LOST Holiday Decorations in Southern Illinois
Description
I was decorating for Christmas at 3:15 PM last Friday in my apartment on University Street in Carbondale when the box of holiday decorations disappeared from the dining room table. The garlands, ribbons, and a fragile glass star were all there a moment before. The room smells of pine and cinnamon, and my heart sank as I realized they were gone. I’ve retraced my steps through the living room and kitchen, and I even asked a neighbor who stopped by, but nothing turned up. These decorations aren’t just things — they carry memories from last year’s family gathering. I’m holding onto hope they’ll turn up in someone’s attic or closet and find their way back to our 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.