After I asked my kids, I reached out to a few cousins, nieces and nephews - it turns out some of their parents weren't savers, and they were thrilled to have a few family things. And I included the stories that went along.
Later this spring, I will be breaking open a sealed box of heirloom tea cups and saucers for some friends who repurpose them into fairy gardens for assisted living and nursing home residents - they will offer joy again for at least a while!