My mom saved a bunch of stuff I'd done. But it was a mix of things she wanted and things she didn't know if I would want. When they moved house in early '06, we went through ruthlessly, and there was no problem if both of us said, "What would we ever do with that?" and threw it away or put it in a garage sale or gave it to Goodwill.

I think that parents are probably somewhat more likely to be sentimental about kids' early efforts than the kids themselves are. There are some exceptions -- my cousin howled when my aunt accidentally broke a kindergarten project of hers last year, and my cousin is 31. But for the most part I don't think it's wise to expect someone to keep stuff like that from their own childhood. It's far more likely to be, "Huh, look at that!" or even, "I remember doing that!" and then into the trash with them. And there's nothing wrong with that.

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Also, the photograph of it is a record of what you did as a kid without having that record take up four plates' worth of space.

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Yeah. With some stuff it's best to photograph them well and then move on. If some other relative or friend wants 'em, let 'em have 'em, otherwise ditch them I guess.

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Personally, my mom saved things from my childhood that I have used with my own kids. Even if you are not planning on having kids of your own, you could use them with your neices and nephews or when you have company over that includes children. Kids like seeing things other kids create. I think that the kids would get a kick out of using something that you created when you were a child.

If you really don't have the space, or just don't want them hanging around, then I would choose the one that you like best (or dislike least) and set it aside as a token from childhood then donate the rest to the local thrift shop or church rummage sale.

I think they are lovely plates. Your creativity obviously started while you were young.

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I have some college T-shirts that I am saving for similar reasons, ie. keepsakes.

Other things I keep if I can put them on display or use them everyday, like a little ceramic dog my grandfather maid when he was in his 80's that holds my glasses overnight so I never have to wonder where they are in the morning.

If you keep them, use them otherwise donate them to a food bank to give away.

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I would just like to mention that I read that as "Anime plates" and then spent a statistically significant amount of time trying to understand what anime the plates were from. "Wait... is it a cel before shading? Or concept sketches? Or..."

I vote ditch them, now that they've been photographed for posterity. You don't want them, and keeping them around will just make you tired.

People are much too attached to stuff.

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In my humble opinion, you should do what YOU want to do with them. If you don't feel particularly attached to them, by all means donate them or put them in a garage sale. I could understand keeping them for sentimental value, but I also agree with the comment about people becoming too attached to things. Its the memories that are important. Life will not cease if you keep them, it will not cease if you don't. Do what will keep Anne the most sane.

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You should totally serve with them. But -only- to the really hoity toity people. :)

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