Remember when you were little and your grandparents had that special cabinet?
The one with the “good” dishes that nobody ever used?
Last week, my mom pulled me aside to show me the boxes she’s been saving in her attic for Ellie and Milo.
China sets, crystal glasses, embroidered linens that haven’t seen daylight since 1985.
Her face was so hopeful as she explained how she’d been keeping these treasures safe “for when the kids grow up.”
My heart sank a little because I know my kids: They’re the muddy-feet-on-the-couch, eating-off-wooden-bowls, and building-forts-with-every-blanket-in-sight kind of kids.
Honestly? That’s exactly how I want them to be.
Here’s the thing about grandparents: They come from a generation where saving the “good stuff” made sense.
They lived through different times, when quality items were investments and formal dining was still a regular thing.
But our kids? They’re growing up in a world of minimalism, experiences over things, and honestly, who even has formal dinner parties anymore?
Let’s talk about those well-meaning collections gathering dust in attics and basements across the country.
While Grandma and Grandpa’s hearts are absolutely in the right place, there are some things they’re saving that our kids just won’t want or need:
1) Complete china sets with matching everything
Can we have an honest conversation about china? My mom has been storing a 12-piece setting with soup bowls, salad plates, dessert plates, and three different sized serving platters.
It’s beautiful, sure, but when I imagine my kids as adults, I see them eating takeout from recyclable containers or hosting casual potlucks where everyone brings mismatched dishes.
The formal dining culture just isn’t what it used to be.
Even if my kids do host dinners, they’re more likely to want simple, dishwasher-safe plates they can actually use without fear.
Those delicate, hand-wash-only pieces with gold trim that can’t go in the microwave? They’ll stay boxed up forever.
2) Crystal glassware collections
Speaking of things that require hand-washing, let’s discuss the crystal.
Wine glasses, champagne flutes, brandy snifters, cordial glasses (I had to Google what those even were).
My in-laws have been saving a complete Waterford set since their wedding.
Here’s what I’ve noticed, though: Younger generations are going for durability over delicacy.
They want stemless wine glasses that won’t tip over, or those silicone ones you can take camping.
The idea of storing fragile crystal that only comes out twice a year? That’s just not how people live anymore.
3) Silver that needs constant polishing
Have you ever tried to polish silver with a two-year-old climbing your leg?
Because I have, and let me tell you, it’s not happening.
My parents have been saving real silver flatware, thinking it’ll be an heirloom treasure.
However, maintaining silver is a commitment most of us aren’t willing to make.
My generation and my kids’ generation value low-maintenance everything.
We want forks we can toss in the dishwasher and forget about.
4) Doilies and decorative linens
God bless my grandmother’s soul, but she had doilies on every surface.
Under lamps, on chair backs, protecting wood furniture that was already protected by other doilies.
My mom inherited boxes of these intricate, handmade pieces, and now she wants to pass them down.
But what modern home uses doilies? We’re barely managing to keep regular laundry done.
The thought of washing, starching, and ironing decorative linens makes me want to take a nap.
Our kids will likely feel the same way, if not more so.
5) Massive furniture pieces
That gorgeous mahogany dining set that seats twelve?
The china cabinet that takes up an entire wall?
These pieces were built for different homes and different lifestyles.
Our kids are growing up in a world of smaller spaces, frequent moves, and modular furniture.
They’ll want pieces that can adapt, that can be taken apart and reassembled, and that don’t require a moving truck and four strong friends every time they relocate.
That heirloom armoire might be stunning but, if it won’t fit up a narrow apartment staircase, it’s not practical.
6) Collectible figurines and knick-knacks
Precious Moments, Hummel figurines, commemorative plates; every grandparent seems to have a collection.
They’re often convinced these will be valuable someday but, unless your kids specifically share that collecting gene, these items just become clutter to manage.
I watch my kids play, and their joy comes from experiences, not from carefully arranged collectibles on a shelf.
They’d rather have money for a trip or a new bike than inherit 47 porcelain angels that they’re afraid to dust.
7) Outdated technology and media
The VHS collection of Disney movies, the cassette tapes, and even DVDs are becoming obsolete.
My dad proudly showed me the “complete collection” of encyclopedias he’s been saving.
However, our kids will never use physical media the way previous generations did.
Everything is digital now.
Those boxes of VHS tapes aren’t nostalgic treasures to kids who’ve grown up with streaming.
They’re just plastic rectangles taking up space.
8) Formal clothing that’s “classic”
“This never goes out of style,” my mom says, holding up a wool suit from 1992, but style isn’t even the issue.
It’s that formal clothing culture has shifted dramatically.
The occasions that required those outfits barely exist anymore.
Our kids are growing up in a world where tech CEOs wear hoodies to board meetings.
The idea of keeping a formal wardrobe “just in case” doesn’t align with how they’ll likely live.
9) Paper everything
Photo albums, greeting cards from the past 40 years, newspaper clippings, report cards from 1967.
While some of this has sentimental value, the sheer volume is overwhelming.
My parents have boxes and boxes of paper memories, but our kids document their lives digitally.
They won’t want to store and move boxes of paper through every life transition.
A few meaningful pieces? Sure, but not archives that could fill a storage unit.
Finding a balance
There’s real love in the saving and in the wanting to pass something down, but maybe we can help redirect that generous impulse toward things our kids might actually use and cherish.
What about saving for experiences instead? Contributing to a travel fund or education? Or if they really want to pass down objects, what about one or two truly special pieces with the story behind them, rather than entire sets of everything?
I’ve started having gentle conversations with my parents about this.
We’ve gone through some boxes together, and I’ve helped them understand what might actually work in our lives.
Some things we’ve donated, some we’ve sold, and yes, we’re keeping a few special pieces that have real meaning.
What our kids will really want from their grandparents is the memories, the stories, and the time spent together.
Those are the real treasures worth saving.
