"hope chests"
 

As most people remember when we were growing up (I'm 71) there was lots of talk about this subject. I am running out of ideas for gifts, contributions etc for my growing pile of projects. I have 5 granddaughters and three grandsons.
Most college age or close. My thought was to start making useful items that they could use when they get married or have an apartment themselves. Thoughts please.

Dorrie

I think that is a great idea. Taste change so how do you decide what to do? Thanks for the idea. BrendaK

Placemat & napkin sets; microwave bowl holders, pot holders, tablerunners. If you don't want to make quilts, how about a quilt topper [I don't know if that's what they're really called, but it is a smaller quilt that goes over a quilt for decoration].

Why not tell the grandkids that you would like to start making some things for them to use in their future lives. Ask what their tastes are and what they would like to have. Ask if they have a place to keep the things you make, or if you should keep them until they need them. It sounds like a great way to stay in touch with the grands, and they will also be more likely to tell you what they would like RIGHT NOW if they know you are looking for projects.

My mom bought me a hope chest when I was in my teens. Then over the years, gifts were things to go in the hopechest for when I started my own life. I loved it. I had an aunt who made me pillow case overs, my grandmother made me a quilt. Not sure the younger generation will cherish those things as they should though until they are older.

Funny story alert: when my sis and I were younger,she always said there was no hope for her chest! LOL

Dunster, you always have such good suggestions!! I have a granddaughter who will be going to college in a year and would like to start putting her "hope chest" together. She loves orange -- I saw orange pans the other day. Really need to ask if she would like them for her "someday" kitchen.

for nammie to 7.... remember tastes change... in a few years she might hate orange... and it will go out of date too...

My 20 year old Granddaughter just got married last fall, her Daddy made her a hope chest when she was 13. She had filled it to the brim, with all the things she wanted for her home. A lot of the things were homemade items I made for her for Birthdays and Christmas and of course her Wedding Quilt. I think there are still young ladies who have Hope Chests. I love your idea, and think your Grandchildren will too.

I have already started doing this. I only have 2 grandchildren, which makes it easier.

I received a hope chest and still have it. My aunts all came over those many years ago and brought me towel sets, gorgeous table clothes etc. It was very exciting. That year three of my cousins also received their hope chest too.

I am sure you will bless them with many nice things to put in their hope chest

I have my Grandmother's hope chest that her father bought her for her 16th birthday. I'm in my late 50's soooooo this thing is an antique. No quilts stored in there....just a bunch of picture albums and her shoebox of photo's.

I have pillowcases that my Grandmother made over 50 years ago. I just can't use them. They were only a small part of what was in my "hope" chest.

When I bought a cedar chest, I chose an upright chest style. When my DGDgot her new house, I gave it to her with the contents. There was a grandma apron included. We used to make cookies each Christmas season and she can use it many years in the future. I wish I had had more to put in the Hope Chest.

Neither of my daughters have hope chests because they didn't want them. My eldest has her own condo - so she is using what she has now. (She is 32 and not yet married and storage is minimal.) My younger daughter, lives with us right now because she is working full time and went back to school full time to get her Master's. She is 29 and when she was living with her friends they used all that the items they had and no idea what storage is. And I have 2 nieces that are kind of in the same boat.

So I make the items and let them decide what to do with them. We have a rather small family, so it give me an excuse to make more.

My sisters and I each had a Hope Chest, mine currently stores the family silver service, my daughters' baby quilts and my stamp albums. My eldest sister is no longer with us, so her eldest daughter has hers and my other sister had 2 boys and uses hers like I use mine.

I love the idea of making things for them for their future. I would stay with the tried and true colors and not do anything trendy. Neutrals, Christmas, 30's, civil war have all stood the test of time. A favorite color now might change.

I am thinking an updated version of hand embroidered pillow cases might still be appreciated. I have 12 pr from our wedding 42 yrs ago and cherish them... So why not find a nice print or even white or ecru and make some nice pillowcases for them. SulaBug just posted some wonderful pillow cases here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t240773.html
I just made 3 pillowcases using this tutorial:http://quiltingtutorials.com/browse-...ase-challenge/
Just an updated 'Hope Chest' idea.. HTH

The orange pan set might be the Rachel Ray set. I don't know who else makes blaze orange pots and pans. They are decent pans (my DD has an orange set) and hold up well. Just wanted to let you know...

Anita

I think DWR quilts are gorgeous and would be nice to have as a gift and maybe the colors you put in now wouldn't be to out of style. I also think it's a good idea to ask them what they might like or a color that they think they would like. It's hard with colors since I know myself the new colors come out and you love them so asking is nice idea. I still have my Cedar Chest as it was called when I got mine and I"m 68 so they always change even what they're called. Good luck and it's so nice of you to wonder what they might like. Sue

I envy those of you who have/had hope chests! My mother thought they were "lower class" and so never permitted us to have one. How sad is that? While my husband and I received many lovely new gifts when we were married, there was nothing as special as what might have been stored in a hope chest. Let alone that if I hadn't married, I'd never have received anything - even tho I'd still have had to set up housekeeping!

I want to encourage everyone to start a hope chest - call it whatever you like! - for the young people they love. While colors and patterns come and go, love never goes out of style. Even in the rare event that the beneficiary never uses the quilt or dish towels or pillow cases or whatever, the love and forethought (=belief in the loved one's future!) that went into the creation will almost certainly be treasured.

