Tickets, I keep if it’s a band that I really like, and I have a memory attached to the event. These can be repurposed.
Pictures- toss any blurred ones, and duplicates. Write the dates on the back, even if approximate, where the picture was taken, and the full name of the person in picture.
Toss any card that doesn’t have a personal message in it.
Letters – keep, bundled by sender.
Store-bought cards- unless there’s a personal note in it, toss. The sentiment belongs to Hallmark. Keep homemade cards and drawings.
Collection of notes passed during class—scan, toss originals.
Ribbons from grade school and middle school sports events – give to kids in the family to use when playing school.
Class notes, term papers, etc. – toss. You will never look at them again. College papers – scan and toss original if you’re interested in the subject or think you may need a writing sample at a future date. Otherwise, toss.
High school “stuff” like yearbooks, phone directory, t-shirts, pictures, etc. Put in a box labeled “reunion” and save it until the next milestone reunion, like 10th or 25th. Even if you don’t go, you can “donate” the stuff to the organizers.
Childhood sports—scan the pictures and the awards, toss the originals. Lots of times your parents don’t mind storing this sort of thing. A friend’s mom one year gifted childhood memories to my friend’s and his siblings children. She gave a granddaughter a box full of old prom dresses and shoes, one grandson got his father’s little league uniform, glove, ball, and 3 trophies, and team pictures. Another got the grade school football uniform, ball, and trophies. Everything else related to the sports, she tossed.
The scanner really is your friend for things you’re not sure you want part with. Make back-ups.