Use What You Have: Candles

This morning, the light was reflecting on this grouping of candles in my living room and I thought it was really soft and glowy.   So I took a digital snapshot.

These candles had me thinking: when was the last time they were actually lit.   

I bought these eco-friendly tapers from Ikea a few months ago.  They're made from a vegetable-based stearin wax, so they don't emit soot or smoke into the air when you light them.   They're also made from a renewable resource (read: no petroleum like paraffin based ones) and because they're from Ikea, the price is right.

As I start to think about moving from this current home to a new home (I can't wait to post pics of the new place... just need to "officially" close and I'll feel it's safe to post em), I wonder about all the "stuff" that has pretty much stayed in the same condition since the day I moved into this house.

Here's the list:
1.  Candles. (duh)

2.  Italian marinated artichoke hearts in a can (I think I bought them because I liked the design of the packaging)

3. Popsicle molds (I think I made Gatorade popsicles once...for a photo shoot...which I didn't actually even eat)

4. An ice bucket.   

5.  The backyard grill that came with the house (I have no idea what the previous homeowner may have cooked...and as a vegetarian...I think it's better off not cooking on it).

6.  Suits...   (I wear a suit for a meetings and my advisers always ask, "where are you going?"   I figure if I don't have to wear a suit for work, then why bother?)

7.  A whole array of cookbooks: The Lever House Cookbook, Everyday Italian, a bunch of Jamie Oliver books...  they just sit all stacked in my kitchen in an open cabinet.    I have cracked open the Nigella Lawson ones to cook a few things...

Anyway, all of these unused things---albeit really well designed things that look nice----have sat here for 2 years unused.    

I know the donating rule of "if you haven't used it in two years, get rid of it" is something I usually follow, but all of these things are really nice things.   Do I bring them to the new house (to go unused) or do I donate them.   Or do I make an effort to start lighting candles, while wearing a suit, to fill up the ice bucket, while cooking a risotto recipe with marinated artichokes as the coals heat up in the grill just in time for the popsicles to freeze in the freezer? 

Comments

[Kirsty]

I wouldn't have said the candles were not "being used"- you're looking at them every day, and taking pleasure from that!
I think even William Morris (“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”) would let those stay.

[Ann K.]

Danny---do you know about Freecycle? www.freecycle.org, then find your local chapter. It's one way to "donate" to people who plan to use your stuff.
I love your blog--thanks!

[Cathy]

I agree with Kirsty. While you are moving, you have to look at things with a fresh eye. Will it work in the new home? If it's beautiful, like the candles and the cookbooks, keep them. Popsicle makers can go. I'd keep one suit for those can't be avoided occassions, like weddings and funerals.

[Patty]

You could sell them on ebay, gift them, give them to a website as a contest winner gift, ask reader their favorite ecology tip and gift the winner(s) with an item. Have people chose a number from 1-10 winner gets an item. Find someone who is just starting out and give them something. donate to goodwill, etc. you could even get a tax deduction. It's fun to give away stuff.

[geek+nerd]

I would find a way to creatively re-gift some of those things. You could easily pair the ice-bucket with a nice bottle of wine/champagne or bottled sodas for non-drinkers as a housewarming gift. The cookbooks you could gift as well, and the artichokes...I would use them. Maybe make artichoke dip? (I write this blocking out thoughts of an artichoke can gathering dust in my own pantry, hehehe)

[TACE]

I like the re-gifting idea!

[gina]

i love the ideas posted by geek+nerd. i think you could easily re-gift some of the items. the candlesticks i would keep and see how you could use them in the new home. once you get there and get set up, if they don't work then consider giving away as a gift or donating. if you are going to someone's house for dinner or drinks, it might be nice to bring the artichokes along. it isn't your standard bottle of wine, flowers or dessert. i am guilty of owning way too many cookbooks. i can't help it. i just love them. i would consider keeping them as well.
good luck with the closing on your new home. can not wait to see the pics!!!!

[Gin]

I suggest keeping at least one suit. You're never going to wear more than one at a time! Y'know how it goes. As soon as you get rid of them there shall suddenly be a need to have one and if you keep 'em then there shall never be a need. It's one expensive made-to-fit item that I wouldn't mind saving a bit of space to keep though.

[sherry]

They are all good and nice useful things. Your new house is in a different style environment, with a new life style. I think you should hang onto your stuff because it may work out in the new location. Well, maybe not the popsicle maker!