Day 153 of 365 - A Different Kind of Hope Chest
I never owned a Hope Chest as a bride to be. It was not a custom in my family. I only read about them in magazines. To me, it was a romantic sounding notion, almost a promise of a successful marriage if you had all your basic linens and tableware to start your years of wedded bliss.
Once married, and especially once I had children, my desires for various purchases for myself were deferred, put off till later for the most part. I received many nice household items for gifts on birthdays and at Christmas.
We always have hopes and dreams though, in any stage of life. So, we can still create our own hope chest in a different way. It does not need to be a big cedar lined chest. It can be any kind of container you like, as long as it is appealing to you. The main thing is that it is JUST for you.
Perhaps you have a creative project which is ongoing, or something you would like to start. Your hope chest could contain supplies for that, which change on a seasonal basis if you like. If you are a gardener, you might like to start purchasing packets of seed and a new set of gardening gloves. For me, since I take singing classes on an ongoing basis, I could collect sheet music for new songs I'd like to try. It does not need to be terribly expensive or elaborate.
Another kind of personal treat that is available nowadays is a monthly subscription box. I had heard people talk about them as gifts for others. Apparently there is a wide range of options available online. You just choose one and your recipient receives a package every month.
Not long ago, I decided to treat myself with a subscription box of my own. Every month I receive by mail a colorfully decorated box full of surprises. For example, the most recent box contained a box of blooming tea, a bamboo insulated mug and a crystal cube with a laser engraving. Each month is a different set of treats. I can pause and restart my subscription whenever I wish.
This feels like a lavish gift to myself, even though the cost is reasonable. The idea is to get used to treating myself on a regular basis instead of 'someday'. Some of the items I choose to use for myself and others I have set aside as possible gifts for others.
An added bonus is that the company supports a charity for clean drinking water for children. A part of each purchase is donated to that project.
Meanwhile, my heart lifts a little each time I receive my special gift box at my door. It's early enough in the process that I'm still ambivalent about it at times. But really, why not treat myself? I'm turning 65 this year and I think I deserve it.
Think about how you could treat yourself in small ways on a regular basis. Now is as good a time as any. And, it will boost your sense of vitality to have something special to anticipate each month.
Once married, and especially once I had children, my desires for various purchases for myself were deferred, put off till later for the most part. I received many nice household items for gifts on birthdays and at Christmas.
We always have hopes and dreams though, in any stage of life. So, we can still create our own hope chest in a different way. It does not need to be a big cedar lined chest. It can be any kind of container you like, as long as it is appealing to you. The main thing is that it is JUST for you.
Perhaps you have a creative project which is ongoing, or something you would like to start. Your hope chest could contain supplies for that, which change on a seasonal basis if you like. If you are a gardener, you might like to start purchasing packets of seed and a new set of gardening gloves. For me, since I take singing classes on an ongoing basis, I could collect sheet music for new songs I'd like to try. It does not need to be terribly expensive or elaborate.
Another kind of personal treat that is available nowadays is a monthly subscription box. I had heard people talk about them as gifts for others. Apparently there is a wide range of options available online. You just choose one and your recipient receives a package every month.
Not long ago, I decided to treat myself with a subscription box of my own. Every month I receive by mail a colorfully decorated box full of surprises. For example, the most recent box contained a box of blooming tea, a bamboo insulated mug and a crystal cube with a laser engraving. Each month is a different set of treats. I can pause and restart my subscription whenever I wish.
This feels like a lavish gift to myself, even though the cost is reasonable. The idea is to get used to treating myself on a regular basis instead of 'someday'. Some of the items I choose to use for myself and others I have set aside as possible gifts for others.
An added bonus is that the company supports a charity for clean drinking water for children. A part of each purchase is donated to that project.
Meanwhile, my heart lifts a little each time I receive my special gift box at my door. It's early enough in the process that I'm still ambivalent about it at times. But really, why not treat myself? I'm turning 65 this year and I think I deserve it.
Think about how you could treat yourself in small ways on a regular basis. Now is as good a time as any. And, it will boost your sense of vitality to have something special to anticipate each month.
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