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Have you ever heard of a Hope Chest?
I have a hope chest full of baby clothes and other items. People think this is strange. I don’t have any children and I’m not sure that I ever will. But in college, I worked at Gymboree in college and I would buy these crazy cheap adorable clothes! They would be the three-seasons-ago type of kids clothes (which if you know anything about Gymboree, you know that their styles basically are repeated every couple of years with slight variations).
Now by crazy cheap, I mean an adorable $160 seude kids coat for $5.00. Or ninety-nine cent shirts. For real. I would raid the back room of the store.
And every now and then I’ll peak into a Gymboree or Baby Gap searching for deals. If I find them, I buy them and add them to the make-shift Hope Chest.
It turns out, when people find this out they think it’s strange. I, on the otherhand, do not.
So what do you think, friends?
I don't have one, but think it's a good idea. If you don't use the items, you can always regift. You can't pass up that good of deals!
I don't think that's strange at all. I didn't have a hope chest, but when I got married my mother in law still had her old hope chest and asked if I wanted it. It was beautiful so I said yes. And since then if I see any really cute baby clothes on sale, I will buy it and store it in there. I don't think it's weird at all.
i love that idea! there is nothing better than a great deal!! you will use it someday!!
I do have a hope chest for my future home, of course, but I've never heard of one for your future child. But, heck, I think it's a great idea! Look at the deals you're getting.
I just might not choose to share the details with those who think it's weird. 🙂
i think it's a great idea!
i have a chest i refer to as a “life chest” full of things from when i was little that i cherish.
i should start buying for my future child, i love kids clothes!!!
my mom used to work at gymboree. she was a district manager and it was when my sis fit in those clothes. she was always the best dressed little kid 😉
i love gymbo clothes, always adorable!!
Not weird!!!!! In fact one day if/when you finally have kids you will be SO happy for all the wonderful clothes you already have!
I have heard of a hope chest, I have never heard of keeping clothes for future children in it though 🙂 We keep linen in ours 🙂 But those are amazing deals and you couldn't pass them up! You could always give them as gifts.
Not weird at all! Alot of us girls from the south have them! I not only had a full hope chest when I got married, but also a full set of china, pots and pans, and full bedding.
Now that may be a little too far. 🙂
Whatever makes you happy girl!! Its fun to plan for things in the future. I suppose I would have considered something like this if I ever thought I would have children, but I never did. It still surprises me most days that I have 5 stepchildren.
This post just made me smile 🙂 I don't find this strange at all! There's been lots of times when I've seen adorable kids' clothes and have wanted to buy them, but I've always talked myself out of it. I've gone a little crazy in the past when I've bought things for my nieces and nephews, and I just know that I'll be over the top when I have my own little ones. I do have a few things that I wore when I was a baby/kid, and I really wish that Chris' mom had saved some of his clothes, too. I think it's a great idea, and you can bet that when you DO have kids, they'll have the best outfits on the block 🙂
I don't think it;s weird at all, I actually think it's a great idea. When you do have kids, you'll be all set for when they come. Now if you start collecting breast pumps and diapers I might get a little worried…lol 🙂
I dont think it is strange. I do not personally have one, but I have heard of people who do. It is a cute idea, and if it brings joy and a little hope into your life there is nothing wrong with that!
i've recently found myself wanting to purchase adorable children's clothing. do i have children? no. do i want children? at this point, not really.
i think it's cool. you can always use them for gifts and such, even if you don't use them yourself.
I have a hope chest aka rubbermaid tub. The only baby clothes in there were worn by me, but I have a lot of “married people” stuff in it as well.
Never heard of one but I don't see anything strange about it. I guess if you could always donate it if you don't use it, right? Or pass it down?
As someone who loves sales, I totally get it. I will say though, if you opt against the whole having a child thing, I expect you to share some of the wealth, lol.
Hope you had a good weekend!
I do not think it's strange at all and was thinking about starting one of my own, although I didn't know there was a name for it. Anyway, my hubby kinda thinks it's crazy since we're not expecting, but sometimes you find the best deals on the cutest things…so why not?!
I'm always buying things for my future “real” home like crystal and china and things like that, so I don't think it's weird at all for you to buy baby clothes. Maybe once I've satisfied all of my home wishes then I'll move on to baby clothes, too!
i don't think it's strange!! plus even if you don't have children you gave give the clothes to your friends kids as gifts
The only reason I thought it was strange was because you had been so verbal about not wanting children. So when I found out you had a bunch of kids' clothes it was kinda funny.
you worked for gymboree??? i know the ceo.
i think it's rad that you have a hope chest. i love it.
Most definitely not weird. Not at all. =)
I used to have a hope chest to prepare me for when I got married!! But all of my taste have changed and I ended up gettting rid of everything.
I think it's a grand idea! Even if you don't use them, I'm sure they make great last minute gifts!
I've never heard of that, so I've never had one. It's definitely an interesting idea. I bet you've got some really cute stuff in there.
The hope chest is an old-fashioned, Southern sort of thing, and therefore, I think they're fantastic. Not weird at all, but hopeful, adorable, and just think how great it will be to one day dig into it and dress your children??
Not strange at all! Buying a doll to dress up and taking it around town in your car seat and stroller and insisting people talk quietly around it and drafting a will to guarantee someone you trust will always care for it in the event of your untimely death… THAT would be strange.
As it stands right now, you are set for any babies that come along -OR- your own ebay store. Whichever you decide to do first 🙂 Have a great week!
no way jose! i don't think this is strange! i think you are one of the smartest people! i do the same thing, but now my budget is so tight that i'm really trying to reign in the “hope chest” purchases.
🙂 sigh.