Young Australians baffled by ‘mysterious’ item in thousands of homes: ‘Gen Z doesn’t get it’

Young Australians are going crazy over a ‘mysterious’ household item they grew up with, but no one knows what it does.

TikTok star Russ recently revealed that his childhood was full of memories of a specific box he never saw in stores.

He shared an image of a carved wooden box – which older Australians later identified as a ‘glory box’.

‘This video is for moms and dads over 50. What the fuck is with this box? ‘ he asked. ‘Where do you buy them? Why do you have them? There’s something going on that we don’t know about.’

‘This box is in every house in my childhood memory. Everyone has it, but no one sells it. I’m confused, everyone’s confused, it’s time we get some answers.”

Russ’ hilarious video left hundreds of people equally astonished by the mysterious item, but a few revealed its true purpose.

The box in the picture was originally sold in the Copperart store and was used as a kind of ‘memory box’.

Parents used to fill the box with items that their children could take with them after they got married and moved, such as bedding and dishes.

Many also used the boxes to store clothing and bedding, as they were believed to be mothproof.

The tradition of a ‘glory box’ extends far beyond Australia and New Zealand, with families in the US calling it a ‘hope box’, and in France a ‘trousseau’.

Australians revealed what else they’ve been using their glory boxes for in the comments.

“My box is filled with my babies’ firsts: hospital bracelets, cords, congratulations cards, teeth, locks of hair,” said one mother.

“Mom keeps her sweaters in there and they always smell a certain nostalgic scent,” said another.

“I got one in the early 80s to store everything I might need when I moved out,” one revealed.

A fourth wrote: ‘I’m 25 and had the glory box handed to me through the women in my family but I’m not married, I’ve just left home.’