Will you want your parents' stuff when they die?

[OneWorthyLemonCat]

I'm a big declutterer, and now live pretty minimally. I have a one in, one out policy on new possessions, and try to only buy quality items that I really love.

I've just been thinking about my parents and in laws. They often make reference to DH and me and our siblings having their "stuff" when they die.

We'll barely wany any if it though.

Of my mums, I'd love her Ercol sideboard. Of my inlaws, we would love my MIL's collection of LeCreuset pans.

That's it. EVERYTHING else that they own will go to charity, or in a skip.

We don't share the same taste, and although DH and I have plenty of space, I know so many people have much smaller homes now. We also live differently to them - I would never use fine China, or serve cakes on a glass cake stand, or poach a whole salmon in a fish kettle, or serve drinks in crystal glasses, or use solid silver cutlery!

Which of your parents' possessions would you want? How do you think it will feel taking their worldly possessions to a charity shop? (I wonder if shops will be so inundated in 5-10 years that they stop taking donations anyway. I know many have stopped already). Does it make you live or think differently about your own approach to acquiring "stuff" through your lifetime?

DH and I dont have kids, and I'm very comfortable with the idea that our much loved possessions will have brought us happiness through our lives, but will end up at the rubbish tip when we're no longer here!

I'm likewise clearing whilst DParents are still alive, and I'm actually really grateful for that timing.

There are a lot of bittersweet moments. DM has alzheimers and is non-verbal now. Finding things that she wrote and did is giving me little tiny windows into her life. It feels like a last conversation with her. Things come up to chat about with DF too.

It's already emotional, and it would be so much harder if I was grieving their loss.
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I would like my baby/childhood photos so that my children can see them/have them but apart from that nothing

This is really touching.

@nordicwannabe my Mum helped her parents clear their house when they went into sheltered housing and she said it was so useful being able to discuss with my grandfather what was important or valuable. She kept a lot of lovely things, paintings, pottery, good quality furniture. I love that my parents house now has things that I remember from my grandparent's house. When she dies I'll definitely want some of it (as will my siblings).