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Post by travelscrapper on Apr 26, 2020 22:54:53 GMT
My mom passed away 2 years ago and I have her china, I also have my Grandmothers China --she's been gone 30+ years. I'm starting another round of purge as I move further down the "grief road". I'm in my 50's w/no children and I know I won't use it in the next 30 years as we don't entertain like this because we don't have the space to. My only/older sister and I don't speak--giving it to her isn't an option and my nieces dont want it. I'm very sentimental and hope that one of my nieces will change thier mind in the next few months and take it but in my heart I know they won't.
I'm at a loss as to what to do I've always been overly sentimental and tender hearted so I'm really struggling with the idea of selling it. Any suggetions or personal stories you want to share?
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by AllieC on Apr 26, 2020 22:59:49 GMT
With my grandmother's china, I kept one lovely cup. It sits as a reminder of her like an ornament and I think of her each time I see it. I would do the same, at the moment this collection is a burden to you but you can't bring yourself to get rid of it due to sentiment. Keep a few special pieces then donate it perhaps? I know that my Mum has used some of her special cups to pot succulents in for birthday gifts.
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Post by quinlove on Apr 26, 2020 22:59:56 GMT
I’m sorry for your losses. What about keeping a plate or a cup ? That one piece would remind you of them.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:01:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2020 23:00:05 GMT
Any cousins who might enjoy the China? If not, then I’d donate it to someone who will appreciate them like a friend’s child. No reason to have them sit around collecting dust and making you feel bad.
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Post by femalebusiness on Apr 26, 2020 23:01:00 GMT
Welcome to the club. I've been storing my mom's china for years. I've tried to pawn it off on everyone in the family to no avail. I also have her silver set of utensils and serving pieces in a nice wooden box. Don't want them either. I have threatened to make a wind chime out of them...but that's another thread.
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Post by travelscrapper on Apr 26, 2020 23:04:28 GMT
Any cousins who might enjoy the China? If not, then I’d donate it to someone who will appreciate them like a friend’s child. No reason to have them sit around collecting dust and making you feel bad. My Dad was an only child so can't get rid of my Grandma's china to a relative. I might be able to give my mom's to a cousin---she might like it, good idea. My close like sister friends have alreay been down this road with their kids already. |
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Apr 26, 2020 23:05:22 GMT
You could put it in my basement. That's where my mother-in-law's, mother's and grandmother's china are. My kids are going to hate me in 40 years.
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Dallie
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Feb 25, 2020 16:33:25 GMT
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Post by Dallie on Apr 26, 2020 23:06:06 GMT
It is very difficult to sell China today for any real money. Lots of thrift stores will not accept it.
I would keep a piece of two and out the rest for sale or for.free.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Apr 26, 2020 23:08:45 GMT
Do you like the China? Would you use it as your everyday diishware?
Does it make you happy to look at it? You could use a few pieces in an unconventional way, such as a planter, or a bird bath.
If you are only keeping it because you feel you should, and not because you have fond memories every time you look at it, then you should sell it or give to a more distant family member who does want it.
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Post by roberta on Apr 26, 2020 23:11:45 GMT
You could put it in my basement. That's where my mother-in-law's, mother's and grandmother's china are. My kids are going to hate me in 40 years. My dd had a nightmare that she had to sort through all my family treasures and craft supplies! It was exaggerated in the nightmare of course but the fact was that to her it was a nightmare! |
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Post by travelscrapper on Apr 26, 2020 23:11:46 GMT
Welcome to the club. I've been storing my mom's china for years. I've tried to pawn it off on everyone in the family to no avail. I also have her silver set of utensils and serving pieces in a nice wooden box. Don't want them either. I have threatened to make a wind chime out of them...but that's another thread. Oh yeah I have all of that as well. I'm seriosuly making a box for all my nieces of small things for them. My "gut" feeling is in 10 years they might appreciate this. Right now they are too consuemd with their families as they all have little kids and in the toy mode. I also think the grief from my mom dieing still hurts, as my mom's passing was very -very unexpected, and she was really close to them. |
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Post by roberta on Apr 26, 2020 23:14:00 GMT
I think the idea of keeping a few special pieces or one or two place settings is wonderful. Cups, bowls and coffee or teapots make lovely planters. Check replacements dot com to get an idea of what it is worth (that is a higher price but it should give you a ballpark idea.)
