What do you do with keys?

[Yesitsbess]

For clarity, I am fully aware of how keys work and that's not the question but:

I have a drawer full of keys that I have entirely forgotten the purpose of but absolutely cannot throw away just in case I am ever presented with a lock I can't unlock because I threw the key away.

I know at least 3 of them are for a property I haven't lived in for over 2 years. One is for a bike lock I no longer own and two are for padlocks far lost in the mists of time. I just can't throw them away though!

Please tell me it's not just me who has this.

We have a collection of random metals things, that can’t go in our weekly recycling collection, that DH will take to the local recycling centre -along with other stuff-so that it gets recycled rather than going to landfill. Is that an option?

I think keys are often used as charms for protection.
Perhaps craft something?

Big keyring?

@FindingMeno

I think keys are often used as charms for protection. Perhaps craft something?

I need to become a witch, this sounds like good advice

@Whentheydontmeanwhattheysay but what if I am then faced with a lock and I have recycled the key? Gives me hives just thinking about it!

Big Keyring a possibility. I could combine it with being a witch and make a charm chandelier

Well for the keys of the property that you no live in, you could go round there, let yourself in and pop them on the kitchen worktop with a spooky note...

Big Keyring a possibility. I could combine it with being a witch and make a charm chandelier
Exactly

You're not alone, OP. I've a small biscuit tin full of keys. I haven't a clue what most of them are for but l can't fling them out, just in case.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles I do like the "you may be haunted" option there, excellent work.

@DramaAlpaca thank goodness. It makes no sense but I live in eternal fear of having lost/forgotten keys. So now they all just sit there in their stupid drawer laughing at me.

If they get turned into a chandelier it will serve them right.

I made them into a wind chime and hung it up in the garden

Ooooooh. Then I would still have the keys. This is good.

Only problem is I can't stand windchimes (I'm sure yours are lovely though). Witchy lighting fixture still the front runner here.

I'd love to see a photo of this @HerrenaHarridan

Paint them gold and flog them as magic keys for Father Christmas.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER but what if I need the key and Santa has it?

Paint them gold, (as above) tie a piece of red ribbon onto them with a fancy label saying magic key. Use as Christmas decorations. Then they can go away for 11 months of the year. You do not have to think about them and you don't chuck them out.

@BlackeyedSusan I love you.

I actually love you right now. That is genius. They can also then go in the Mitmuss (long story) boxes in the attic instead of jangle-laughing at me when I open the key drawer.

Merry Mitmuss

That is genius BlackeyedSusan!

I emptied all of mine into a box along with a few padlocks and their correct keys and left DS trying to figure out which keys opened the padlocks.

Every house is meant to have a box of random keys. They're for hiding useful keys in.

I have keys for the house I lived in eight years ago. I should throw them but then I start panicking that they are for something else and I need them.

@NigellaSeed

Merry Mitmuss

In this house the word Mitmuss has to be screamed loudly in the heavy Essex accent of modern friend who coined the phrase: MITMAAAAAAAARSE

And for those curious, it cake into being by me and said friend using fake fur Xmas stocking as sock puppets .

@EagleOrIgel you are an evil genius and I salute you.

@ErrolTheDragon & @Comedycook

I am reassured that I am not the only one. And I hope you have some spooky/festive solutions now. I'm hoping there are more.

Modern? It cake? Autocucumber can get tae fuck tonight!

i have found sooooo many keys, we're moving, and i have no idea wtf most of them are for, but the chandelier idea has really made my day!

I haven't thrown any of them away either, for fear.