At what point in time does a random object lying on the top shelf of one’s closet become an invaluable family heirloom?

No, but like seriously…Is there a certain timeline or generation that marks the shift of a 80cent candle stick holder into an irreplaceable family heirloom? Trust me, I’m a huge fan of sentimentalism and would even consider myself an active member of the ‘I care a lot’ club, but where does one draw the line between sentiment and being excessive? 

The thing I love about families is that they know how to turn something ordinary, in to something special…But many families don’t necessarily know all about their history, and the people and places they came from. Let alone have the luxury of possessing family heirlooms. So it is natural, and even expected for these types of people to crave something different for their own family one day…Perhaps in the form of starting new traditions, sharing old stories, or even creating new family heirlooms that they wish to pass down to their future generations…Because every tradition, story or generational heirloom had to start somewhere.