Conquer Clutter: Don't Pass It On To Family and Friends

It seems like there are times when we have stuff that is harder for us to get rid of.  Sometimes the easiest solution is to give it to someone else we love in our efforts to avoid dealing with it ourselves.  As I thought of this, I realized that I had some things that I was going to pass on to a relative.  I got the stuff and put it in the donation pile right away.  If they really want something, they will buy it themselves.  They don't need the burden of other people's clutter to have to carry around the rest of their lives wondering what to do with it and feeling guilty about getting rid of it.  We have also been on the receiving end of other people's clutter.  I have come to the point where I can get rid of things, but if it is given to someone other than me then it is another story.  I wish I could understand what makes people so attached to "things".  Whether it is a rock someone got from a teacher, or a gift someone got for their birthday that they will NEVER use, or a balloon or other types of "free" clutter, how can things have such a great hold on people?  I have a set of silver plated utensils.  We used them only once because they had to be hand washed.  I don't even know if I like the pattern very well.  My father guarded this silverware and cared for it as if it had great value.  I was excited when he told me he wanted me to have it and thought it had great worth.  I looked up the price one day, and the whole set isn't even worth $50.  It wasn't real silver; it was silver plated.  Why do I still have it?  We never used it growing up.  I only used it once in 15 years.  What was so special about the silverware that doesn't have much monetary value at all?  I don't know the story behind it.  For me, it is just a box of silverware that meant a lot to someone else.  Maybe it is time to let go....