How to deal with inherited items

17 years ago

Hi everyone....this is not critical, but I was curious to hear of anyone who has had to deal with "getting rid" of your parent's or grandparent's things without feeling guilty.

I inherited my parent's gorgeous dining room set eight years ago. I had the chairs recovered and they look beautiful, however, after using the chairs for the past five years, we had to put them in the attic and purchase new chairs because the old ones were getting rickety. Over the 50 years that my parent's had the set, my Dad has fixed and tried to support the chairs but they are just too delicate.

I have to move next Spring, and I do not know what to do about these chairs. No one in the family is in a position to take the chairs and it will break my heart to just give to a stranger.

If anyone has been through this same dilemma, I would love

to hear about it.

Thanks so much.

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Comments (9)

OklaMoni
17 years ago
I posted mine on craigslist. Didn't get near what it was worth, but I didn't have to move it, and no one wanted it.

I don't have any regrets.

You may try and antique store?

Moni
lindyluwho
17 years ago
I'm sort of in the same boat. My Mom is in an assisted living facility. She has been there 2 years and wouldn't let me do anything with her house. Recently she said I could rent it and I have been trying to get her stuff out of there. So far I have thrown away/or recycled lots of trash. Starting this weekend we will start putting prices on what's let that DD and I didn't want. Most of it is not an issue. There are a few things that DD and I don't want but don't want to get rid of either. For example, there is a clock my dad's parents got when they got married sometime around 1914. I can't just sell it. BFF says to ship it to my cousin w/o asking if she wants it. Then it will be her problem!! Same goes for a desk that my Mom's step-sister owned. It's old and beautiful but we don't want it. (don't have room for it either). Then there are some quilts, bedspread and afghans made by my Grandmothers. Not my taste by how do I not keep them?

Thanks from me too.

Linda
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monica_pa Grieves
17 years ago
Well, if the set is only 50 years old...try to see if anyone wants it, and give it away.

I have my mother's dining room set...and it was also my grandparent's. Over 100 years old. My mother had it restored about 20 years ago.

I sold my dining room set on Craig's list, because it was 40 years old, but still in great shape. Got $200 for it. Basic furniture made back in the 1950's and 60's is probably not worth restoring.

.
maddielee
17 years ago
Your parents would have wanted you to have better stuff.

They would be happy to see you with nicer things.

I know I am thrilled seeing our children doing well enough to buy quality things, in a style that they like...

Don't feel guilty. Take photos of the chairs if you need something to remember. And then donate them to an organization that helps people in need. Or sell them and give the money to your parents' church or favorite charity.
sheilajoyce_gw
17 years ago
Ask around. You may have a friend who would like it free. A friend of mine gave my son some start up furniture for his apartment that was not worth her keeping that had belonged to her dad. He got a side table and an old desk which he could use. I think he still uses them in his bachelor apartment.
grammahony
17 years ago
I think you should ask any other family member if they'd like it first, before selling it. I'd give an arm and leg for one of my grandmother's quilts. I already have 2. They're hand made/quilted, not machine. I know, different strokes for different folks, but they could probably mean a lot to someone.
Like when my gramma died, her kids drew numbers and got to pick items as their numbers came up. There was one uncle who'd passed away, so his kids got to choose. Now the one son and his wife are divorced. I'd really be mad if I ever found out his wife took some of my grandmothers stuff.
Leslie
western_pa_luann
17 years ago
Old rickety chairs should not be taking up so much of your energy.

Since they are so unsafe that they are in your attic instead of being in use, trash them.
Seriously.

Take pictures if necessary...
but your parents got that set to USE, not to take up attic space and not to cause you aggravation.
Since they are not usable, it is time to let them go....
kathy_
17 years ago
I have a friend who has a lr chair that about puts you on the ground when you sit on it. Her aunt gave it to her mother so she thinks she cannot get rid of it. People are not things. I am sure her mother would toss the chair if she were still alive.
There are people who would treasure stuff that you cannot use or do not want. Find them.
socks
17 years ago
It's time to say good-bye to the set. Your parents would not want you struggling with such a big item as a memento of them if it's not working for you any more. I'm sure you have lots of other things you inherited from your parents, not to mention wonderful memories.

I've struggled with similar difficulties with my mother's things. It's not easy because you have an emotional attachment, but we must go forward in our lives and not be dragging too much stuff along with us.

How to deal with inherited items

Comments (9)

OklaMoni

lindyluwho

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