Why do people collect/keep valuable but meaningless things? (shooting, firearms, furniture)

[verynicebecky]

I opened this thread thinking it was gonna be about Beanie Babies. Thank goodness it isn't.

[Tek_Freek]

Some people collect very interesting things....

eBay Forums: Help figure out this glass please ...

Go through the pictures. As you keep in mind that this is all from one house, and you're not seeing everything!

If you find it interesting, keep scrolling, there's a long section of just text, then more pictures.

[ChipL]

To the OP: My family's filled with collectors (read: pack rats), and I enjoy the things that are handed down from one family member to the next generation, and there is no lack of quantity there, nor quality, beautiful objects.

Here is the thing. If it is the only thing these people have to share down with their younger family, and they want to pass it down to you , I don't think you should begrudge them the opportunity, it makes them feel good and you then have something that was "theirs" and important to them.

On the other hand, if there is a slew of stuff like in my family, and there are antique dealers, and all that, it is simply a matter of "those guns, though I really appreciate the thought that you want to give them to us, really wouldn't fit into our lives, Dad, and I don't think we'd be comfortable having them in the house."

He should understand, aqnd maybe a cousin would want them and be absolutely thrilled to have them. There were items in my mother's home that she absolutely treasured, but none of her children could find any use or love for those items. I think the main thing is to show the appreciation for the offer as it is a beautiful thing.

[sapphire-rose]

Amazing read;

My grandmother passed away @ 54 years young. An aunt by marriage took a lot of the "stuff" that my grandmothers own daughters would have liked. She had a "shadow box" filled with figurines. I had always loved looking at them. I wish I could have them now 43 years later. Grandfather had an old trunk (actually a few) filled with WWII "stuff" in a huge barn/garage. when he sold the house, in his much older years, there was just so much in the house. He moved into a mobil home. So all the tools he worked his land in the younger days of his life, the WWII stuff was all left behind for the new owners to decide what to do with it. We his grand kids so not know for sure what treasures were in there. The last we had ever sneaked a peek we were very little. I do remember uniforms a bayonet, one hand gun one rifle. Gas mask... and of course all manner of tools hung up on the walls.
Now... my hubby's family kept many things. His dad kept wheat pennys. Some coin sets. We have recipets for stuff that fell apart ages ago and are gone. His mom had kept the cards she recieved for the birth of her children, anniversaries etc. These things go back to the 40's and are beautiful. The huge amount of pennies I have no clue what to do with, wouldn't know a valuable one if it hit me between the eyes. We have no family to give this stuff to that any of it would have any sentimental value to. Costume jewelery mixed in with the real good stuff and no I cannot tell the difference. "IF" any of this has any value to it, goodness knows hubby and I could use it. But alas we do not even know where to begin to find out.
My mom has some nice jewelery that she wants me to have, being the only daughter. I really am not a jewelery person, I asked her to give it to her grand daughters. But I guess she wants ME to have it. So I'll take it. Eventually give it to my daughter (old enough to value and appreciate it now), and also my neices when they get older. LOL my dad has a telescope that belonged to a whaling capt. John Howland, my brothers and I ALL want that one item.
So I guess many families have things that have some value, be it monetery or sentimental that they want to hand down. Ever catch Antiques Road Show? It amazes me what people find or have and the $$$ they find it is worth.

[TKramar]

Anything I own should be either given away or burned when I die. I don't have anything I "value". The electronics and appliances in our home were things I purchased for my girlfriend, and she can take them with her if she goes.

I don't have anything I consider valuable enough to SELL. "Free to good home"...that's the way I see it.

As far as the guns, they can't be dangerous unless they have ammunition.

[molochai2580]

My mother and her mother are both packrats. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything of any value and my tastes run so far from their taste that there isn't a whole lot that I would want. Grandma jokes that when she dies, we are going to be cursing her as we try and clean out her house and storage.

Personally once my aunt and my mother go through and take what they want and I pick the few things of grandma's that I want the rest is either going to be sodl at a yard sale or thrown in a dumpster. They same will be done when my mother dies, once I go through and take what I want and the rest will be sold or trashed. I have a hard enough time getting my husband to throw things away and there is no more room in our house for anything.

[Cecilia_Rose]

Im a professional packrat. I used to deal in antiques. My house is bursting but I stil find a new klediment to wedge in occasionally. And yes I know I have way too much stuff. But I dont give a rats patootie. I like it. And Im keepin it.

A word of warning. Just because you dont like it doesnt mean it doesnt have value. You would be surprized whats valuable. So dont dumpster ANYTHING. If you just want to unload then call an auctioner or tag sale person. You get money and you dont have to mess with it. What a deal.

I know what some of you are going thru tho. My Mom just passed away. Im in the process of cleanin out her house. Mom wasnt into keeping stuff like me but theres still a lot of "stuff". Most of it given by yours truly. Only child. its funny most stuff gets passed from parents to children but in our case it was me doing the passing. .

[mrstewart]

This post comes at a great time.

My grandmother who is almost 90 is moving in with me and my family in 3 weeks. I just went to her home to help her pack and she wanted to bring all of it with her. At first I was bewildered that she would want to bring some of the things but then I had to realize this "stuff" brings her comfort. I will deal with going through it later.

[Cecilia_Rose]

Originally Posted by mrstewart

This post comes at a great time.

My grandmother who is almost 90 is moving in with me and my family in 3 weeks. I just went to her home to help her pack and she wanted to bring all of it with her. At first I was bewildered that she would want to bring some of the things but then I had to realize this "stuff" brings her comfort. I will deal with going through it later.

I not 90 but I know how she feels. I like my "stuff". I would miss it if it were gone. I couldnt live in a nekid house. Some things have memories and some I just like.

Seriously I am trying. But its hard. I want to keep everything. You might try this on your Gram. I have better luck making me get rid of stuff if I break it down into smaller categories. For example today I brought all of Moms crochet and embroidery stuff home. Yarn, doilies, old pattern books, etc. I added it to mine and then I picked my favs. The spare yarn is going to the ladies who make hats for the cancer
patients who lose their hair.

The other day I brought home all the kitchen stuff. When I drug out mine and added it to hers I found I had 7 crock pots. Im keeping two. One to cook in and one to melt candle wax for projects. I took the other 5 to the church down the road that does suppers. Im finding that once I drag everything out and see that I have duplicates its easier to get rid of stuff.

[mr bolo]

I collect some militaria because of the historical value, it's a piece of history