Okay, so I’m cleaning Liv’s closet this morning and I’m coming across a ton of old items I should probably give away. Cute teeny baby shoes, brand-new-still-in-the-packaging baby blankets, old toys, you name it. Here’s what I’m wondering: How many things is it appropriate to keep for sentimental reasons? Should I hang on to Livia’s first pair of baby shoes or the pink cowgirl boots she wore for months on end? I’m in the mood to purge, people. This is a rare occasion, one to embrace fully.
View from the Prairie Box
Extra Fresh Bloggage / Updated Almost Daily
8 Comments
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt Oct 6, 2008 10:25 AM
The new stuff in packaging, I usually throw in a bin to have on hand to stuff in as “extras” in gift bags for showers n’ such.
Keep what you would want to maybe show her kids? and give away (or sell!) the rest.
Rebecca Oct 6, 2008 11:11 AM
I pulled out a few small shoes to keep for sentimental reasons and I’m sending the rest to a pregnant friend. I store old clothes in totes (for the next Tredway baby) or pass them along for my niece Madeleine. I think the new blankets will go to a teen parent ministry through our church and Campus Life… if they need them. If not, I’ll give them away. If I was more organized, I’d give them as a gifts like Moriah suggests!
Can y’all tell I’m an external processor? I did just wonder why I’m writing this on my blog. Go figure.
meg Oct 6, 2008 12:20 PM
I am keeping all the boy’s clothes. I plan on piecing together a quilt out of the boy’s baby clothes for when they move from their toddler beds to a twin bed.
As for shoes, last Christmas Ruth pulled out all baby shoes she saved from her kids. She could tell from the way the shoe was worn down which kid wore which shoe. It was neat to hear the stories… So my vote is keep the ones that she wore all the time and then the tiny pair to show her how little she once was.
Erin Oct 6, 2008 1:05 PM
I think it depends on your personality (sentimental or not) but I would say if you have a picture of it, that’s enough. Give the rest away to someone that can use it. My mom and Jason’s mom saved an outfit when we were babies and they’re so yellow and old that now they’re just sitting in MY closet….still not being used. I’ve saved all of the boys clothes because I wasn’t sure how many little kiddo’s we were going to have and it saves money to just use the use the clothes we already have, rather than getting rid of them and then having to buy more clothes for the next baby.
I don’t mean to sound harsh but I am a purger as well…especially living in small spaces with little storage.
Kerri Oct 6, 2008 2:22 PM
For my kids, I tried to save just one outfit that reminded me of them when they were small–not that I expect any of their children to wear it, but just as one keepsake. (Although I will admit, I think I have a few more than that of Anna’s–perhaps because she was the last girl and girly stuff is usually so much cuter than boy stuff….) Then I gave the rest away to someone who could use it.
I’m a purger as well. But not a binge and purger. :)
Peggy Braden Oct 7, 2008 2:40 PM
Dear Rebecca,
I’m not in the habit of sending unrequested product information to anyone. But in reading about your precious family I just had to. The entry regarding your child’s first pair of baby shoes just warmed my heart and the Mom in me took over and I felt that I should at least offer the suggestion that you take a look at http://www.babyshoeboxmemories.com.
My son, who’s baby shoes are still beautifully intact like he just stepped out of them (almost 30 years ago), manages
the business that I developed several years ago in honor of my wonderful children. This is not an attempt to sell any product, just visit the gallery to see the possibilities and even more reasons to save those precious baby shoes.I wish you and Jeremy a beautiful life, and may God Bless you with all the ‘little ones’ your heart desires !
Peggy
Rroud Mom of Dan, Andrea,Trey & Amy and 6 beautiful Grandbabies!
Monica Oct 7, 2008 9:12 PM
Hi! I didn’t take time to read all the comments – but thought I’d share what I’m doing.
I kept the outfit I brought them home from the hospital in and then saved a few other special outfits which I plan to cut into squares and make a quilt out of.
I have given many other items away – but by keeping the best of the best and making a quilt out of it – we can enjoy it for many more years to come.
Jen Oct 7, 2008 9:54 PM
Marcus is the keeper – he still has the rockets he set off in elementary school. I purge all. I miss my Barbie van, airplane, vacuum(it lit up), and kitchen, but besides that I don’t think my lack of childhood stash has impacted my life negatively. The girls do have a few things, but we keep it minimal. Clutter makes me crazy.