Creative Uses for Sentimental Items

So do many, many others when dealing with sentimental items; like Grandma's china set, Grandpa's fishing hat, or Aunt Mary's 70's Tupperware set.

Anxiety sets in when we have these special items, but aren't sure how to store them or what to do with them. More often than not these relics end up collecting dust in a box where no one can see and enjoy them.

So, today I'd like to suggest a few creative ways to honor your sentimental items in your home.

Creative Ways to Display Sentimental Items

1. Shadow Box Displays: Use shadow boxes to arrange and display smaller sentimental items such as tickets, letters, jewelry, or small trinkets. Hang them on a wall or bookshelf, and even add themes to each shadow box.

2. Gallery Wall: Gallery walls can be beautiful, creative, and unique in any space. Using frames of different sizes and styles to showcase photographs, postcards, handwritten notes, or artwork illustrates visual interest and great story-telling moments.

3. Memory Jars or Bottles: Transparent jars or bottles filled with items like seashells, sand, small trinkets, or notes can add texture, warmth, and color to a room. Label each jar with the date or occasion it represents and display them on shelves or mantels.

4. Hanging Mobiles or Hanging Wire: Make a hanging mobile or hanging wire to display photographs, small art pieces, or mementos.  This is especially fun in a kids room or play area. 

5. Magnet/Chalkboard Wall: Dedicate a wall in your home as a large chalkboard or magnet-board to hang photographs, artwork, postcards, and other mementos. You can change out items when you'd like and add to it. This is a great idea for kids or grandkids to have a place to show off their creations. 

6. Vintage Frame Display: Find vintage frames at thrift stores or flea markets and use them to display sentimental items. You can attach items directly to the backboard or use strings and clips to hang them within the frame.

7. Bookshelf Displays or Wall Cubbies: Arrange sentimental items on your bookshelves or wall cubbies, alongside books and decorative objects. Use bookends or small shelves to create dedicated spaces for displaying special items. You can also use decorative boxes or baskets to contain smaller items within each cubby.

8. Memory Box Coffee Table: Use a decorative box or chest as a coffee table and fill it with sentimental items such as photographs, letters, or small keepsakes. Guests can lift the lid to explore the contents and hear the stories behind each item. You can also find glass lid coffee tables to display mementos. 

If an item holds special meaning to you or your family, honor it by celebrating it in your home. 

Don't let it collect dust.