My daughters (25 and 23) LOVE when I make placemats and table runners for them and also aprons. They both like to change them according to the season/holiday. They also love the quilts and pillow shams I've made for them.

I asked my 15 year old if she had a grandma to do that for her would she appreciate it? Her response, Yes! "I would appreciate whatever they were but if I could choose I would want them holiday themed." Hope that helps.

That is a wonderful and loving idea!!!

I still have mine also! It houses all the family heirlooms....somehow I wound up with all my siblings baptismal gowns. Does anyone remember "Lane" chests? When we were in high school (60's) they gave out miniature chests in the hopes that you'd buy from them.

What a great thread. My mother and I are English transplants to Australia. In England my mother called it "the bottom drawer", but when we got to Australia, here they refer to it as a "Glory Box". Whatever the name, it is a wonderful idea...there are so many things that are "timeless" and useful. Who wouldn't love handmade pillowcases, sachets for pot-pourri or lavender, lingerie bags, stocking bags, table linen, heat pads, potholders table runners.....a stunning quilt...all future heirlooms. Even more special if they are "signed" and dated. I still have and use a hand embroidered divided bag for stockings, made by my great-grandmother.

I like the Apron idea, with towels & pot holders, mats to match! Also any small thing to use as a décor piece, table toppers, holiday items. Lots of 'younger' ones, really aren't interested in 'older' tastes, BUT, eventually they grow a little older, and REALLY appreciate what Grandma made !

yes, tastes change. my youngest is 20. just 2 years ago everything was greys. now it is evolving into greys and purples. but, sigh, she loves Halloween and BATS still. even has 3 bat tattoos. yea . . . hoping that evolves into grandkids and maybe cooking. She tried sewing. made 1 baby quilt and decided it wasn't EVER going to become a hobby. so, yes, bed runners and pillow cases in neutrals or table toppers for holidays, a couch sz quilt or wall hanging with their college colors, placemats, kids placemats for THEIR kids, (even if they don't have them yet), shaving kits for travels and dorm room living or a make up brush roll for the girls. oh, have fun!

Our DDIL asked for a blanket chest (aka: hope chest) for Christmas 2012. Since my husband was going to make it, he asked if I would like one too. So I finally have my hope chest too. LOL I think all the ideas suggested are good ones for filling it. I know my daughter would appreciate the timeless items, plus any themed items for decorating for the holidays. You are a thoughtful grandparent to leave them such a legacy of handmade items for generations to come!

Nannie7 - we have teased my aunt for more than 50 years about her love of orange..... it is one of those colors i think that you either like or DON'T like....if she likes orange, i don't think her taste will change. Just FYI ......i STILL have and use my avacado blender and my goldenrod food processor.....

I made tree skirts, pot holders, microwave bowls, Christmas table cloths & table runners, kitchen towels and mug rugs for our 5 grands that are now in their late teens & early 20s. The girls are all thrilled that Gma has these things ready for them when they are on their own. The boys not so much. LOL. I'm hoping their future wives will appreciate them. The girls all love hand made items and appreciate the time involved to make them.

I made a raggy quilt for each of my 6 grandchildren when they started to college. Three of them are married, but are still using their quilts.
Since I arranged their squares by color, there were quite a few finished squares left. So, I put them together in a scrappy raggy quilt. Now some of them like the scrappy one best, so who do I give it to?

Dunster, Good answer - let them have some input! They'll be more likely to use something they've had a say about. P.S. So good to hear from you again! Everyone was worried about you (AND missing your sense of humor)!

Our daughter is 14, and we are planning to have a hope chest made by a cabinetmaker for her 16th birthday. The first quilt that she has completed is waiting to go into it and she has plans to make more. When I make things for it, I will stick to neutral colors, so that I know she will want to use them someday.

I have a hope chest for all four of the grandkids (including the boy) every couple years they love to poke through them, and make suggestions of what they like - I started making a 'list' of these things and putting it in the chest', they now love to see what they thought was 'cool' when they were 10 or 14… the oldest is 23, and still no plans for marriage (in school), so they still poke...

When got married in 1962..My stepfather made me a hope chest...back then my mom called them cedar chests..and mine is made out of cedar inside and out...it's beautiful and it's full...of my things from wedding album to wedding dress...highschool annual..and keepsakes from my 2 daughters and grandchildren...and lots of memories in there also..

What a wonderful idea. My advice would be to make things that you like. They will appreciate what your taste in colour or pattern was (at least they will when they get older). You could also include items which are family heirlooms, or that they can remember an activity with you. For example: An elderly friend did not know what to give her grandaughter for a shower gift. She no longer baked so we wrapped out a rather old and very well used cookie sheet and her rolling pin, did up a nice note of how grandma had made so many cookies for those she loved and she was passing it on to her grandaughter. Let me tell you there were tears, hugs, laughter and many smiles. That young lady treasures that gift and always will. Perhaps it will be passed on to her grandaughter.

amh

I like the idea. Maybe ask what they would like or use.

Holiday place mats and table runners. Every month has a holiday or theme.

I think that's a great idea - my son now has my "hope chest" as I no longer have the room, so I hope they use it and since it's a Lane cedar chest, they just might. I would make placemats, table runners, small wall hangings to go with the holiday theme, Christmas, Valentine's Day, fall, summer, etc., plus you could ask what they would like.