How to Enjoy the Charms of the Past

One of the most common decluttering questions is, "What should I do about sentimental items?"  Maybe you've learned the hard way that nostalgic possessions are the most difficult to let go.

Do you remember having a charm bracelet when you were younger?  Or perhaps your sister had one, or even your mom or one of your aunts.

Charm bracelets have quite a long history.  Originally, people wore charms or amulets around their necks, but ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks often wore bracelets with charms for luck or protection.  Much later, Britain's Queen Victoria wore a silver charm bracelet with nine enameled heart lockets that contained wisps of each of her children's hair.  As a result, charm bracelets displaying personal mementos became a fashion craze among the upper classes all over Europe.  They were very popular once again in the 1950s through the 1970s.

A snapshot of my girlhood

My parents gave me a silver bracelet when I turned 10.  It had one charm, a cross.  But soon I received more charms from my parents, siblings, and friends.  Every birthday and Christmas I waited eagerly for new silver bangles.  I remember having

• a book that opened
• a seashell
• an initial "K"
• a tiny ring with my birthstone
• a treble clef
• a brace of eighth notes
• a grand piano
• a bell that tinkled
• a typewriter
• a teapot
• a San Francisco cable car
• comedy/tragedy masks
• a U.S. flag commemorating the Bicentennial
• a church with a tower

... and a few others I don't recall.

My bracelet was a snapshot of my girlhood, an expression of my personality and interests.  I liked wearing it and looking at the charms, which displayed such intricate craftsmanship.  I liked showing them to others and talking about who gave me each one and why.

Near the end of high school, my bracelet was getting quite heavy.  I didn't wear it as often because I was afraid the clasp would break.  (Eventually, it did.)  It sat in my jewelry box, just an old thing I no longer wore.  At some point, I passed it to my youngest cousin.

Am I sorry I decluttered my bracelet?  That choice meant I couldn't give it to my own daughter, though I did give her an 18-carat gold heart locket that I wore throughout high school and on my wedding day.  Originally a gift from my grandfather to my mother, my daughter Elizabeth also wore the locket on her wedding day.

Charm bracelets today

I haven't seen anyone wearing a charm bracelet lately, although Southern Living reported in 2023 that they were "timeless, yet on trend."  L.A. jeweler Mark Schneider wrote in 2021 that Oprah Winfrey "loves" charms, and Jennifer Aniston, Kiera Knightley, and Catherine, Princess of Wales have all been spotted wearing charm bracelets.

Do you like the sound of wind chimes or winter sleigh bells?  Then you might like the jingling of a charm bracelet.  And as an adult, you understand how to take care of a delicate piece of jewelry that can sometimes get snagged on things.

Charm bracelets can create connections too.  Someone might notice the tiny sailboat or Eiffel Tower on your wrist, and suddenly you have interests or stories to share.

Then there's the sentimental value.  Each charm can hold a special memory.  Whether it's a stork charm to celebrate the birth of a child, a cat with jeweled eyes to remember a pet, or even a tiny pressed flower under a clear dome to recall an anniversary, each is a tangible link to a loved one or the past.

I think if I had my charm bracelet today, I might separate the charms and wear fewer at a time.  Not only would that be lighter and create a more minimalist look, but I could have a bracelet that celebrated my life as a musician, or perhaps as a reader and writer.

Your sentimental favorites

I don't mourn the absence of my charm bracelet.  After all, I have the memories even though I don't have the physical item.  But if I did still have it buried in a box somewhere, it would be worth digging out, polishing up, and pairing with an outfit or two.

That's because if I let it stay buried, I 'd need to admit it doesn't actually mean very much.

Do you have keepsakes hidden away?  Don't just store those things.  If you've been decluttering for a while, you have experience and momentum that can help you decide if that nostalgic item deserves to stay or go.  Boxes full of old, forgotten things aren't special, but a few specific items might be.  Get them out, clean them up, and display or use them.  You'll have all the enjoyment of seeing, touching, and being reminded on a regular basis – and that can't happen when things are boxed and hoarded for decades.

Yes, you can be a minimalist and still enjoy the charms of the past.  Give a few of those mementos a chance to shine, and you may find it easier to part with the rest.

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