I started a hope chest for each of my sons when they were twelve. Now if they don't marry immediately upon leaving home,they will have a lot of things they will need for their home. At Christmas, one of their present's is always something for their hope chest. Last year my oldest received a waffle maker and recipe's for it.This is something he said he wanted. I found a nice set of cookware on clearance and have put it aside for a present for this year. I picked up a coffee maker at the local thrift store for 2$ and after making sure it worked, this also went in his hope chest. A well stocked Hope Chest will save him money when he starts out on his own or if he marries it will save the couple from having to purchase a lot of household items they will need for their home.They each have a recipe book in their chest and when we have a food they really like, I write out the recipe and add it to their recipe book.
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
I did the same for my sons. They both loved the stuff I collected over the years for them. They will appreciate it.
I too did this for my son - we called it his Bachelor Box as that's the name for this type box where I come from (Scottish Highlands) and was also used by the American colonists and pioneers, probably because a large number were Scots displaced by the Clearances in the late 18th and early-mid 19th century!
I put in everything he could possibly need! Dinnerware, cookware, cook/serve/eating utensils, can openers both manual and electric...cleaning cloths, towels, table cloths, two sets each bedding for single, double, Queen beds, simple curtains, and even some crocheted afghans. I could go on and on about the things I put in there for him! He actually ended up with three chests - one for bedroom, one for kitchen and bath, and one for 'just things you might need'.
He got married right after high school and those things were such a help to the young couple as they were going through uni and were on the usual very tight budget all young couples begin on.
And now he still has and uses most of those things:) One of the things he loves most are the crocheted dish cloths I made him - he's 32 now and those are still going strong!
Luckily I'd kept a dated inventory taped to the inside of the chests including serial numbers, pattern names, descriptions, and when he showed that to the judge he was able to keep those things. When he had to set up his own home again after 7 years of marriage he had everything he needed - a little worn from the years of use during his marriage but still serviceable.
This worked out so well for us we've started one for my grandson:)
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!