Earlier this week I went to an Ugly Sweater Party and since the party was in February, I didn’t want to wear my reindeer vest that I would typically wear to one of these parties.  I went searching through my “Keepsake” box for an sweater from the 80’s!  I am a bit shocked at how well it fit because I am not even close to the same size I was in 7th grade!

Old Ugly SweaterThis got me thinking about “should I really be keeping these keepsakes”?  The dictionary describes a keepsake as anything kept, or given to be kept, as a token of friendship or affection; remembrance.

My collection of 80’s sweaters (I have 3) are not really keepsakes because they don’t really bring back memories from those times but are great for certain parties so that I don’t have to go searching in the thrift store.  My parents are planning to downsize in the near future and it seems that every time I visit them or they visit us, I gain another tub of keepsakes.  Do I really need 3 tubs of stuffed animals, notebooks and video tapes?  Today, I condensed 3 tubs to 1 tub (with room to spare). I could also get rid of more but I figure if I am going to keep 1 tube, I should keep more than 2 books in it.

Keepsakes 1DSC_1385The items that I will be donating, still bring back memories but I can get the same feeling from a picture and I don’t need to keep the Winnie the Pooh I bought while working at Disney World or the Braniff bag from my Uncle Ray who used to be a pilot.  Here are some tips on taking photos of your keepsakes!

  • Grab a plain black sheet (or at least a solid color).  I actually have a black and a white twin flat sheet that I purchase for under $5 each for taking pictures of items
  • Find a location shot location.  I really like using a bed because you can place the sheets covering the pillows and the bed so that the sheet is behind an below the item.
  • Test different kinds of light.  Natural Light from a window, no over head light, with flash or without.

Flash Off

I am not saying purge all your keepsakes, just think about if they are really worth keeping!

  • Will the memory change if I get rid of the item and just keep a picture?
  • Could this item find a better home?  For example, the little Braniff bag is going to my Uncle Ray’s granddaughter Emma.  (or maybe I should check eBay since Braniff went out of business in 1982)

2020 Update

I did a Zoom Virtual Mastermind earlier year and one day had a 1980’s theme. I dug out my New Kids on the Block t-shirt from the first time I saw them in concert and I recreated my bedroom walls using the scanned magazine pages for my Zoom background.

1 Comment

  1. Jane Tonjes

    Great ideas..

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

8 Apps to Backup your Photos!

8 Apps to Backup your Photos!

Join our mailing list to receive "A guide to the 8 best apps for backing up and syncing your photos on your phone" and occasionally tips on how to organize, preserve, share and celebrate your memories!

Great! Check your email for the guide!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This