18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Sunday, May 4, 1913: Went to Sunday School this afternoon. Although it is over a week since commencement, I received a present today. Making eighteen in all.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Hmm. . . What present did Grandma receive? . .
It probably was a small gift from her Sunday School teacher or another church member. . . maybe something handmade.
Grandma previously mentioned getting a hat pin, a handkerchief, a $2 bill, and a dress.
The November, 1913 issue of Ladies Home Journal suggested a few small gifts that could be made for 25¢ to $1. The magazine probably was thinking about Christmas when they published the article, but many of the gifts would have been equally appropriate as graduation gifts.
Sheryl, I really enjoy the pictures you research and add to your posts! My mom let me have one of my grandmother’s old purses – so charming!
Blessings ~ Wendy
The old purse sounds like a wonderful memento of your grandmother. I also find some of the old purses to be really delightful.
She did receive a lot of presents! I love the gift ideas you came across for 1913, I’m so old-fashioned in my taste and would love any one of those as a gift, even now. 🙂
I must be old-fashioned, too–because I’d also love to receive any of these as a gift.
Gosh, I am not that old ! but I do remember making a draw string bag at sewing class at school. And I am delighted to see the book cover. I was remembering these the other day and thinking how practical they were. I couldn’t find one when I wanted one for my great grandmother’s Bible a few years back but I suppose one could find them on Etsy these days.
I remember having a lovely draw string bag when I was a child that a great-aunt made for me.
They would make lovely gifts even today.
Fascinating post again! Really lovely to see the beautiful old-fashioned gifts. I would love to have received any one of them!
So would I.
Examples of those gift suggestions are in antique shops today! Sure wish Grandma had elaborated on what gift she received…
I love to explore antique shops and flea markets. Sometimes I find amazing examples of things from days gone by.
I had a drawstring bag when I was a girl, it was not as fancy as the one in your photo. I also love all the research you do for your posts.
Thanks for the nice note. I have a lot of fun doing the research for the posts–and it’s always wonderful to hear when others appreciate it.
Totally cute sewing bag, I’d use that everyday. The basics yesterday are the heirlooms today.
It is a nice sewing bag! I’ve also thought that it could be re-purposed as a large purse that could hold a laptop or Ipad.
I love that you research more into what your grandmother may have been referring to in her diary.
Thanks for the kind comment. I have a lot of fun pulling the posts together.
so very interesting. As someone who *almost* lost a bag/purse today, I was very interested in this post! I also always think of my grandmother(s) when reading your blog.
I read the story of how you almost lost your purse on your blog. Thank goodness it was returned to you. There are some really wonderful people.
There are indeed! Thank goodness…
18 gifts in all – I would think that was quite a few for this time. I liked seeing the ideas from LHJ.
I tried to remember how many gifts I received when I graduated from high school. It’s been too many years to remember. . . but I think that it was quite a bit less than 18.
Beautiful, nostalgic, generous, so thoughtful. Perfect for mother’s day post. God bless my friend.
I’m glad you enjoyed the diary. Thanks for taking a moment to write the nice note.
Being that your Grandmother couldn’t wait to finish school I’d say the pretty drawstring purse and hairbow would have made her very happy. The book cover, maybe or maybe not.
My thought, too. Now that she was finished with school, I wasn’t sure how much she’d appreciate a book cover.
I wouldn’t mind receiving any of those gifts today!
Eighteen? Wow! Wonder what all the other stuff was?