Building a hope chest was a task undertaken by parents for their daughters. The wooden chest or box traditionally held household items a woman would need for married life, which was synonymous (at one time) with starting her own household. Today, women often move out on their own before marriage. Parents can always modify the traditional practice by sending the chest with their daughters when they move out, regardless of whether the women are single or married.
A cedar deck box works well in this capacity for several reasons. First, it is strong enough to house the items. Second, the cedar wood makes an attractive finish. Third, natural oils in the wood will repel insects and protect the items stored within.
If this practice interests you, start with selecting an appropriate container for your daughter’s hope chest. Once you select the right cedar deck box, begin stockpiling items to go inside. You can approach this task with a planned or unplanned method. To use a planned method, make a list of all the items you might like to include. Plan shopping times and set deadlines. For instance, you might decide to obtain one item every year or every six months.
For the unplanned method, simply buy an item whenever it strikes you. Maybe you will see an item that screams of your daughter’s personality. Or maybe you will notice a high-quality item on sale while you are looking for something else. If you don’t care about the items being a surprise, allow your daughter to help choose items.
As for the actual items, you might consider some of the following suggestions: blankets, quilts, embroidered towels or pillowcases, classic cookbooks, or special serving dishes. Some of these items you’ll probably want to buy. But make sure to include any family heirlooms or personal items of significance (perhaps family photo albums or journals, a family Bible, jewelry, or Grandma’s quilts).
If you or another member of the family engages in crafts, you will probably want to include a handmade gift in the hope chest, something created especially with your daughter in mind. Or perhaps your personal contribution could be painting a scene or your daughter’s name on the lid of the cedar deck box. Or perhaps you could write letters to your daughter as she grows up. Seal these letters and place them inside the cedar deck box for her to read as an adult when she moves out on her own.
Building a hope chest for your daughter presents a chance for you to contribute to her future now. It’s much easier than scrambling to find or make items in a few months when she’s an adult. Buying a beautiful cedar deck box is only the first step in this special process. Remember to pass along both helpful and meaningful items to your daughter because a hope chest is a matter of heritage.