What to do when cleaning out your parent's home?

A wise neighbor always taught me to give things away when you are still alive so you can watch the person enjoy it. Think about relatives, close friends, neighbors etc whose life was touched by your Dad. Give something to them. It means a lot to people and will make your heart feel good too.

I have learned to just enjoy giving/donating most everything that is more than I use day to day. I try to avoid throwing "good money after bad" by "building /buying shrines to clutter".

Unfortunately a problem so many of us are dealing with. I still have at least eight boxes of "collectibles/antiques" left from my mom after giving most everything else away. Never thought of listing free on Craig's List, I might give that a try. I am learning and plan to get rid of my stuff while I'm still around to see it give someone else pleasure. It is a good idea to wait a little while before getting rid of everything, but don't hold on to it. Good luck!

I had the unfortunate job of cleaning up my mom's house after she passed. After all the Doulton and porcelain things were distributed evenly amongst the kids, I was left with 50 years of . Things I could not give away, I now have in my craft room. The teacups that my mom never used because they were too pretty are now pincushions for when I sew, the crystal bowls are kept out with pretty decorations in them, the silver trays were converted into a lazy suzy with old candle stick holders in the middle to hold my craft supplies; an old rocking chair that belonged to my grandma now holds my quill pen and ink; the miniatures she had were put into snow globes for my grands; her earrings and beads are now waiting to be restrung into something pretty and last but not least the gold earrings she wore at our wedding 43 years ago along with a piece of her necklace and her wedding band is sewn onto a mini red stocking and hung on the Christmas tree. Her knitting needles are in a crystal vase which are in my tv room so I can use them as needed. Just a few suggestions - use what you have they do no good in a drawer or in the attic....if that is the case....donate, donate, donate

If there are any elder-care facilities for the less fortunate, they might allow you to offer some "pretties" to brighten someone's room

If you have given everything away that you want to and really don't want, need, or even like an item, take a picture of it and make a memory book. Then if it's of any value sell it on eBay, Craigslist etc or donate it. If it's just a recent passing, don't make hasty decisions yet. Sorry for your loss.

I would donate to a organization that would help low income folks, or charity. These folks would be so thankful. It is a great task to help clean out a parents home, just don't do it too fast, ok? I did this too. What is not important to you, may be very important to others. Bless you as take on this task.

I would like to suggest an excellent resource dealing with such a problem, specifically, if I may... "The Boomer Burden: Dealing With Your Parents Lifetime Accumulation of Stuff" by Julie Hall, The Estate Lady.

She is an estate appraiser and has put this binder style book together to cover all the topics of your question above. I was able to get a near-new copy thru Amazon for about half the price of retail. It is a great help. A caveat to you: proceed carefully with these belongings and check with your father/estate administrator before disposing of anything. Good Luck!

Take pictures of these items and get rid of them. You said it yourself you don't like shelves and yet drowning in things you don't need,just not practical have you asked family members if they want any of it? Do that and then I'm not trying to be insensitive but this is no different than when kids bring artwork home, it I had kept it all this entire house could be wallpapered with it so keep what's the most memorable for you and then take photos and donate. Also try online sometimes people have what someone else has to complete a set then you can put that towards your dad's care. Just a thought.

How about a FREE yard sale just before Christmas for 12 and younger children to pick 3 items for parents. PS Adults have to stay outside the room.

Well, have you tried other family members, maybe they might want some stuff? Giving it away to a local church, they have "yard sales" sometimes with donations.

Maybe you could make some sort of art object with the plates, cups, and bowls?

Whatever you do I hope it all works out for you!

Oh, how I feel your pain as I just did this for my mother. I kept a few (very few) things and gave a few things to several staff members who cared for my mother. They all loved her and were thrilled with their one or two small gifts. Being a veteran, I then located a veterans' organization as I have found they accept many things other non-profit refuse to take. Good luck as I know it is a struggle with second guessing yourself as to whether you should place that item in the give away box. Remember, there are others who are in great need and could use many of the things you no longer can. Case in point, I had to give away my grandmother's dining room set. I cried but the young family who took it promised to have as many family dinners on it as possible. Grandma only used it for special occasions so I am warmed it will get more FAMILY use with lots of LOVE.

