The Gift of a Cedar Chest

Cedar chests were once a traditional gift to give young couples at their wedding, but these days, you don't need a special occasion to give one to a friend or a family member! There is something special about giving or receiving these chests and not only will you be able to give them something useful, you'll also be able to give them a gift that is traditionally associated with good feelings and warmth. Take a moment to consider the delight of a cedar chest.

Whether you are thinking about a wedding, an anniversary, a graduation or even a special Christmas, you'll discover that a cedar chest is a lovely gift. Think about the recipient seeing it placed perfectly in their room or finding it underneath a tree. It makes a terrific going away gift for someone who is leaving home for the first time and it can be a great housewarming present for someone who has just bought their first home.

One great reason to give someone a cedar chest is the aroma. A cedar chest is a piece of furniture that is imbued with the aromatic oils that make it smell lovely, and when you want to give them a chest that will enhance their home both through its beauty and through its scent, a cedar chest is perfect. Moreover, cedar chests come in a lovely reddish sheen, granting them a gentle glow that is different from the effect of pine or maple. If you have any doubts as to the loveliness of a cedar chest, make sure that you find one to check out, whether you find one that is brand new or one that is considered an antique!

Another great reason to get someone a cedar chest is because cedar is considered to be a protective wood. Anything that you pack away in a cedar chest is going to have a better chance of lasting than something that you simply hang up. In our age of compact closets, you may be used to the fact that clothes have to get stretched out or worn at the shoulders; with a chest, you can simply fold it up. On top of that, you will also find that the aromatic oils that are a natural part of the cedar chest will keep pests away from the clothes.

One thing that might concern you is whether a hope chest that you buy for a loved one is going to need extra care. The truth is that all you need to do is to occasionally dust the chest with a soft cloth. Occasional applications of paste wax can prevent cracking and if you keep the chest in a steady temperature, you'll discover that a cedar chest can become a real antique!

Take some time and consider what a delightful gift a cedar chest can be; chances are good that you know someone who will love it!

Tips for Choosing Bedroom Furniture

Most people take bedroom furniture for granted. For them, the only important thing would be the bed and that’s basically it. It’s not that simple, though, in reality. This is because there are lots of things involved in purchasing furniture in the bedroom. It’s simply a bed or a cabinet and you’re done. There is of course the importance of a theme, an overall aesthetic value, ergonomics, and the list goes on. Here are certain things you must keep in mind when preparing to furnish your bedroom:

Have a theme in mind – When buying bedroom furniture, think of what theme you would like to have in your room. Would you desire a more traditional look (with the use of furniture made of hardwood) or would you like a more modern look (one with eco-friendly furniture). Additionally, you can even mix and match to incorporate the themes you have in mind.

Think of what you need – Of course, you need a bed. What about a cabinet? A cedar storage chest? A computer desk? Some drawers or even a dresser? You should all have these in mind so that when you purchase, you won’t miss out on anything else. This will also come in handy when it’s time to give the dimensions that you require to fit your room.

Cost – Money of course, does not grow on trees. It is important that you prioritize what type of bedroom furniture you’d spend the most on. Most people spend more on their beds and on their bedroom dressers. These are the essentials for them. Find out the essentials for you and spend more money on them.

These are some things that you must keep in mind when furnishing your bed room. Remember that these will last for a long time and making the correct choices early would definitely be advantageous.

A Short History of Hope Chests

Hope chests are often thought to have originated in different countries around Europe, where they were a customary step between courtship and marriage: there is the French trousseau, the Italian cassone, the Dutch kast and the German schrank. The practice of keeping hope chests as marriage preparations carried on to European settlers in America, therefore bringing this tradition across the ocean to what would become the US shores.

Hope chests, traditionally, are chests where a young woman would store lots of clothes and linens in, as a sort of preparation for married life. Giving a young lady a gift of one was an important coming of age ritual for some countries.

These chests were also sometimes called cedar chests due to the fact that they were usually lined with cedar along the inside, a measure that was undertaken in order to repel moths which often ate at the items made of cloth kept inside. This was of utmost importance, as almost all of the items inside these chests were made of cloth: dresses, towels, bed sheets, quilts and all manner of cloths that were to be used around the house were stored there.

Though not required, most cedar chests had intricate designs on them, possibly to emphasize their importance as part of courtship traditions of the time. Different decorations for these pieces of furniture included: carvings into the wood, painted designs, and even the now lost art of sulfur inlay along the surface of the chest.

Nowadays, cedar chests are used to store all sorts of things, not just cloth. The durability and convenience of these chests is something that almost anybody, whether that person is a woman about to get married or not. Also, if made from good quality wood, these chests can literally be passed from generation to generation.

How a Hope Chest Can Play a Vital Role in your Child’s Bedroom

Most children nowadays take for granted the storage space that they have. They are used to having plastic cabinets or containers to put their unused toys in once they are done with it. It is unfortunate that they did not get to experience having a hope chest created from solid hardwood in their room. Also called a cedar chest, this type of furniture is usually kept in a little girl’s room and it contains special dowry items like dresses, linens and the like.

However, it is not merely for that purpose anymore. A hope chest can also be used by little boys too if one is in their bedroom. Special and collectible items can also be stored inside here like baseball cards and old athletic equipment. Other important things can also be stored in order that the child will not forget. This is important because once the child grows up, he or she can always open this chest and reminisce about times he may have already forgotten. This is helpful in ensuring that the child will not forget how he/she was when he/she was young. These items in the cedar chest will ensure that most great memories will not be forgotten and will be forever stored.

This of course brings us to the additional advantages of a hope chest. A chest like this is durable, beautiful, and sturdy. It can even double as a bench if placed in front of a child’s bed. A cedar chest may also be very plain or be filled with designs. To be more personalized, a child can write on it with paint as he/she grows older to serve as a reminder. It would be excellent if one day, once the child-owner grows up, he/she will bring this with him with his new family and pass it on. It’s a memory that’s difficult to erase.