Tag: Graduation Gifts

Graduation Time!

Published on by Isabella AldenLeave a comment

It’s that time of year, when students “commence” higher studies or the business of life. It’s the season for graduation ceremonies, when young men and women—as well as their parents—attend closing exercises of the school year, exchange cards of congratulations and bestow graduation gifts.

Illustration of a young woman wearing a dress from about 1910. It has a high embroidered collar that covers her neck. The sleeves are long and embroidered, as is the bodice. A ribbon circles her waist. The skirt is floor-length and lightly pleated. It is adorned with rosettes and ribbons at the hips. Two rows of ribbon embroidery circle the skirt near the hem. In one hand she holds a rolled-up diploma tied with a ribbon. In her other hand she holds a bouquet of roses tied with wide ribbons.

It was the same way in Isabella’s day. Being an educated woman, and having been a teacher herself, Isabella knew that graduation was a significant milestone in a young life. The characters she wrote about in her novels worked hard for their education, and they had good reason to celebrate their achievements.

Black and white illustration of a young woman in dress from 1912 seated in a chair. In her lap she holds a rolled diploma tied with a ribbon. Beside her is a large vase filled with roses. SILBERBERG. TEXAS & MESA. "The mere thought of buying a diamond should suggest Silberberg's." GIFTS FOR THE GIRL GRADUATES. The early approach of Commencement, not only in El Paso but adjacent towns, causes us to direct special attention to suitable gifts for the girl graduates. We have the largest collection of jewelry and other items suitable for gifts ever assembled in the Southwest.
From The El Paso Herald, April 27, 1912.

Just as we do today, it was the fashion in the late 1800s and early 1900s to give graduates a gift of some kind to mark the occasion.

Black and white illustration of three young women. All are dressed in clothing from 1904, with high necklines, long, full sleeves, and floor-length skirts. One stands in the foreground, holding a piece of paper. Behind her is a waist-high trellis of roses. Behind the trellis stand the other two girls, one of whom is holding a piece of paper. In front of them on the floor is a large vase filled with roses.
Girl graduations, from The Kansas City Star, May 8, 1904.

Acceptable gifts came in many forms. Boys and young men received neckties, gloves, fountain pens, and pocket watches.

Illustration of a pocket watch case. Above the winding stem is "14K." AS GRADUATION TIME APPROACHES - very naturally you will begin to look around for the BEST gift store. Now, the selling of Graduation Gifts is, and has long been made a specialty of by this Pfeifer Store. We have endeavored to find out what will most please a graduate, and from our personal observations we believe that many have a preferance [sic] for Watches. The following special values, therefore, will certainly be of interest at this time. FOR THE GIRL. Bracelet Watch, 7-jewel nickel movement; guaranteed. 14K solid gold, richly hand-engraved watch, Elgin movement. 14K solid gold, plain case watch, set with sparkling diamond; Elgin movement. FOR THE BOY. Elgin Watch, 15-jewel, 20-year guaranteed gold filled case. 14K solid gold watch, fitted with 15-jewel nick Elgin movement. Howard Watch, 17-jewel movement in 25-year guaranteed Elgin Howard case. ALBERT PFEIFER & BRO JEWELERS
From the Daily Arkansas Gazette, May 16, 1914

Young women received watches, too; but instead of pocket watches, bracelet watches were in style, like the ones mentioned in this 1914 ad:

Drawing of head and shoulders of four young women. WATCHES FOR THE GRADUATES. The very popular watch gift is here in a great variety of models, and at a big prince [sic] range. The gift of a "Stifft" Watch insures years of continued, satisfactory use by the recipient, and is a lasting remembrance of the all-important event - graduation. [List:] Pretty Sterling Silver Bracelet Watches; good timekeepers. Sterling Silver Braclet Watches; blue enamel inlaid. Gold Filled Bracelet Watches; guaranteed movement. Solid Gold Bracelet Watches; fine guaranteed movement. WATCHES FOR BOYS. Elgin 7-Jewel Thing Model, 20-year gold filled case. Elgin 15-Jewel Thin Model, 20-year gold filled case. "Gruen Verithin" Watches, 25-year gold filled case.
From the Daily Arkansas Gazette, May 16, 1914

Stores carried a variety of gifts for the graduate, from handkerchiefs and gloves, to hosiery and stationery.

HER MOTHER IS PROUD OF HER. HER FATHER IS PROUD OF HER. THE CITY IS PROUD OF HER. THE WHOLE WORLD IS PROUD OF THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE. Graduate Gift Suggestions. Kayser French Kids, Kayser Silk Gloves, Kayser Silk Hose, Handkerchiefs, Fancy Parasols
From The Independent Record, May 24, 1914.

Stores also offered plenty of gift ideas that featured the latest in 1912 technology. The ad below mentions Kodak cameras and field glasses (binoculars) as desirable gifts for men and boys.

GRADUATION GIFTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. One of the events of a life-time comes with the ending of the school or college term. Its importance is being generally recognized int he giving of gifts--tokens of regard that are as treasured as the gifts that commemorate any other events of a life-time. Our displays on the First Floor of the Wabash Avenue Building will offer a fund of suggestions at any intended expenditure. GRADUATION GIFTS FOR BOYS. Kodaks, field glasses, watches, coat chains, watch fobs, watch chains, scarf pins, cuff buttons, rings, key rings, military brushes. GRADUATION GIFTS FOR GIRLS. Kodaks, opera glasses, watches, fans, vanity cases, brooches, neck chains, necklaces, mesh bags, silver coin purses, bar pins, lockets, rings, bracelets, sterling silver comb, brush and mirror sets. MARSHALL FIELD & CO.
From the Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, June 5, 1912.

An ad in a 1916 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine suggested the gift of a table lamp, with a floral painted glass shade:

Drawing of a table lamp with bowl-shaded shade. Behind it is a drawing of a sitting room in style of the period. A print-fabric chair with cushions and an ruffled ottoman. On one side of the chair is a table with a similar table lamp and a framed portrait. On the other side is a smaller table with a second framed portrait. A sconce with four candles hangs over the fireplace. On the mantle is a goblet and urn. Behind the chair are more portraits handing on the wall and a sconce with two bulbs. The ad text reads: Handel Lamps. The spirit of the summer boudoir with its light, delicate draperies is reflected in this Handel Lamp. The charming floral design makes is an attractive gift for the June bride or the girl graduate. Handel Lamps, created by expert craftsmen from exclusive designs, are noted for their individuality.
Advertisement in Good Housekeeping magazine, 1916.

Lamps like that could be expenses; they cost anywhere from $15 to $50 each. For more budget-conscious gift-giving, books were always an appropriate option.

Newspaper ad. Header: Gift Books for Graduates. Books always make suitable gifts for graduates. our Book Department has hundreds of desirable volumes ready to be tied in the proper class colors. We mention a few below: Books of Travel at $3.50 Late Fiction by Well-Known Authors; Titles Suitable for Graduates. Friendship Books from 89c to $1.50 The South's highest-class department store. Kaufman-Straus Co.
From The Courier Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), June 21, 1911.

And if your taste didn’t run toward novels, Bibles and prayer books were an excellent choice, especially if the gift giver added a loving, hand-written message of congratulations on the fly leaf or title page.

Drawing of neck and head of a young woman wearing a graduation mortar-board. SEE OUR LINE OF COMMENCEMENT GIFTS. Beautiful, Serviceable, Acceptable. BOOKS. The most complete line of Bibles, Testaments, Prayer Books in the City.
From The Lexington Leader, May 24, 19906

What is the best graduation gift you ever received or gave?