Inherited lots of engraved crystal canisters and vases. What do I do with it?

[StonesinMyPocket]

I like my house as minimalist as possible. When we cleared out my grandmothers house,s he had lots of crystal which is quite sentimental in value as they were prizes with engraving showing her name the year etc.
I have them hiding in a cupboard but I want the cupboard back for more useful stuff. I don't want to dispose of them or charity shop. I don't really want them on display (4 or 5 quite big items and lots of small stuff like ashtrays, and not my taste). I don't see the point in putting them in the attic as thats pretty much the same as the bin. I think its the emotion tied to these items that makes it difficult to figure out what to do. Can I get some ideas?

[TheSpottedZebra]

Could you photograph them and keep the picture, and let the others go?
Or keep one, two etc and again dispose of the others?

Or reuse one/them in some way, (eg plant holders) that links to your gm but is more to your aesthetic?

Or just spend some time with the vases and l then let them all go? Is there something else that reminds you of her more?

I'm rubbish with sentimental things so the worst to advise. But - they are only things. And she wouldn't have wanted you to feel burdened by them. They were rewards for her achievements which you can still recognise and honour, without keeping the prize.

[Floggingmolly]

Could you put big candles in them and use them as hurricane lamps in the fireplace, or would that be as much clutter as using them as ornaments?

[OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias]

Do the organisations who gave her the awards still exist? Is there any chance they may be able to give the trophies a home for their historical interest?

[Floggingmolly]

Oh, that's a really good idea, Outrageous!

[StonesinMyPocket]

Plant holders is a good idea, I do need. Them, but never made the connection.

[Gentlelope]

I don't know if this would even be possible and it might not appeal to you, but I was thinking maybe an artist who works with glass might be able to make some kind of chandelier out of them. You'd have to break them up, obviously, but the pieces could be polished into droplets or interesting shapes and strung up to make a light, or to make a ceiling installation of some kind (thinking about Cornelia Parker's exploded shed installation, but using crystal droplets). That may be totally impractical though, but just a thought.

[80sWaistcoat]

If you google 'repurposing crystal vases' there's some quite interesting images come up. Quite a few chandeliers. I'd be worried about them dropping on someone's head...

[80sWaistcoat]

Or turning them into a glass panel...

[StonesinMyPocket]

Repurposing them as something useful seems the most practical, thanks for the ideas. And passing on a couple of ones that I can't do anything with. You're right, I don't need all of them.
Returning the awards not an option, they are not some big honour, a local hobby!