lost holiday decorations in Cedar Rapids
Description
I was packing up for a family gathering Friday evening when I set a tote of holiday decorations on my apartment porch. At 7:30 p.m., I heard a crash from the hallway and rushed to check, but the tote was gone. Inside were strings of warm white lights, a red and gold wreath, and a tiny ceramic star from my grandmother's collection. The thought of them ending up somewhere else makes my heart sink, since they carry memories of Christmases in our Cedar Rapids, Iowa home. The disappearance happened on 2nd Avenue, near the Cedar Rapids Public Library. If anyone saw something or picked them up by chance, I would be grateful to bring them back home.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.