The start of a new year is traditionally a time of decluttering – which is why the drop-off bays of charity shops are now groaning under the weight of literally tonnes of second-hand items. But while quitting the clutter of possessions such as unwanted furniture and kitchen equipment is one thing, decluttering memorabilia is quite another.
Memorabilia encompasses a whole range of objects which hold special significance for us. It’s often connected to special periods of life such as the time we spent getting to know our future life partner (think movie tickets and holiday brochures), or the birth of our children (nappy pins, baby bonnets, and booties). Or it could be concerned with special achievements such as excelling at sport or in the workplace (think medals, trophies, and certificates). If you’re a collector or an enthusiast, memorabilia will extend to special objects to do with these interests (such as a signed rugby ball or first edition stamps).
Perhaps the most significant memorabilia anyone ever holds onto is connected to the people they love most, whether they are still alive or have passed on. This kind of memorabilia literally binds us to these loved ones like an invisible glue, and whether it’s in the form of correspondence, photos, gifts, clothing, art, home videos, or jewellery – the list is endless – it is the most difficult of memorabilia to part with. Letting go of these items can actually feel as though you are letting go of a loved one. It can even feel as though you are dismissing the relationship you have or once had with them.
No wonder decluttering any kind of memorabilia, especially that connected with significant others, can seem like an impossible task. If you are facing this truly difficult, emotional, but necessary journey, we hope the following tips will help start you on your way.
Memorabilia is important because it reminds you of another person, time, or place. But memories also have the power to do this. Instead of feeling you need to hold onto physical items, purchase a beautiful journal. As you farewell a physical piece of memorabilia, note down what it is, and a sentence about what it reminds you of.
Use your camera to photograph items of memorabilia you wish to part with. Safely stored on your device (especially if backed up in a digital storage system) you can enjoy looking at these memory joggers again and again – and much more easily than having to get them down from a shelf or out of a cluttered drawer. Use digital folders to store your photographs logically under different headings (such as ‘wedding,’ ‘rugby memorabilia,’ etc). This will make accessing your ‘digital memorabilia’ easier.
Consider gifting memorabilia to a younger member of your family who will appreciate it as much as you did. You may have a daughter-in-law who is keen on family history who would welcome family diaries, or a grandson who would love nothing better than to have your cricket memorabilia on a bedroom shelf.
Your memorabilia may be of significance to a local or national museum, Archives New Zealand, a research library, or a sport’s club. Take photos of the items you think could be of interest and email them through to the appropriate organisation to enquire.
Memorabilia can be valuable, and while no amount of money will compensate you for its loss, it can make parting with items more palatable. This is especially the case if the proceeds can be gifted to a good cause. If you have, for example, a collection of collectable early music LPs, and you are able to sell them for a few hundred dollars, you could put the money towards music lessons for a grandchild, or use it to help purchase a musical instrument for a local band.
Finally, it’s worth considering the bigger picture. Just as we can’t take our money with us when we pass away, the same is true for our memorabilia. While these cherished items carry deep personal meaning, they may not hold the same significance for others. By thoughtfully decluttering now, you can decide where these treasures will go, whether that’s gifting them to loved ones or donating them to a good cause. This not only ensures they are appreciated but also spares the next generation the emotional and logistical challenge of sorting through your possessions in the future. It’s a practical act of kindness and one that lets you celebrate the memories they represent in your own way.
By storing items of memorabilia in more compact ways, and by using them to enrich the lives of others, you may find the task of memorabilia-decluttering an enjoyable and rewarding experience.