While the holiday season is often referred to as extravagant, with a hyped-up "dispose of the old and upgrade to the new" mentality, I'm enjoying conversations with Wells Fargo History Museum visitors that seem to reflect the contrary. They refer affectionately to cherished toys—no matter how old and tattered—they hope to pull out on occasion for years to come and pass down to future generations. So here are some resources to help you do just that.

• For those "best friends" from your childhood 
• G.I. Joe and Barbie need long-term care, too! 
• To avoid the broken MONOPOLY box syndrome 

Plus, some other general sites:

• An overview 
• The hard work part of genealogy 
• A series of pamphlets about specific items and problems 

Archivist Christy Johnson also recommends the following:

• Keep items clean, whether that be in a nice UV-filtered display case (for limited light exposure) or the original packaging (keep in mind that light damage is cumulative and once the colors on your boxes fade, they will not return). Light damage and dust are probably two of the biggest concerns for toys. I would keep items out of direct sunlight.
• Keep a good list of your items. If something is destroyed or damaged, it is always good to track items and best to have photos of the items' original condition. Also, while storing items , make sure that the toys, whether still in packages or not, are in archival boxes, paper or sleeves.

From the personal side of helping the family clean out the houses of relatives, I can also suggest a few things. Tell people the stories and memories associated with your pieces. Write down and keep your stories stored with the objects. Put them in a special place, set aside from the items of daily activity. I'm not saying to hide things away, not at all. But make sure they won't get jumbled up and discarded during the stress of cleaning out .

There is an incredible amount of information out there, and it can feel a little overwhelming when you just want to care for that stuffed bear from the 1950s. Try not to feel daunted, and just do something. Pull out your beloved items, check out the condition, and think about its storage environment. Better to take just a few small steps now, as opposed to pulling beloved teddy out in five years to show someone, only to find it moldy, faded, or moth-eaten beyond recognition.