Can I get rid of this sentimental thing from MIL?

[Anonymous]

Ask her if she wants them back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIL collects trinkets. Has curio cabinets full of things that, to me, are tacky. Star trek figurines, little model cars, fairys, etc. She had this display of porcelain teddy bears dressed as sailors in various poses. There are like 50 of them. She gave them to us about 10 years ago... these boxes have followed us as we moved around the country. At this point these bears are an inside joke between DH and I. I will never display them. I hate knick knacks. MIL will occasionally ask about things she has given us... things that have meaning to her but none to us. I am going through the basement decluttering today... can I at long last get rid of these bears? If I offer them back to her she will be really offended... if I get rid of them and she finds out... really offended.

Eh, I would keep them unless you truly do not have space for the box.

[Anonymous]

Display a couple for each kid and donate the rest. You could even look into donating them to a long term care facility to use as Bingo prizes or something. They'd love it!

[Anonymous]

Keep in the in a box in storage.

[Anonymous]

Are they selling on ebay?

[Anonymous]

Is this the straw that broke the camels back? Is the box huge? If not, put it in the attic and move on. No clue why they matter to MIL but they do, so hang onto them. Your DH will probably appreciate the weirdness in a new way when she is gone and be glad you did.

[Anonymous]

Keep them in the box. In the future refuse any "gifts" like it. MIL is always trying to dump her crap on us but now DH tells her no. I found that once it is in the house it is very hard to get rid of.

[Anonymous]

I would give them to goodwill, especially if she hasn't specifically asked about them. It's been 10 years. Don't give them back to her or mention them. She has more than enough stuff. I am constantly decluttering, because my husband grew up keeping every single thing. I can't stand having boxes of unnecessary items of our own, let alone other people's stuff.

We moved mil out of a house where she lived like a hoarder of everything she ever collected. You wouldn't believe how much this stuff piles up by thinking it's just one more box.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you look them up on eBay (go by the maker's name, likely on the bottom of the pieces). Usually, these things are worth next to nothing but since the collection is large, don't be surprised if it's worth a couple hundred dollars altogether.

[Anonymous]

Box it, put it in the attic.

Then start selling it on ebay in your spare time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would give them to goodwill, especially if she hasn't specifically asked about them. It's been 10 years. Don't give them back to her or mention them. She has more than enough stuff. I am constantly decluttering, because my husband grew up keeping every single thing. I can't stand having boxes of unnecessary items of our own, let alone other people's stuff.

We moved mil out of a house where she lived like a hoarder of everything she ever collected. You wouldn't believe how much this stuff piles up by thinking it's just one more box.

Exactly this. OK, so it's one box from MIL. Then you can't turn down a box from the OTHER mom, right? And then Grandma dies, and there's a crapton of stuff in her house that "can't" be given away, and would you guys mind storing this for me? Oh, and then the other grandparents die, leaving behind a lake cottage full of stuff, and...

[Anonymous]

I can't help but think it'll be the most hilarious thing to pass on to your DC(s) when they move out! Joke wedding (re)gift!!

It really is okay. I've had my grandmother's religious figures for years, and most are broken in some way. I gave them to a sibling. The eye roll alone was worth having them around all these years! I held my breath until they were packed into the car, and laughed after they pulled off!

Family.

[Anonymous]

I vote to sell them and buy yourself something that you do like. If your MIL really cherished them, she wouldn't have given them away. If she asks about them.....lie, lie, lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, it's amazing how many things have broken/gotten lost in moves over the the years. Such a shame.

My parents house was destroyed by a tornado when I was in my mid 20s. I used it as an excuse to throw away everything I had saved out of obligation and when people ask I just say it was all still stored at my parents house from my move after college and was lost in the storm. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Are they worth anything?

I'm in the same boat. My 70 year old aunt gave me a creepy porcelain doll she had for 5 decades. There's a few on eBay for $50. I feel bad because she is attached to it, but yeah, I really don't want this.