Hope Chests

I heard a great idea a few months ago. Get a diary or blank page book for each child. Once a month or whenever you have time write a letter to each child in their book. Put the date at the top and just start writing about what they are doing, funny things they say, ways that they affect your life in a positive way, ect. You can give it to them when they a grown or when they are a teenager (the age that they feel unloved) I just started with my almost 4 yr old son, so I wrote everything special from birth to now. That was a long one but now I just go write a sentence or two when he does or says something funny or sweet.

I did not have one, however, I have saved SO much of my daughter's things in chests that are preserved.

She may love it or throw it away when the time comes but I have saved SO many clothes from her childhood, fun items, hand made quilts from grandmothers and great aunts, cast iron pans from grandmothers,etc for her.

My mom mailed a Rubbermaid chest to me a few years ago with clothes that my grandmother made for me and other small items that were sentimental. She also sent a baby book that had carefully been filled out and completed with baby pictures and notes from my childhood. I loved it.

I have a baby book and journals I have filled out for my daughter and TONS of special clothes I can't part with and toys. I hope someday she enjoys going through them.

As for future years,,,, I pack older dishes, pans, linens, anything daughter can use when she goes on to college or her own place for her to use.

It's funny, I am using some Tupperware that my Grandmother used as well as my mother used that was passed to me. I also have a cast iron "cornbread" pan passed to me from my paternal Grandmother that I use.

My daughter is well aware when I use a special pan/dish from my Grandmothers. She knows I take care of them so that they can be passed on to her and her children someday.

Best wishes.

I had one back in the day, but I was the one to purchase for it when I was a teenager. I just put fun stuff in it that I thought would look awesome when I finally got out of my parent's house, lol!

Hope Chests are great!! My mom had one for me and she put kitchen linens, towels, dishes, silverware, glasses and a nice comforter as well as photos while i was growing up. Your daughters will love it!!

My mom put a little of everything in mine. Dishware, handed down linens, things from my mother's descent, Japan. Mostly things that she handed down to me but new home items as well. I think it's a great idea!
C.