Curtains?

They were my mother's bedroom curtains 45 years ago.  Two pairs. Sanderson.
It was the first time she'd been able to buy exactly what she wanted and she got the wallpaper to match. 
Now they're stained and faded and the linings are shedded. I was going to throw them out (again) for textile recycling but yet again I've stayed my hand. 
Why is it so hard to get rid of old stuff? It's just stuff. Except it's not. Memories and  emotions are embedded in it. But only for me. And  it's my responsibility to deal with it. I'd happily give the curtains to anyone who had a use for them but is that just wishful thinking? Should it really be curtains for these superannuated drapes?