| Hope chests have been a staple of family traditions | | | | only hope to be married and start a family as her |
| for centuries. They seem to have gone by the | | | | whole life goal. Even career minded women can use |
| wayside in recent years though, but if you have a | | | | many of the things hope chests hold. |
| daughter, you may want to consider purchasing this | | | | If your family has some fine linens, china or hand |
| time-honored special gift for her. | | | | embroidered items that have been handed down |
| Hope chests were originally the chests where a | | | | through generations and you are planning to hand |
| woman's dowry was kept. They come by many | | | | down to your daughter, hope chests are the place |
| names from hope chests to wedding chests or glory | | | | for these to go. You can create the hope chests |
| boxes. But their jobs are the same. They are a place | | | | with your girls and let them know about the history |
| where special things are put for a girl, to start her | | | | of each of the items going into the hope chests, so |
| new life as a married woman. | | | | they will well appreciate the items that are waiting |
| Generally the unmarried woman will store different | | | | for them in the years to come. |
| things in her hope chest, plus, her family makes sure | | | | For many girls, just being able to have a piece of |
| they are filled with things she will need to start her | | | | their past through hope chests is priceless, knowing |
| new home such as tablecloths, bed linens, towels, | | | | that they are an important part of a continuing family |
| quilts, even silverware and china. These were all | | | | legacy. |
| thought to be items the young women would need | | | | As you consider what to put in today's hope chests, |
| to begin her new home and family once she was | | | | you can take into account that times have changed, |
| married to a young man. Additionally there was | | | | and things that were important a century ago, may |
| usually a special dress kept in this box. That dress | | | | not be as important now. But you may want to |
| would be her wedding dress, often a heirloom dress | | | | work with your daughter to create hope chests that |
| that had been passed down over time. | | | | are perfect for her. Some of the things that may be |
| The name of hope chests came from the hope all | | | | included are Christmas ornaments that you have |
| young women had of being married and starting their | | | | selected each year of her life. If you are crafty or |
| own family. In the 1950s as society changed in views | | | | talented in sewing you may want to create a blanket |
| about marriage, and the stereotypical roles in | | | | or other items that will go well with the theme of |
| marriage, this practice started to wane. | | | | hope chests. It's even better if you create these |
| Just because it's no longer the trend, doesn't mean | | | | items together. You will be able to share time with |
| you can't create hope chests you're your daughters. | | | | your daughter, and dream about her future together. |
| This does not mean you expect your daughter to | | | | |