Have you ever altered an “heirloom”?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (114164)
United States
January 4, 2026 1:22pm CST
For my sister’s graduation my mom gave my sister her (my mom’s) first piano (for mine she gave me her China hutch that she got as a wedding present from her grandparents). When it wouldn’t play properly anymore she checked into it, and it would cost more to fix than it was worth. She didn’t just want to toss it, but she also doesn’t like useless things sitting around. So, she had the keys removed, and framed. They hang above her fireplace. I thought it was a great idea.
Have you ever altered something handed down to you?
19 people like this
18 responses
@snowy22315 (203934)
• United States
4 Jan
I haven' but I could. I have my grandmother's wedding ring. I was thinking of giving it to my son if he ever gets engaged, but I don't see that happening at least anytime soon...I wish he would find someone nice though.
6 people like this
@DaddyEvil (169410)
• United States
4 Jan
No, I've never altered anything handed down to me. I have great grandma's silverware and some small pieces of mom's jewelry. We use the silverware every day (Mom said it was a shame to just keep it in the original box.) and the jewelry was passed on to Pretty when she graduated from high school.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (169410)
• United States
4 Jan
@AmbiePam Mom always kept the silverware in the original box and never used it at all. When the box of silverware was passed to me, the box had come apart and mom put rubber bands around it to keep it together.
I have no idea why she didn't use it with all of us kids.
3 people like this
@Treborika (18171)
• Mombasa, Kenya
5 Jan
@AmbiePam l have just realised that too
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55605)
•
5 Jan
Most of my changing something given to me into something else has involved clothing. My aunt had a lovely velvet skirt that was vintage 50’s-60’s. She gave it to me to repurpose in some way, my oldest daughter fell in love with the fabric and I made her a prom dress with it. She loved it and now my granddaughter has it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55605)
•
5 Jan
@AmbiePam
When you think about it, all quilts made at home used to be made with old clothing, etc. They were all repurposed. Now quilts are often such a work of art that people don't do that. I love to repurpose.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (130651)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Jan
That was a great way to keep the memory of it
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (94992)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Jan
That is a great idea. Nothing to hand down, What my parents had I had all my life, Things have gotten discarded, and things I still have around, Nothing, however, to do with furniture and such.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44482)
• United States
5 Jan
What a wonderfully unique way to treasure the piano!
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (8641)
• United Kingdom
4 Jan
What a great thing to do.
I’ve never had to alter anything….although I’ve never been given anything either.
I will get a Grandmother clock……smaller than a Grandfather clock …..one day, it doesn’t work , I’m not sure if I will leave it as it is or try and get it repaired.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (40615)
• Philippines
5 Jan
I think it depends on what you’ve received. There are times that restoring or repairing is needed at certain situations then l guess that is fine. But there are situations that you may want to remain or no need to alter it to ensure it’s memory of your loved ones then its better not to alter it.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (18171)
• Mombasa, Kenya
5 Jan
For me l have never done that before. But it seems like a good idea for sure
1 person likes this
