What are you still using that you got a long time ago thinking it will do for now?

[thepastisanothercountry]

I've just put the veg on to steam and realised that I bought the steamer pan I'm using for a fiver in 1999. It was from an end of line / bargain type shop and I remember thinking it would be useful until I got something better.

I didn't think I'd still be using it several times a week in 2021!

I've also got my nans trifle spoon must have been given to her in the 30's

Pound shop plastic bright pink cutlery tray I bought as a student, so well more than 20 years ago. Why bother replacing it, no one sees it!

Also hand-me-down crockery from MIL and my DGM - hate both, frankly, but dinner sets are expensive and we don’t treat things nicely.

Those plastic drawers from Argos or wherever that are meant for utility spaces or garages - have been used as clothes drawers, toy storage, bathroom storage, craft stuff. Ugly but very functional.

In 1972 my Aunt bought me some M&S towels when I first left home, despite my best efforts they refuse to wear out.
Many other "good" brands have been purchased, used and have worn out but these keep going and are still in reasonable condition.

@00100001

I bought an electric whisk, the type with two paddles, hand held one. I got it for £5 from Tesco, about 15 years ago because they would do until unsaved up for a kitchen aid style food processor.

Still have them and all accessories and the original box that it lives in!

Don't have the KitchenAid.... As I still have my electric whisk which has made cakes, meringues, trifles etc wuite happily!

Sounds like the one I've got! Still got the box too!

I have a cardigan I wear when it's cold in the house. It's 32 years old.

Some really ugly (and cheap) nursing bras that I've still got 5 years post baby.. they are really comfy and work well as normal bras!

2 trays bought in Sainsburys that must be almost 30 years old. We use them daily.

"That'll do" stuff includes a set of glass plates and bowls that is still in everyday use. We do have a nice dinner set that comes out often enough, but have never invested in additions to the 4 place glass setting. They are scratched and two of the bowls have chips on the side from microwaving over the years, but that just makes me more likely to use them for "things that don't matter".

Stuff that is hand me downs, well - lots! The table I'm sitting at was my granny's kitchen table, then went to my older cousin who passed it onto us when they emigrated just after we moved here (I didn't chase him away, honest!). Quite a few other bits and bobs from them come to think of it, some basic cookware that still functions and half our chairs. The other set of chairs is from my mother - all stuff she inherited. When DD was born I was delighted to get some of our own baby dresses to put her in. And later both children wore a jumper I remember my mother knitting me, green with gold stripes through it. That jumper was actually knitted with wool unravelled from a green cardigan my mother had as a child!!

Two cheap sofas bought from MFI 20 years ago, thought they would just be OK whilst DS was a toddler but the covers wash really well and they are still fine not particularly comfortable. My DB buys a new suite every three or four years .

Also have some towels that were a wedding gift from my first marriage (over 40 years ago), and some other China and glasses from that marriage ... don't think my current DH (married 34 year!) really knows or cares.

My kitchen. We put it in when we built the house, it was cheap and cheerful and we were running out of funds so we thought it would do us five years then we'd change it. Twenty years later it's still here. Falling apart a bit now, but funnily enough we still quite like it.

My mum bought me a lasagne type dish at a car boot sale to take to uni. That was 19 years ago and it’s still my go-to dish!

My ironing board which was a wedding present 50 years ago.

I've just realised I have a 35 Yr old cheap basic saucepan, still going strong.

Lovely234 I also have a pyrex lasagne dish from a car boot that I've had for 21 years now!

Also a bath towel that was bought for me to take on a school trip to Italy when I was 13. Still lovely & soft nearly 28 years later!

@StCharlotte I have the exact same IKEA grater.

I have my grannies cheese grater. Still works!
I also have my mums whisk mixer thing it’s a “Russel Hobbs” basic one but it just won’t die. Must be at least 25 years old.

I have lots and lots and lots of clothes that I still wear and have been with me a long time.

An electric whisk that I inherited from an old housemate who bought it at a carboot. Its so old and cheap but is amazing!

Also a pair of PJ bottoms I bought in a rush in 2004. Bit stained but no holes (despite me wearing them a lot!) and the comfiest ones I have! 17 years and still going...

My gran's old flowery curtains- initially given to me to cover a massive draughty window in a rental. They've moved with me to three properties and not yet replaced them. They're just massive and so useful for big or bay windows - I've promised myself new curtains once the bedroom gets done but the cost is going to kill me for just a style change...

@Pascha

*previous not precious. No such thing as a precious car.

Cars can be precious! I was really upset when my first one went to the scrapheap in the sky 🚗

My grans cake slice - she brought it over as we didn't have one for pudding 🥰

Pink Floral sheets my mum bought in 1970,. Very 70s pattern.

The cotton is so much thicker and nicer which is why they've lasted over 50 years!!

Oh and a plastic colander bought for my first home in 1980 for 50 pence.

Use it several times a day

@DuvetDayIsEveryDay

Cheap blackout blinds that I put up as soon as I moved into this house - I was intending to replace them with nice ones when I redecorated.

18 years ago.

This! Except it's only 16 years

A stainless steel teapot that doesn't drip, bought before we got married, 54 years ago! DS wants us to leave it to him in our will.

A plastic whistle that I use on dog walks, and a teeny tape measure that unwinds far enough for 'new-bra' measuring duties 😄
Both were Xmas Cracker prizes circa mid noughties.