When someone asks you about your most prized possession, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Although some people may think about their houses or their cars, most people's thoughts will immediately turn to things that have no value to anyone but themselves, such as family heirlooms, photographs, old love letters, awards, or a grandmother's quilt. In fact, it seems that the only thing that's more important to us than having our family treasures, is having a safe place to keep them. This may explain the timeless popularity of cedar chests.

As far back as ancient Egypt, wooden chests were used for storing jewels, gold, documents, and other important possessions. For centuries, Europeans, using entire trees, would carve one-piece chests, into which they would place their valuables.

In early America, when cellars were damp, and closets were unheard of, colonists used chests made of cedar for storing blankets, linens, clothes, and whatever little bits of finery they owned. Since chairs were also scarce, the chests doubled as benches. Indeed, these chests were so important to households that, according to the logs of many ships that transported settlers to America, they were often the only possessions that families brought with them. Years later, the same was true of many pioneers who traveled west.

Of course, the cedar chest has also been known as the 'hope chest,' which would traditionally be given to a young woman, who would use it to accumulate linens, blankets, napery, towels, quilts, and other items that she would need to start a household when she got married. Even though that custom has fallen by the wayside (fortunately), cedar chests are still cherished for their beauty, durability, and ability to keep whatever they hold in pristine condition. On top of all of that, a cedar chest is simply a charming piece of furniture that can instantly bring an air of coziness and warmth to any room.

Besides cedar, chests can also be made from pine, oak, mahogany, cherry, walnut, and other types of wood. Cedar is ideal, however, because of its inherent ability to repel insects and resist decay, as well as its distinct, fresh, universally appealing aroma. These qualities make it so desirable that chests that are made from other kinds of wood are frequently lined with cedar. At CedarStore.com, you'll find the finest in hand-crafted, heirloom quality cedar chests, in traditional and contemporary designs.

A cedar chest from CedarStore.com is the ideal way to start a new family tradition. With its rich, radiant lacquered finish, it will retain its beauty, as well as the keepsakes that you entrust to it, for generations to come. A cedar chest will also complement any d'cor beautifully, which makes it an ideal housewarming, birthday, wedding, or holiday gift.

CedarStore.com also has magnificent oak and cherry chests, available in several lustrous shades of stain, and finished brilliantly with double coats of lacquer, for the ultimate in durability. With these choices of wood, available in styles from rustic to elegant, you're sure to find the perfect chest at CedarStore.com. For more information, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.