Staying Fit
Chances are, you never use your mother’s or your grandmother’s wedding silver although it’s neatly stored in the attic because you think it would make you a terrible person to sell it. So what do you want your kids and grandkids to have that won’t weigh them down in the same way the silver does? Here are five ideas to get you started:
1. A sentimental piece of jewelry and/or clothing
It’s not unusual for diamond rings to be passed down from generation to generation. But if it’s something that will likely just sit in a box at home or in a bank and doesn’t really hold any sentimental value, then why hold on to it at all? Leave your kids or grandkids things that really mean something to you, whether it’s the ring you got at your Sweet 16 or the necklace you bought during your first trip to Paris. When it comes to clothing, wouldn’t you love to have the jacket your own grandmother wore every day when she was in her 20s? Everybody saves wedding dresses and baby clothes. But your dad’s varsity jacket or your mom’s pencil skirt may be more appreciated. And all trends do have a tendency to come back in, so your grandkids may actually want to wear these items someday.
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2. Something mortifying from your childhood
Most people save their wedding photos to pass on to their kids and grandkids — and that’s great. But what about a memento that reveals your youthful angst? Some token that gives your offspring a real window into the younger you? Maybe it’s a hideous Christmas sweater your parents used to make you wear. Or a photo of an embarrassed you and your siblings wearing matching outfits. These are the things that made you who you are today. People love looking at and sharing these photos so much, those that really get at the nitty-gritty of a family, that there’s even a website to showcase them: AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.
3. Favorite family recipes
