Family treasures

[Gemini]

No, not the grandchildren, although I know they are our true treasures

I mean clothes and items for children which are passed down. Do you have any in your family?

The oldest thing we have isn't used any more,which is sad as it is beautiful.
It is a a full length christening gown, made for me as a baby, by my grandmother, from her mother's petticoat! Crisp white cotton, which my mother spray starches for every christening, with beautiful broderie anglaise trimming at hem, neck and cuffs, and tiny white ribbons on the cuffs. My 3 daughters were christened in it.

The other family treasure doesnt have so long a history. When I was expecting my second baby I found a beautiful sturdy whicker crib with stand in a nearly new shop. I fell in love with it, and bought it, for the princely sum of £5.
My mum made a pretty draping for it - white with tiny pink and blue flowers on. This was used for DDs 2 and 3, lent out a couple of times, then used for both GD and GS when they came here. This time DD is using it at home for new baby GS, due any day. His other gran has made new drapes, it looks beautiful

[Avo]

Our oldest treasure is the Grandfather Clock that was my husband's grandparents built in 1740! My newest grandson has the 'babynest' used by his Daddy, and the other grandsons have the baby shawl their Daddy had...

[aggie]

The robe I was Christened in has been used for some of the grandchildren , but three were too big and they used one I knit for the oldest , 3 ply lacey pattern . The wicker crib I lent out came back with the bottom broken out . I think your crib sounds wonderful

[Nana]

I have a small notebook that was handed down through the family. It belonged to a male relative on my Dad's side. He was well known in the local area as a man to go to if you wanted a natural type of healing. The book's really interesting as the 'recipes' are written out as cures for various ailments. It's a really interesting piece of history.

[Daisy]

We don't really have anything! My aunt made a beautiful silk Christening robe which I and my 2 cousins were Christened in (not all together!) and so was my GS1. But GS2 wasn't Christened until he was 6 months old and too big for the gown. None of my GCs have been Christened and I don't know where the robe is any more! Both sons have shawls made by my MIL when they were born, but neither of them wanted the shawls for their own babies, but I have at least still got them.

Avo - your Grandfather Clock sounds wonderful - what a history behind it. Were your OH's grandparents clock makers?

[Oma]

We have a pair of dark green leather Lederhosen that Brian wore as a boy my D'S wore them with a crisp white shirt and I put the boys in them when they were small too , Think that's the only thing like a family treasure we have

[Nanto2girls]

We don't have anything that could be called treasures. I still have a cot eiderdown that we bought for the eldest, (no duvets in those days) and still have one of his baby blankets.
I have a white shawl that a 12 year old girl crocheted for me, for our youngest. That girl will be 56 now.

[Shemadee]

DD2 has her cot duvet and cover which is disintegrating but still used to snuggle under. Not many heirlooms from my family but quite a few from OHs. Photo is of his Granny's tea service which rarely gets used nowadays and the silvery goblet shaped ornament. The sleeping cat was given to me by my stepmother who then asked for it back! Unfortunately she died not long after and no-one else was interested in it so it is still on my mantelpiece!

[Avo]

We don't really have anything! My aunt made a beautiful silk Christening robe which I and my 2 cousins were Christened in (not all together!) and so was my GS1. But GS2 wasn't Christened until he was 6 months old and too big for the gown. None of my GCs have been Christened and I don't know where the robe is any more! Both sons have shawls made by my MIL when they were born, but neither of them wanted the shawls for their own babies, but I have at least still got them.

Avo - your Grandfather Clock sounds wonderful - what a history behind it. Were your OH's grandparents clock makers?

No, they were not! It was made by a Welsh clockmaker.

[Daisy]

No, they were not! It was made by a Welsh clockmaker.

But still a lovely family heirloom to have and cherish.

[Glammanana]

We still have the shawl that my Grandma made for me when mum brought me home from the nursing home and it has been used at all the Christenings of the DGCs but not too sure if it will be used for Sofia as her mum will probably want something from her side of the family which is understandable.
I do have the Royal Albert Roses collection of dinner ware which was my mums bought for her through out her marriage it is vast so in storage and I can only display a one piece setting in my lounge also have the Golden Horse Shoe from Johns parents wedding cake from over 80 yrs ago it has been on all cakes on this side of the family ever since I'm hoping DS1s fiancee agrees to having on their cake when they get married in June but not holding out too much hope on that.

[Gemini]

I hope she does agree to have the horseshoe on the cake Glamma.

[Daisy]

Glamm - you're Mum's collection of Royal Albert has reminded me. I've got a beautiful Art Deco tea set which was my Mum's. For many years in the pottery industry it was usual for brides to be given a tea set by their employers when they got married. My Mum worked at Aynsleys who produced very delicate, hand painted bone china. I've also got my set from Wedgwoods, also bone china but in a modern Greek key design, and a unique condiment set - salt, pepper and mustard pot in black basalt. It never went into production, so is rather special. I suppose in a couple of generations it will be considered an heirloom!!

[Glammanana]

Daisy I have a nice collection of Aynsley China mainly small vases and trinket pots we where given them as monthly prizes at one of the builders I worked for they are so sweet I have them in a box in the loft and can't bear to part with them,your Wedgewoods sound amazing your mum was so lucky to work with beautiful items. xx

[Gemini]

I love reading this thread. We all have such varied and interesting things.