Beyond Collecting: How to Actually Use the Things You Love

Do you have any items you adore but rarely use? Maybe a piece of fine china you’ve tucked away, or vintage glassware collecting dust on a top shelf, waiting for “a special occasion.”

Here’s a little secret: the “right” moment is today.

Our everyday lives are made richer, lovelier even, when we use the things we love most. It’s the old adage of “use the good china”—and you know what? I think we should! Here, I’ll share some gentle encouragement and a few practical ideas to help bring your favorite items out of storage and into the rhythm of daily life. After all, life’s too short to wait for the “perfect” occasion when every day holds its own sort of charm.

Embracing Everyday Elegance

If we’ve collected beautiful things, why are we letting them sit unseen? Sometimes we’re worried about damaging them; other times, we think they’re too fancy for a regular Tuesday. But I believe that when we use the things we love, we’re not only using them for their purpose, but giving ourselves permission to enjoy what we’ve gathered. So let’s shift that mindset toward “everyday elegance” and allow these trinkets and treasures to become part of our routines.

Bringing Vintage Glassware into the Everyday

I love vintage glassware—the elegant cut, the unique colors, the sparkle it brings to a room. But instead of letting those glasses and sit on a shelf, why not bring them out for your everyday drinks? Even a splash of sparkling water with a slice of lemon feels different when served in a beautiful glass.

Here are some easy ways to incorporate vintage glassware:

  • Pour your morning water into a favorite vintage glass. Even if it’s just water, the ritual adds a touch of charm.
  • Use them as vases for small bouquets—just a few stems can transform a corner of your home.
  • Try rotating these beauties into your everyday dining routine; imagine a Sunday smoothie or juice in a delicate glass rather than a regular cup.
  • Look up a fun drink on Pinterest (it doesn’t have to be alcoholic!) and make it to enjoy while reading a book or sitting on the porch.

Lighting Up Your Life with Candleholders

Nothing sets a cozy, dreamy atmosphere like a flickering candle. Did you know that candlelight actually produces red light that soothes you in the evenings? If you’ve been saving your candleholders, it’s time to crack them out. Place them in areas you’ll notice often: your nightstand, beside the bathtub, next to your reading chair or computer.

Here are some small ways to enjoy your candleholders every day:

  • Dinner ritual: Light a candle, even if it’s just you and a bowl of soup. Candlelight gives dinner a soft glow and helps you unwind.
  • Reading nook: Set a candleholder by your books or reading spot. There’s something almost magical about reading by candlelight.
  • Evening bath or self-care time: Candles make ordinary moments feel restorative—no fancy spa needed.

I personally prefer to use beeswax, bayberry, or coconut wax candles due to their lower toxicity, but I also have a big collection of old candles that I’m using up and don’t honestly worry too much about it. If you have candles you’d like to burn but are concerned about air quality, take them out on your balcony or porch and enjoy them there, or just open a window.

Bringing Fine China Out of the Cabinet

You know the china that only seems to come out at Thanksgiving or Christmas? It’s time to give it a promotion! You don’t need a feast to bring out a special plate or teacup. Try introducing your favorite china into your weekly routine—imagine brunch on a dainty plate or a cup of tea in a teacup that’s just been sitting on a shelf (take care of the dust bunnies first!).

A few ideas for using fine china often:

  • Rotate your fine china into your breakfast routine, even if it’s just yogurt and coffee or tea.
  • Layer it with your everyday dishes to make any meal feel like a special gathering.
  • If you host friends, surprise them with a beautiful table setting—even if it’s just for tea or dessert.

Other Ideas for Using Beloved Collectibles

Let’s not forget the many other lovely little things we may have collected. Trinket dishes, silver trays, old perfume bottles…each can find a place in your daily life, helping you pause and appreciate your surroundings.

More ideas to inspire your creativity:

  • Use a silver tray to display perfume bottles or skincare products—it adds a touch of vintage elegance to your vanity.
  • Turn vintage books into decorative risers for houseplants or frames, creating a layered look on shelves.
  • Place a small trinket dish by the door for keys or on your dresser for jewelry.
  • Put a little dish by your computer to hold your lip balm, some sticky notes, or your Zoom lipstick (anybody else have one of those?).

Rotating your items throughout your home every so often can also keep things fresh while making sure these treasures stay within easy reach. I keep things amongst my bookcases so they’re on display but also available when I want to use them.

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

I hope this inspires you to bring out the pieces you already love and weave them into your daily life. After all, every item we cherish holds the potential to add a little spark, a little wonder, to our days. And while it’s perfectly lovely to collect, it’s far lovelier to live among the things that bring us joy.

If you’re already dreaming of ways to put your treasures to use, I’d love to hear about it! And if you’re seeking more encouragement and inspiration to live fully in each season, feel free to join us in the Dwell in Wonder Society. Together, we’re creating spaces and lives we truly love, one beautiful object at a time.

Let’s start using what we already have—and make every day a little more delightful.

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    Hi, I'm Jaime!

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    Hello, my fellow curious souls, bookworms, and daydreamers! I love to connect with others who take the time to dwell in a place of wonder and curiosity, have meaningful conversations, and desire to make a difference in the lives of others in their families, communities, and the whole, wide, world.

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