What is a Hope Chest Used For? 

Perhaps a better question is "What were hope chests used for?" Hope chests used to be utilized to collect heirlooms and possessions to be passed on to the family's daughters upon their marriage. The chest itself is considered an heirloom, not only to preserve and pass on important family items but to be passed on to more generations to come. It represented the "hope" of a happy and successful marriage that would expand the family tree. Hope that the memories of its contents would live on. 

Today, they can be used however you choose! You can use it to store movies you HOPE to find time to watch, use it for blanket storage, or whatever you please. 

You may also choose to honor the traditions of the past and store items you hope to pass on to your children at a specific time. 

Ideas for Modern Hope Chests

• Keep a journal with letters to your family.
• Use it as a gift for newly married couples and fill it with pots, pans, and other household items that are traditionally given as wedding gifts. 
• Bedroom storage for blankets and pillows. 
• Collect your baby's keepsakes like first shoes, first shirt, first hat, etc...
• Collectibles like baseball cards or autographs and other sports memorabilia.
• Whatever you choose!

Read more on Hope Chests: History of Hope Chests. 

Adding Cedar Options

The character keeps coming with this cherry hope chest. Not only does it have the live edge slab on the lid but you can add a full cedar lining to cover the entire interior of your chest. 

You can also choose to add a cedar sliding tray!

Does Cedar Repel Insects?

The oil of cedarwood not only creates a pleasant smell for you, but it can deter pests such as moths, cockroaches, and termites from bothering with your contents. For centuries, red cedar has been used to construct chests and furniture linings to protect clothing from intrusive and destructive pests. While humans find the sweet smell of cedar oil very pleasing, insects and pests find it to be wretched! 

Adding an Engraving to Your Rustic Chest

Head on over to "select options" and have your chest engraved with some of our standard beautiful imagery or choose a custom engraving. 

See more products from this woodshop: Heirloom Keepsakes Collection