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Post by Linda on Apr 26, 2020 23:16:57 GMT
((((Hugs)))) and prayers. I'm sorry for your losses.
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Post by AussieMeg on Apr 26, 2020 23:22:18 GMT
I'm sorry about your mum. It's only been two years so I can see why it's such a hard decision for you at the moment. In your situation I think I'd be more inclined to sell / donate your Grandmother's china and keep your mum's for now.
Some people have mentioned that you could take one cup and plate out of the set. My Aunty gave me a cup and saucer that was my Nanna's, and I love it. It's Duchess bone china from England, from the Summer range. I saw something similar at a charity shop recently - it was four trios of tea cup, saucer and tea plates, and each trio was selling for $25 - so $100 for all four. If you do decide to sell it, be aware that people would be less likely to buy the set if there are pieces missing.
I have got to the point in my life where I look at crap that I've kept for sentimental reasons, and thought to myself.... What is going to happen to this stuff when I die? Are my kids likely to keep it? Am I going to use it again? A lot of the time the answer is a resounding no, which makes the decision to get rid of it that much easier.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,181
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Post by mich5481 on Apr 26, 2020 23:29:25 GMT
Depending on how fragile it is, maybe see if there is a local organization that works with kids aging out of foster care. Many of them have nothing, so a set of dishes might help them in their first apartment. I say this if it is dishwasher safe, of course.
Another idea is to talk to local nursing homes and see if they do tea parties for residents. They might like some fancy china for the residents to use. I know years again, there were a group of ladies who hosted tea parties at my grandmother's retirement home, and she seemed to enjoy the occasion to get dressed up and socialize.
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mich5481
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Post by mich5481 on Apr 26, 2020 23:34:22 GMT
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leeny
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Post by leeny on Apr 26, 2020 23:40:53 GMT
I am in the same situation. No one that I know recently getting married registers for china and we don't entertain that way either. I've been toying with making stepping stones from some of the plates for my sisters, daughters and cousins. We have a local senior organization that takes donated coffee mugs and arranges flowers in them for nursing home Mom's for Mother's Day. I bet they would take my tea cups, too.
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Coffee Mom
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Dec 18, 2018 0:16:30 GMT
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Post by Coffee Mom on Apr 26, 2020 23:53:32 GMT
Most old China is leaded, if that helps. My inherited China set has lead (over 30,000 ppm lead, nothing above 90 is legal for children and I have small children) and it is 100 years old soooo... we will never be using it. I plan on keeping a cup and saucer for display/sentiment but I’m not sure how to get rid of the rest without hurting feelings so, in boxes it sits. Lol...
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Post by catmom on Apr 27, 2020 0:08:06 GMT
Do you like the China? Would you use it as your everyday diishware? Does it make you happy to look at it? You could use a few pieces in an unconventional way, such as a planter, or a bird bath. If you are only keeping it because you feel you should, and not because you have fond memories every time you look at it, then you should sell it or give to a more distant family member who does want it. I agree - if you actually like it or it makes you happy, why not make some or all of it your everyday dishes. If the idea of actually using it and seeing it everyday doesn’t bring you happiness, then maybe you’re just keeping it out of guilt? |
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Post by mmmom on Apr 27, 2020 0:20:28 GMT
Years ago, I found a stand that holds 4 teacups and saucers. I have one from each of my grandmothers, as well as my mom and the on the bottom is mine. It brings me joy seeing it in my dining room and I don’t have any guilt over not keeping whole set in a box that I wouldn’t see everyday. I also second using the set as your everyday China if you like it and it’s safe.
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Apr 27, 2020 0:23:39 GMT
What about putting them in an outdoor fairy garden?
