It used to be common practice for a young girl to be given a hope chest in order to collect things that she would need once she got married. The name "hope chest" symbolizes the hope that the young girl would be married someday and have a home of her own. Such a chest was given by the parents. While the idea of keeping a hope chest has dwindled throughout the century, there is no reason to start the tradition with a tween girl today.
What is a Hope Chest
The chest is any type of wooden box to store items. The most popular types of hope chests are bigger boxes that are kept at the foot of a girl's bed. They can actually range in any size. The importance of the hope chest is what goes inside for hopes of a future life with a husband and home.
Where to Buy a Hope Chest
Hope chests can be found in just about any furniture store. They can range in price depending on size and what type of wood the chest is made from. Price also depends on how intricate the details are on the hope chest. Lane cedar chests were undoubtedly the most popular brand from the early 1900s through the late 1980s. To find this manufacturer today, a family could try finding one on eBay or at an auction.
To make a hope chest really nostalgic, a family won't need to buy one at all. It would be a great idea to pass one down through generations, if possible. Many tween girls like the idea of having something older that belonged to relatives who have passed along their legacy.
What to Place in a Hope Chest
Start collecting items for a hope chest by starting simple. There is no need to stock up on expensive or bulky things while a girl is still in her tween years. As she gets older, she can add the bigger ticket items as she sees fit. Anything that can be personalized will add an extra touch.
Books
- cookbooks
- family scrapbooks
- inspiration books
Basic Linens
- towels
- dish rags
- embroidered apron
- any kitchen accessories
Family Heirlooms
- broaches
- earrings
- paintings and pictures
- recipes
Whatever a tween girl decides to keep in her hope chest will be special and serve as a reminder for life to come. A mother can encourage her daughter to keep up with the hope chest by adding surprises to it on special occasions, such as birthdays, Christmas, graduation, and others. This is definitely a tradition that can become one of the most memorable times in a young girl's life.
Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