Take pictures of the items. If you are not using them then they are just memories anyway. Donate the actual items.

It may sound kind of strange at first, but... if there are family members under the age of 18, gift wrapping individual items and putting them aside for birthdays and holidays for the years to come not only gives them a chance to mature, a chance to discover that they wish they'd had something of grandma's, but also gives an easy intro to talking about this loved one who's not with you.

I'd wrap them, put two tags on them.

One tag for intended person at intended age, since gifts will be given out over time.

One tag with the item description inside, that would be removed at the time it's given. (This tag is more important than assigning the gift).

Store wrapped items in a clear plastic sealed tub in the attic.

???

Suggestion comes from: My parents passed when I was nine. Very little family left and no heirlooms to speak of.

If you have China or ceramic items that aren't particularly valuable (definitely check first!) donate them to a mosaic artist. We love getting odd bits to include in our found art projects.

Yes pictures to remember by and as time goes on you can let go of more choose the most important to you and really do something special with those things Bless you prayers

Great idea- thank you, Robby

Sounds like you begun displaying the objects you like....

So it really is okay to let the rest go. Either

by sale, gift or donation. Your memories are what's most

important. And fortunately we can keep those in our hearts.

If you aren't a member of Freecycle. Check online to see if there is one in your area. Everything is free, you can post if you are looking for items as well. I found a very clean breast pump for my daughter in law for free.

There is a church nr. my home that has a "clothes closet" for low income women who are going back into the workforce. The closet also takes home items and people come in and fill a bag for about $1.00 of clothes and home items. Once the clothes area ready for re-gifting (particularly children's clothes) to the closet people bring them back and exchange for other items.

Home decor also helps low income families obtain nice items they otherwise could not afford. I have given window shutters, curtain rods, bed linens, towels, etc. and the items went flying out the door. Ask around and I'll bet you will find a "closet" such as the one nr. me. Of course, you get a tax receipt for anything you donate, and it makes you feel good to help those who need it.

When my brother was 20 and in the Navy,he came home to visit my mother when he was on leave. This was in the 50's. I was 11 at the time. I am 69 now. He brought her cases of champagne glasses, crystal champagne glasses. There must have been 48 glasses. I have a set of 12, given to me by my father when my mother died 7 years later. My brother later married and had a son. In 2008 my brother also passed on. I don't know what happened to the other 36 glasses, but the 12 I have are going to his son when he is ready for them. He knows the story behind them and he wants them. I have two daughters and I have other family items they can appreciate, but these glasses belong to my brothers son.

If you don't like a lot of clutter, but want to keep some of the items, here's an idea. Sort the items by "season" -- fall, winter, spring, summer. You could go by color or when you'd most likely use them, for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or ???. Then pack four or five storage tubs, one for each season. Rotate the items to decorate for the seasons. My friend re-decorates her house for each season and it's wonderful!

When my father died I bought his house. With it I bought two attics full of stuff that had been accumulating for 60 years. The Christmas decorations alone were unbelievable as both my parents loved Christmas. I kept some, shared some with the grandkids etc. However my father also kept all of his manual tools. My younger brother got all the power tools but I was left with tools that no one wants anymore. I found a charity called The Compassionate Warehouse. They accept manual tools, old medical devices such as canes, walkers etc and ship them down to Africa twice a year to places were these items are badly needed. Out went hammers, screwdrivers, nails, screws, etc that I cannot use but someone else can. Even local charity shops will not take these as they are not what people in the West use anymore. Just a thought.

Read a book called Swedish Death Cleaning, and or Spark Joy. Each of these books can help you find a different way through and improve your current living space dramatically.

Hi Pat, for the items you want to keep, perhaps you could put them in a shadow box and hang somewhere you will see them every day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOXH5qxlRfs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXcjNOWwzCU

For the items you cannot get rid of other items have thought of donating to good will or other charities?