Decluttering childhood toys

PurpleCat

Despite being a general clutterphobe, I've hung on to a number of my childhood toys through all these years, including a number of baby dolls and their (mostly hand-made by beloved female relatives and myself) wardrobes. I'm anticipating a downsizing move somewhere within the next couple of years, and although I anticipate still having space to store them, it seems sort of silly to move the boxes yet again so they can sit in yet another basement until whatever my next move turns out to be and then eventually they'll be added to the assortment of stuff my nieces and nephews will have to sort out while I sip tea with St. Peter. Nothing's valuable enough to be worth the hassle of trying to sell, and it's all too beat up to donate to any organization. That leaves the trash as my only option, but I just can't bear to throw my former babies into the trash. I wish I'd just done whatever my friends did when we became too old for dolls 40 years ago, because they've probably not given those toys a second thought since then. Anyone have a good solution?

WC3

I have very few things left from my childhood because I moved a lot as a kid and my parents were not the most organized. A lot of things would stay in the garage in boxes too long, get wet from the washing machine overflowing, and then my dad would go on a junking spree.

I do, however, haul my beloved text books around.

If something has meaning to you, I don't see anything wrong with keeping it if you have the space.

If you really want to get rid of the dolls and they are in fairly good condition, you might see if a memory care facility or nursing home has a use for them. People with dementia often like dolls.

MinusTwo

Purple - I like WC's idea about a nursing home for dolls. I had no trouble getting rid of most things, but I still have one or two hand embroidered, smocked dresses and a ratty, well loved lump that used to be a stuffed dog. (Velveteen Rabbit anyone?) It lives in my cedar chest. I managed to get rid of Raggedy Ann & Andy.

When my Mother died, I found not only her wedding bouquet in her cedar chest, and a dress her mother had made for a dance when she was 16 (mind you this would have been before 1930), but a bed jacket my Mother made to wear when I was born. Dress went away. Bed jacket is now in my cedar chest.

I too haul books around. My grown son and DIL are not having any children, so all of the loved & worn story books are still on my shelves. In the attic is a large set of Playschool Blocks and a Brio wooden train set that was my sons. I really need to let this stuff go!!!!

Spookiesmom

I have a few dolls that are worth a few $$. I’ll keep them, my DD will get to decide what to do with them. I have a stuffed dog given to me as a baby present, 71 years ago. Probably a Steiff. Even today, sometimes I’ll get it out and hold it when I’m really down. I say let the family decide what to do with it.
My mom cleaned out a bunch of stuff and didn’t tell me until after it was long gone. I still haven’t gotten over that.

gb2115

I sold my entire collection of yucky old sticky 1980s my little ponies on eBay. You would be surprised what people will buy!!!

EllieClark

Such trifles as toys can often at least briefly raise our spirits. Personally, I still have not moved away from my favorite children's toys. Even now, I can wear funny dog pajamas, like this. The main thing is that you like it and bring joy, and how it looks is not so important.