Traditionally, a hope chest was a wooden chest that girls filled with various home necessities, such as blankets, silverware, and dishes, as they made or collected them so they would be prepared to start their own household when they got married and moved out of their parent's house. While many modern American families still utilize some form of traditional hope chest, times have changed.

Both men and women are getting married later, around ages 27–29 as opposed to the early twenties, which means that both men and women may move out of their parents' houses and have to create their own household before they get married. Additionally, since more things are now considered necessary in a home, from electronics to kitchenware, it is unlikely that you will fit the necessities in a single box. Here's how you can use a small storage unit to make the ultimate hope chest for your child. 

Store Important Keepsakes 

You should set aside one or two boxes to fill with important keepsakes from your child's life. These can include things like their first drawing from preschool, a trophy from a competition they won, or a small photo book. These items can be fun for them to look through when they empty the storage unit and can make their new house feel more like their home sooner. However, do not use too much space on keepsakes. Only keep items that have a large emotional significance and that your child may want to display in their future home. 

Follow a High Standard of What You Will Keep 

You may be tempted to keep everything that is in decent condition with the thought that your grown child will use it someday. However, to maximize your storage space you should only keep high-quality items that are in good condition. For example, instead of keeping all of their baby clothes, you might only keep a few of the more expensive designer outfits and donate or consign the rest of the clothing and toys so they can be used by other families. 

Get Your Child Involved 

Because these items will eventually be used in your child's home, it is important to let them express their opinion on what they want. You might have your child pick out a china or silverware pattern at a young age so you can purchase small amounts of the set each year. Similarly, teens may be able to select a basic furniture design that they will want in their home once they move out. However, be sure to encourage your child to think about the future rather than selecting items they want to use at the moment. 

Create a Plan for What Your Child's Household Will Need 

Instead of buying items randomly, you should start with a detailed plan for what your child's home will need when they grow up and move out. For example, you might list certain pots and pans or tools that a starter home should have. This way, you can wait for items to go on sale and slowly check them off throughout your child's younger years. 

Only Purchase Timeless Items 

Perhaps you are tempted to purchase a big-screen television on sale and store it for your child's future home. However, keep in mind that things like electronics and technology are constantly being updated. A good television now may not compare to what is available 5–10 years from now. For this reason, limit your list to timeless items such as home goods and furniture. 

Creating a large "hope chest" for your child can help them get started once they move out of your home. It can reduce their expenses and help you know that your child has everything they need to take care of themselves. Contact a representative from a facility like North Star Mini Storage to learn about rates and other storage information.