Having family heirlooms is a great way to keep a piece of your past with you. Especially if you had a great relationship with an elderly family member or you feel a particularly keen connection to the history of your family, being given a family heirloom can be quite the honor. And because of this, it’s important that you find ways to preserve and honor the family heirloom that’s been given to you so that you can, one day, pass that piece of your family history onto someone else in your family line.
To help you in doing this, here are three ways to honor family heirlooms.
Share The Stories Of The Heirlooms
Family heirlooms usually become family heirlooms for a reason. But if you don’t know the reason that this particular item has been passed down from family member to family member, it will lose some of that history and magic. So, to ensure that this doesn’t happen to the family heirlooms that are special within your family, it’s important that you learn the stories behind these items and seek to share those stories with those of the younger generation.
It’s always fun to have something that’s a family heirloom and to be asked about it when someone not in your family notices it. It makes you feel proud and connected to something bigger than yourself. And when times are hard, remembering the people who once had these items and that they’re cheering you on can be incredibly helpful.
Proudly Display Heirlooms
While it’s important to learn how to best preserve the family heirlooms that you’ve been given so that they can stand the test of time, it’s a shame to just keep your family heirlooms completely hidden away. There are plenty of ways that you can keep things safe and protected while also putting them on display so that you’re able to enjoy them.
One great way to display family heirlooms is to place them in a hutch or cabinet. These pieces of furniture will be strong and sturdy to support whatever your family heirloom is. And because they have a glass front, you can see them on a regular basis without having to worry about taking them out. And whenever anyone comes into your home, they can see the items that you have displayed and give you a chance to share this part of your family history with them.
Put Heirlooms To Work
For some heirlooms, you can continue using them in a safe and controlled way. Especially for family heirlooms like jewelry, you may want to keep those items close to you so that you know they’re safe while also getting to wear them.
If you asked the person who first had this item, they’d likely want these treasures to be shared and enjoyed, not just kept in a safe where no one can appreciate them. So, if you’re comfortable using some of the heirlooms that you’ve been given, this can be a great way to honor and remember this part of your family.
If you have some family heirlooms that you’re not sure what to do with, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn what some of your options are.