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Post by Restless Spirit on Apr 27, 2020 0:26:04 GMT
You could put it in my basement. That's where my mother-in-law's, mother's and grandmother's china are. My kids are going to hate me in 40 years. Ok. That made me laugh. My DH’s grandmother’s dishes are residing in my basement, along with my late mother’s Christmas dishes. I’ve tried to give them to our DD because, duh, she has a bigger basement than I do. She’s not buying that logic. Ha. I do like the idea of keeping a cup, saucer and plate for each of us. I gave my grandmother’s Blue Willow Ware dishes to a resale shop that benefits children and battered women. I wish I would have at least kept a cup and saucer. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Apr 27, 2020 0:33:58 GMT
I had my grandmothers dishes for about 25 years. I've only ever used them a handful of times over those years. Last year I was purging and I decided I just have to let things go. So i sold them, but kept a place setting and that has made me happy. My mom passed away close to 2 years ago, I got her pretty glasses that we used for holidays. When my aunt found out I got the glasses she gave me the dishes that apparently went with them. So now I am right back to having a huge set of dishes that I will never use. These are beautiful white milk glass with silver trim. I have no sentimental attachment to these dishes as I didn't even know they existed. But I feel bad just getting rid of them. I tried selling them, but had no offers on and I thought I had them reasonably priced. I tend to sell things cheap just to get them out of the house.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 27, 2020 0:39:46 GMT
My aunt took my grandmother’s china as per Mum she deserved it. I sure didn’t want it. I love my parents’ China and will use it. DS can deal with it.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:01:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2020 2:19:11 GMT
Another idea is to talk to local nursing homes and see if they do tea parties for residents. They might like some fancy china for the residents to use. I know year again, there were a group of ladies who hosted tea parties at my grandmother's retirement home, and she seemed to enjoy the occasion to get dressed up and socialize. This is an excellent idea. |
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Post by chlerbie on Apr 27, 2020 2:25:01 GMT
Ugh, I'm in the same boat. I have my mother's and grandmother's. I kept a few things that I really love and have the rest boxed away.
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msliz
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Post by msliz on Apr 27, 2020 2:27:44 GMT
If you decide to just keep a few pieces and sell the rest, Replacements, Ltd. might buy them when they reopen for business. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2020 2:30:53 GMT
We still have DH's mom's china (2 huge boxes of it, service for *18*!!!!!!). I don't need it and DH doesn't want it. I have my own china and about 5 other sets of dishes (seasonal). I'm registered on Replacements.com for my china and crystal. I'd get an alert if they want to buy it. Maybe you could try that??
We're waiting for over 10 years now, for DH's daughter to come pick up her grandmother's china. She really wants it, and she only lives 3 hours away. He'd love that it would go to a family member who would cherish it. We just need her to pick it up!!!! We keep lugging it to each new apartment that we move into! Good luck!
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Post by scrapbookwriter on Apr 27, 2020 2:34:57 GMT
My brother has my mom's china and uses it as everyday dishes.
I inherited two sets of Lenox china from my aunt - one silver and one gold. I use the gold set for holidays and romantic dinners. As our kids gained significant others I needed more place settings. Replacements.com sells one dinner plate for $110. I found eight dinner plates on e-bay for $99. I didn't buy any of the other pieces, just the dinner plates. This china is beautiful on my table and I love it.
I had the china tested for lead and it's totally safe.
If your china doesn't bring you joy, and you don't use it, I like the idea of keeping one cup and saucer, or one serving dish, that will make you happy.
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Post by buddysmom on Apr 27, 2020 3:27:45 GMT
I would just get rid of it. I've discussed with my kids-there's a couple of pieces of "art"--not expensive but things they like. These are the only things that they want.
Other than that--they just want the cold hard cash. We have a lot of ornate figurines from the "old country" that they could incorporate to contemporary decor and they said "no way."
You need to be realistic. I had a "family heirloom" piano that I lugged around forever and gave it way. I was thrilled.
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