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Most of us are familiar with the traditional hope chest where young girls gathered and stored all the personal and household things they would need when they grew up and got married. In France this is called a girl's trousseau. The word literally means "bundle," and a gal's trousseau would include her Sunday dress, everyday clothes, lingerie, and linens she had embroidered with her new family's initials. In Victorian times, the contents of a lady's trousseau were a sign of class and wealth, and the very wealthy trousseau had thousands of dollars worth of dresses, robes and lace embellishments.

It's an idea that is certainly out of date in this day and age when registries and bridal showers are designed to outfit the couple with things for their house. But a bride certainly needs some new things to suit her new life. Create your own trousseau by getting a pretty box or basket or even a new suitcase. Fill it with a few new outfits, accessories, and household items you can use to pamper yourself during your wedding planning, honeymoon and first year of marriage.