Not Your Grandparents’ Heirlooms: Why Younger Generations Are Embracing Family Keepsakes on Their Own Terms

While your kids might roll their eyes at the thought of inheriting the oversized 19th-century French Renaissance carved solid walnut cabinet that’s been in the family for 150 years, don’t assume they’re rejecting all heirlooms. That mid-century atomic coffee table in your living room or swung vase in the corner cabinet? They’ll snap those up in a heartbeat. The box of vintage baseball cards gathering dust in the attic? A treasure trove waiting to be claimed. It turns out that younger generations aren’t shunning family keepsakes—they’re just redefining what’s worth keeping. 

There is a perception that younger generations lack interest in family heirlooms and collectibles, but that notion is nuanced. While it’s true that many Millennials and Gen Z individuals prefer minimalistic lifestyles and may decline traditional heirlooms, there’s a notable shift towards valuing unique, sustainable, and personalized items.  And if young people aren’t inheriting collectibles from their parents, they’re heading to thrift stores, antique malls, flea markets, and online marketplaces like Etsy or Charish, where they hunt for unique and affordable art, antiques, and treasures that reflect their personal style.

Interviewed for a 2021 Forbes Magazine article, Chairish co-founder and president Anna Brockway stated, “Research shows that sustainability is a top priority for consumers of all ages and demographics. Our 2021 Chairish consumer study revealed that 58% of millennial respondents in particular agreed that the resale market plays a big role in the future of sustainability.”

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have popularized thrifting and vintage shopping—influencers showcase their unique finds or DIY projects to audiences ranging from the thousands to the millions, inspiring their followers to head out to secondhand shops. 

In this era of disposable everything and fashion meant to fall apart after three washings, millennials and Gen Z-ers find that vintage furnishings, textiles, and other collectibles were made to last. They have come to appreciate the superior craftsmanship and durability of the pieces they would have scoffed at in the past. They have begun to recognize that vintage items often feature a sense of individuality missing in today’s fast-food furniture and textiles. 

Vintage encourages creativity—pieces can be upcycled, refinished, or combined with modern elements to create one-of-a-kind interiors or fashion statements. This personalization transforms ordinary spaces and outfits into something truly special and uniquely theirs. 

When it comes to decorating their spaces and their lives, Millennials and Gen Z are drawn to mid-century furniture, vintage textiles, and one-of-a-kind art pieces, which offer both aesthetic and monetary value. This generation’s tech-savvy nature allows them to track market trends and make informed decisions about purchases that could appreciate over time. 

As some younger generations begin the journey to build financial security, many gravitate toward items that blend nostalgia, cultural significance, and potential financial gain. Popular categories include vintage sports memorabilia, rare Pokémon and trading cards, retro video games, and vinyl records, all of which hold sentimental value while appealing to a growing collectors market. 

Younger generations continue to reshape the narrative around family heirlooms and collectibles, proving that the past isn’t something to be discarded. Whether rescuing vintage treasures from thrift stores or giving new life to inherited items with a modern twist, Millennials and Gen Z are embracing the old on their own terms. In doing so, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they preserve the stories and craftsmanship of bygone eras and create their own meaningful connections to the objects their parents once treasured. Far from rejecting the history of these items, they’re weaving them into their own unique future. 

When I’m gone, my children will have to decide what to do with my collections (given that I can’t get them to have the “what do you want from mom’s overabundance of stuff” talk). My glass collection includes swung vases and mid-century art glass that will probably find a home with one or more of my three because the aesthetic matches the more modern, slimmed-down look that they love (and as an added bonus, they’re valuable). But I feel certain none of them will suddenly develop a love for my McCoy pottery passed down by my own mother.  

Many of us with Millenial or Gen Z kids have to make the difficult decision to part with some of our precious collections at some point (whether we’re ready or not), but one thing (at least in my life) is certain. The kids can kiss my vast collection of Tiki mugs, art, and other Tiki treasures goodbye! I plan to sell off that collection, and the proceeds will fund fun. Mahlo, kiddies for the motivation, and aloha!

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