..... china /fancy wine glasses / linens
i decided then i would not do that save for someday and it never comes.
 
Lawrence said:
I have a good set of knee braces and blue jeans and dress shoes and shirt I wear on special occasions.
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Yeah. me too
No knee braces, but have a sport jacket, black T, Wranglers, casual shoes

.......for special occasions

I did have some dressy stuff

self check out.jpg fin.jpg

but
never wore it much....tossed it all

Wait....I do have some dressy stuff
tucked somewhere in the storage container at the cabin property
some sorta Tux git up

fancy.jpg



never know

526-I_dont_always JINGLE.jpg
 
Pinky said:
Have your jewellery insured if you decide to keep it in your home. Mine was all stolen during a break-in. Insurance paid for the jewellery - however, you can never replace sentimental pieces.
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Thanks, Pinky. That's one of my concerns. I'm not worried so much about the monetary value as I am about the sentimental value.
 
Jeni said:
One of the saddest things i ever saw was when cleaning out my grandmothers home after she passed ...
she had so many lovely things that she never found that special occasion to use ..... china /fancy wine glasses / linens
i decided then i would not do that save for someday and it never comes.
Click to expand...
Oh Jeni, that is what I think about, too. After I'm gone will my family look at some of my things and say "why didn't she use these?"
 
dseag2 said:
You are not the only one. We have fine china and silverware that we bought years ago for entertaining and we haven't used them in probably 20 years. Thank you for reminding me that they are just taking up space!
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In one of Sam Levenson's books, he said when he was a child he asked his mother why they couldn't use the good dishes, etc., and she said the good dishes were for 'People.' He couldn't understand why he wasn't 'People.' :ROFLMAO:
 

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