National Old Stuff Day

National Old Stuff Day is all about…well, old stuff. Bits and bobs that have been gathering dust for ages in your home, trinkets, and toys up in the attic, antiques and old electronics – you’re bound to have some old stuff knocking about. And today is all about appreciating it. Because what’s better than uncovering something really awesome from days gone by?

It’s so easy to let things gather dust. If we don’t use them every day, some things can get pushed to the side and stay there. And that’s not just the things in your home – technology advances so quickly, new toys come out all the time, new books are constantly being published. In the age of new information, it isn’t easy to stay mindful of what built the foundations for what we have now. Today is all about remembering the things we sometimes leave behind.

Learn about National Old Stuff Day

National Old Stuff Day can mean different things to different people. Most people use this day to cherish their old but significant belongings. This could be a book that you have had since you were a child or a family heirloom that has been passed down generations. You can hunt through your belongings for something special and appreciate it on this date. However, you can also see National Old Stuff Day as an opportunity for you to break out of your typical habits.

National Old Stuff Day also gives you the push that you may need to try a new experience. When someone asks you how you are or what you have been up to, how often do you reply with the saying “same old, same old?” If this phrase is in your vocabulary, you’re definitely going to benefit from National Old Stuff Day. It is a day for you to do things differently. Try something that you would never usually do before. Break out of your typical routine and live life differently, even if it is just for one day only.

Of course, when we are talking about old stuff, there is always the question, how old is old? Well, for an item to be considered vintage, it must be 30-years-old, at least. For an item to be deemed antique, it needs to be at least 100 years old. For something to be old, well that’s subjective! You could consider something old a day after you have purchased it if you’re the type of person that falls out of love with things quickly.

History of National Old Stuff Day

If you think about it, there’s always been old stuff – but exactly when National Old Stuff Day started to be celebrated isn’t too clear. That said, there’s no doubt that this is an important day for those who are a fan of all things gone by.

We’ve long had an appreciation for the value that age can bring to items. Wine becomes better the older it gets, furniture becomes more of a must-have once it becomes an antique; it’s certain that old things aren’t without their uses, value or charm. Collectors nowadays will pay a pretty penny for stamps, toys, video games, board games, books, coins, and clothes of yesterday.

How to celebrate National Old Stuff Day

There are so many different ways that you can celebrate National Old Stuff Day. Try starting off the day with a new attitude. Think about the choices you make on a daily basis and the different activities you do every day. Now, look for ways to do things differently. Is there another alternative that is available to you? If so, give it a try. You may find that it is actually a better way of doing things, or it may not be, but at least you gave it a shot!

You could also celebrate National Old Stuff Day by taking something old and freshening it up. This could be anything from an antique piece of furniture to an old garden ornament. Look for something in your home that you have had for quite a while and could do with a bit of TLC. You can then clean it, fix it, paint it, or give it any sort of makeover that is required. Don’t forget to share your achievement on social media so that you can encourage other people to get involved as well.

Vintage fashion is still in vogue, but you can really get into the spirit of things by visiting a junk shop or visiting your local car boot – another person’s old stuff could be your new stuff! Or maybe now is a good day to declutter? Stuff you aren’t so into any more could make a great gift for someone else, or you could always pass you old things on to your local charity shop.

If you’re in a crafty mood, you could upcycle your old clothes into new outfits with just a little tailoring, or turn unwanted trinkets into snazzy boho decorations. Today would be a good day to visit your older relatives and learn about your family history, and the kind of shenanigans your grandparents would get up to back in the golden days.

Today is also the perfect day for you to de-clutter your home and get rid of all of the things you don’t need. Often, people hold onto things on the very small chance they may use them again one day, yet all this does is result in more and more clutter building up. So, why not use National Old Stuff Day to get rid of all of those things you don’t need anymore?

Most of all, remember that today’s new stuff will one day be old stuff – so if you’re a fan of nostalgia, don’t get overzealous with that charity bag!