Found. Answers to the question "What do you do with sentimental knick-knacks?" from a knick knack forum: Maybe you could take a photo of each of your favorite objects? Put all the photos in an album or scrapbook. That way you can look at them any time you like and enjoy the memories. Meanwhile there's no chance of breakage, your house is uncluttered, and your precious collectibles can be boxed up and placed in storage.
Surely you can use one decorative curio type piece in any style. Then simply rotate the pieces you love to see. It doesn't have to be large, quite the contrary, you can buy them to hang on the wall for the smaller pieces.
I would find nice boxes put the items carefully in the boxes.
It sounds like you need a wunderkammer. This is a special chest or display cabinet whose contents are not intended to be viewed constantly, only when desired. Otherwise it stays closed, protecting the valuable relics inside; the cabinet is frequently a family heirloom or decorated in keeping with the esteem given to the objects inside. It can be any size. In the most lavish estates, the cabinet was a little decorated room.
I have lots of sentimental knick knacks that I cannot bear to part with, but I do not want them on display in my home as they do not really go with the decor. I can't bear to get rid of them though as many were gifts and hold sentimental value. So, I put them in my office (not a home office, an office at work away from my home that I can leave everyday). My office has lots of surfaces that can display many knick knacks nicely. Also its a bit plain in there and the personal touches warm it up a bit. That way I get to see them everyday, they don't sit in a box, and I don't have to get rid of them. And on occassion they make interesting conversation topics with co-workers. I like much better having the ecclectic look in my office where I can leave behind everyday than in my clutter-free home where I entertain guests. Of course if you do not have a private office/desk where you can lock the door, I would not put any valuable knick-knacks in there. My souvenier magnets look much better on the oversized ugly metal filing cabinet in my office than they do in my contemporary kitchen Wall art that I no longer want in my home brightens up my drab office.