The phrase "Pay It Forward" largely died out after memories of the 2000 film of the same name evaporated.

But EVE officials hope to revive the sentiment, and launch a similarly named tradition that is already superior to any film starring Haley Joel Osment.

EVE, a three-day festival that has replaced First Night as Salt Lake City's official New Year's Eve celebration, began Tuesday despite snow. Festivities ranging from music to planetarium light shows were held across 14 venues from the Gallivan Center to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

But one of the more unique aspects of EVE was held at the Grand Hall at The Gateway shopping mall. It continues today and Dec. 31 from noon to 8 p.m.

eBay employees from the online auction company's Draper office set up a shelves in the hall where objects donated by Utahns were displayed. In a project dubbed "eBay It Forward," Utahns brought items Tuesday that meant something to them in 2009 and dropped it off at the pavilion, and each donor wrote a short note about why the item is special to them.

After the three days of EVE are over, eBay will auction off the donated items on its Website. Proceeds will then be donated to the Salt Lake chapter of Family Promise, a local interfaith charity that helps homeless families. "It was completely a blessing," said Family Promise program director Troy Milner of learning that eBay had tapped them as the beneficiary.

"This is a testing ground," said J.D. Norton, eBay senior events and rewards specialist, of eBay It Forward. "It's never been done before."

A light but steady stream of poignant objects began to be displayed on the white shelves of the pavilion that resembled a work of art in its own right. Donations included:

» A simple pair of gently worn blue jeans with a note that read: "These are jeans my husband bought me. I was wearing them when he proposed to me."

» A Miller High Life beer stein that was donated by the sibling of a mug-collecting brother who committed suicide.

» A small bottle of perfume that brought comfort to someone who battled depression much of the year. "I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me during this sad year," a note read.

» Eight stuffed bears that were "selected for foster children we planned to adopt," one note read. "Unfortunately, my wife Darlene was diagnosed with progressive MS, which prevented us from fulfilling our adoption plans. We hope children in need will adopt these bears."

A Mickey Mouse plush toy sat on one shelf, and it was donated by Norton. It was the first gift he remembered receiving, a gift from his uncle after both went to Disneyland when Norton was 3 years old. His uncle died this past year, and Norton decided to donate the toy and allow it to be auctioned off. "I hope that someone can get as much enjoyment from this tattered Mickey ... as I did," he wrote in the note.

An EVE wristband is not needed to look at or donate items.