These days, it seems like many of the items we purchase are so flimsily-made, they’re practically disposable.
Older generations couldn’t afford to just throw things out and buy new ones, so they made their useful items out of strong materials that last a lifetime. If properly cared for, vintage items keep going… and going… and going! Products that were built to last are celebrated on the “Buy It For Life” subreddit. After browsing the posts there, we’re craving a trip to our local thrift shop to search for more durable wares!
1. This 20s era Magic Chef stove comes equipped with 6 burners, 2 ovens, and a bread warmer.
2. Say hello to grandpa’s 1971 Schwinn racer. That’s some solid metal construction!
3. This vintage crockpot is over 50 years old, but it still makes the yummiest queso and other goodies.
4. This person’s grandfather wore this sheepskin coat over 50 years ago. He clearly took care of it – it’s in mint condition!
5. “Our Singer sewing machine, 100 years old and works perfectly.”
6. Their grandparents gave them this Colman Snow-Lite Low Boy cooler that was manufactured in the 1960s. Today, it puts fancier coolers to shame and still keeps ice cold for a week.
7. “This used to wake me up for school in the 5th grade. I’m 39 now.”
8. “My great uncle’s watch that lived through combat in WW2. Wound it up and it still works perfectly.”
9. A perfectly preserved and 100% useful Le Creuset iron saucepan set from the 1980’s or 1990s. Looks like it was just unboxed yesterday, doesn’t it?
10. “Here is my 1958 Rolleiflex camera that was passed down to me. It still works perfectly and takes beautiful images.”
11. A 1682 oak chest that’s been in the same family for over 340 years. The lock still works.
12. “My mom and dad got matching North Face down jackets after their wedding 35 years ago. Still being worn today. Now that my dad won’t be wearing his anymore, it’s up to me to make sure it continues to get used.”
13. This thriving heirloom Thanksgiving Cactus is 100 years old. The same family has passed it down for three generations.
14. “Grandmother still has her WWII Frigidaire Refrigerator. Still works without a hitch!”
15. “Oxford bookbag from 1880 or so. My grandpa got it used when he started high school in 1951. It has since been used and enjoyed by my mom, uncle, aunt, and myself and is still durable.”
They just don’t make things like they used to! Then again, maybe we just need to invest in some quality items like these. We’d much rather “mend and make do” than buy new!
Share this story to celebrate items that withstand the test of time.
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