Reflections of a Face - photographer, blogger, homeschool student

Reflections of a Face

Jul. 3, 2009

Frugality in Filling Your Hope Chest

Categorized in Frugality

Some people think of hope chests as something old fashioned or out-dated. I think of them as practical. A hope chest can be anything from a Rubbermaid tote to a wooden chest. It can be plain or fancy, but it does not matter.

I know a lot of young women don’t really have all that much to spend on a whole boatload of things to fill their hope chest with. That’s where frugality and creativity comes into play. That’s what we’re talking about today. Frugally filling your hope chest.

First of all, I think it’s helpful to get an idea of what you will need. Here’s a list of things that I am planning to put in mine:

•    Sheet sets and blankets enough for 2-3 beds
•    Bath/room towels and wash cloths
•    Kitchen towels and dish rags
•    Dishes
•    1 table cloth
•    10 cloth napkins
•    2 potholders
•    baby blankets
•    burp cloths
(I may even put some baby clothes in. Who knows! ☺)

Those are the very basics. (I have a GIANT list somewhere.)

Now lets start discussing, shall we? First off: the sheet sets and blankets. I would probably buy the sheets and blankets new just because I wouldn’t feel comfortable other wise. You could always embroider the pillowcases and the top of the sheets if you wanted. That is totally up to you!

For the bathroom and kitchen towels and rags I would probably buy the towels new and crochet or knit the cloths. If you don’t know how to crochet or knit it’s pretty easy to learn how. There are many different sites online for tutorials and patterns to teach you how for free!

If you know how to sew a hem, then the tablecloth and the napkins will be a breeze! The potholders shouldn’t be very expensive either.

Keep in mind as you make your list that you look for anything that could be handmade. Whether that be sewing, knitting, crocheting, or even adding a simple touch such as a little bit of embroidery. Just choose which option is best and cheapest for you. As I briefly mentioned earlier, if you don’t know how to do something (like embroidery, crocheting, knitting, etc…) there are many books, tutorials, blogs, and videos online where you can learn for free.

Be creative. If something could serve two or more purposes that is great! It will make what little money you do have stretch. Also, if there is something on your list that is really not necessary, or something you are only going to use a handful of times at the most, don’t buy/make it. If you plan to put any pots or pans in yours you may want to consider which two pans you would use the most. For me this would be a 10inch iron skillet and a saucepan. And you can sometimes find a set of matching dishes at thrift stores.

To sum it up, be creative, learn, stretch a dollar, and consolidate.

If any of you have recommendations as to what to fill a hope chest with, feedback is welcome! Also, married ladies, what did you use the most when you got married?

Hope that helps gals!

~Hannah

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Comments

Jul. 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Eyebright

I think this is a really good idea! I haven't really been working on filling my hope chest, but this has got me to thinking. I will have to wait until we are moved to really start working on it though.

Have a very bright, very cheerful day!
Miss Eyebright

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment

This is a great list, Hannah.

When I was married, I started with almost nothing. The wedding guests were very generous. However, I wish I had taken an older, wiser mom, grandmother, or aunt with me to register for gifts. Sales people encourage you to register for things that often prove useless. Ignore them and take mom, grandma, aunt or future m-i-l instead.

I had no idea how to stock a home, and being prepared, investing in fewer well-made, quality things, rather than many cheaply-made items would have saved us a lot in the long run.

Meredith from Like Merchant Ships is a great blog that often gives me great ideas for smart shopping. You could easily apply those ideas for even smarter hope chest stocking.

One thing I wish I had done was to copy down all my mom's recipes and get my hubby's favs from my mother-in-law. We both missed "home cooking." I found myself calling my mom from the grocery store asking for ingredients. In retrospect, having all those way ahead of time would have been smart.

You're off to an impressive start, a full decade earlier than I began to think about such things.

The blog looks great!

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment

I have a variety of things I've collected over the years that I didn't go into a specific hope chest - just boxes stored in the spare room. Mostly it's dishes and and cake pans.

I'm getting married next month and I, personally, am glad I didn't collect too much stuff because I'm moving all the way across the country and it's just impractical to take a bunch of stuff with me! But it's probably a good idea for other situations :)

One thing I wish I HAD gotten before was a sewing machine of my own. I always just used my mother's and now that I'm moving out I really wish I had one of my own. I registered for one on my bridal registry, but it's and expensive piece of equipment and I don't know if I'll get it.

I guess I'll know better what I should have done when I get married :D Hindsight is 20/20.

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Recipes

jransmith

Recipes, recipes, recipes! Get a three ring binder. The bigger the better and collect recipes. Lots of recipes. Recipes for everything from baked goods to laundry detergent. Every time you go to a family member's home for a get together ask for their favorite cookbook and turn to the pages that has the most food on it. Literally. That means it is a good recipe that they go back to.
When I was first married, let's say I was not a very proficient cook. About the only thing I knew how to cook was spaghetti. And I cooked it and cooked it and cooked it. I cooked it so much my husband won't hardly eat it anymore. So try to get a variety of recipes from good ol' country cooking to Italian to Thai. The old saying that variety is the spice of life is true.

PS I'm 35 yrs old and I am still asking my mom, grandmother and my inlaws for old family recipes. But I hit up allrecipes.com alot, too.

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment

I agree with what some of the other women said - recipes. Start collecting and learning how to cook them now.

I would personally encourage you to not get sheets/blankets/towels/washcloths now b/c you do not know your husbands preferences at this point. It would be prudent, in my opinion, to wait. Plus, your tastes will change - trust me. :)

-Sarah Mae

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Replies to the Comments

Thank you for pointing that out to me! I was planning on buying white sheets, pillow cases, towels and such if I bought any.

Thanks for all the tips and sharing your wisdom y'all! All of this is very helpful to us!

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment

AnAmericanGirl

That is really good. Thanks a lot for sharing. So, do you have any suggestions for someone who doesn't have hardly any room for a hope chest (not a very big one anyway)???

God bless
Love,
Hannah

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Jul. 10, 2009 - prayer

PennyRaine

what a wonderful post, as you place each item in, probably over and over, pray for your future marriage and home that the Lord would fill it with peace and love :)

I would also add a journal, that you start now, and add those prayers there too

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Jul. 12, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Thank you for the ideas! I have a hope chest and I am still trying to think of things to put in there...I really need to get out my creative side, and hopefully persue some sewing projects that I will be able to add in my hope chest. :)

Blessings!

~ Kira
http://themissionofachristian.wordpress.com/

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About Me
My name is Hannah, but I am also known as Missy Lou. I am a 13yo homeschool high school student. I love the Lord with all my heart and hope you will see Him in me. I am the oldest of 5 kids and love my family very much!
However, I am not a perfect person. Jesus Christ is my role model and I strive to please Him only. I truly hope you are blessed by your visit here. It is my prayer that this blog glorifies the Lord in every way.
I enjoy sewing, crocheting, cooking, baking, and looking after my 2yo brothers. They have made such a difference in my life! They are constantly teaching me many things! My sisters and Mama are my best friends. Although I didn't always think mamas and sisters were to be best friends.

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