Grandma's got a brand-new bag
Full disclosure here: Contrary to the post title, this grandma doesn't really have a brand-new bag. What I do have is an old bag filled with new fun to share with Bubby when I visit him next week.
Here's the deal: Soon after Megan first had Bubby, one little girl in her class regaled Megan with tales of her visiting grandma. A primary reason for the girl's excitement, Megan learned, was the special bag Grandma brought along every time she visited her grandchildren. The bag was filled with all kinds of goodies for the grandchildren to use and share and enjoy during the visit, but the fun was always packed up with Grandma to take home with her, keeping it fresh and exciting for the kids each time.
It sounded like a wonderful idea back when Megan told me, and now that Bubby has reached the age where he'd be delighted by such a thing, I'm copying the idea.
I've gathered together some goodies for the inaugural toting of my very own Gramma's bag to the desert, and here are the nine things I have inside it so far:
Disney movies. It'll take years and years before Bubby is caught up on the wonders of Walt Disney movies, but this time we'll likely fit in at least one, chosen from Wall-E, Robots and Monsters, Inc.
Picture books. I have piles of picture books to review, and a visit with Bubby is the perfect time to try them out on their intended audience.
A Hatch-N-Grow dinosaur egg. I'm willing to bet Bubby will no longer be afraid of the hatching egg and is ready for hatching his own. I think it'll make a difference for Gramma to be there to get things started ... and to bring along the dinosaur hatched from my practice run.
KIDZ BOP Dance Party video game for the Wii. This, too, is a review item I recently received. Considering Bubby's love for the KIDZ BOP CD -- and Megan and Preston's wish for some active games for their new Wii -- I'm thinking this will be the highlight of the bag.
"Mini Disco Set." Along with the dance party game above, I received a rotating mirror ball, LED light and three neon glow-in-the-dark party sticks to really set the dance party vibe. This grandma can't wait to get the party started!
The Original Squirmles. Okay, I still gotta figure out how to make these darn things squirm, but the young man at Bed, Bath and Beyond said they're all the rage with the kids nowadays.
A "Find-It" container. Hidden within a tube filled with beads are shells, nails, Bobby pins, pennys and more that Bubby and I will do our darndest to find all 47 on the list.
An Elmo flash drive for toddlers. Another review item, this nifty little USB drive is already loaded with a "Best of Elmo" video, with space left for me to add photos or videos for Bubby to enjoy anytime Megan will let him plug it in to a USB port on the computer. I'll teach my favorite toddler in the world how to plug it in -- or how to wear it on his wrist when not in use.
Caramel Apple Taffy. THIS is my favorite holiday candy, taffy that is available only for a short time (at least where I live) beginning around Halloween. I figure it can't hurt to share some of Gramma's favorite candy with her favorite grandson.
There's still a week before takeoff, so who knows what may be added. My plan is to keep the bag filled with these items and more so Bubby eagerly anticipates the opening of Gramma's bag during each visit, just as Megan's former student did with her grandma's bag.
Of course, I'm already thinking I may have to relax my rules just a tad and leave an item or two with Bubby when I head home. No sense having the fun (and Elmo flash drive) wasting away, unused in a bag in the closet for months, when a little boy (and his parents) could be enjoying it. Right?
Besides, leaving an item or two will give me more space to add something new to Gramma's bag -- just in time for the Thanksgiving visit!
Today's question:
What do you remember about your grandmother's or mother's bag or purse?
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Reader Comments (15)
I don't remember much about my grandmas' bags. We usually went to visit them. My mom's purse always seemed to weigh a ton, and it seemed she had everything you ever possibly need. And lipstick. Mom never left the house without lipstick.
Granny never had a "purse", she called it a "pocket book" and had a little change purse in it without much money, tissues and lipstick, always, and a little bottle of perfume.
I think your bag (a "visiting" bag) should be remembered fondly by your "Bubby",
Both of my grandma's didn't come to our home much...we always went to their homes. All I can remember is that both of them didn't have big purses or bags. They had a change purse, tissue and lipstick in a small purse. I like your bag idea alot and Bubby is very fortunate to have a Grandma that will come to him!
The visiting bag is a great idea. What I remember of my grandma's bags is (sadly, of course) her little cigarette cases. Usually made of worked leather, the case had a little compartment for a lighter and a snap closure. Even if the habit was deplorable, they were actually quite lovely works of craftsmanship.
My Mom's oldest sister served as my "maw maw", as my grandmother on my Mom's side was deceased before I was born. Maw Maw used to bring her pocketbook when she visited us, and it was so big. She usually pulled out a couple candy bars for us, and a dollar or two before she went home. I mostly remember her rummaging around in her pocketbook for her snuff. Yuck!
I know Bubby will love your grandma bag. That's a great idea. Enjoy!!!
Terri
I LOVED going through my grandmother's purse...there was ALWAYS gum or candy in there! What a fabulous idea...Bubby will love it!
My grandmothers didin't do anything like this, but I have a big pink hatbox that I fill with little goodies for Our Little Princess. It's labeled "Grams Goody Box" and she knows there will always be something in it for her. Sometimes it's a new dress I've made or a movie or book. Sometimes there are multiple items. It keep me from having to remember what I got for her and where I put it.
I'm going to do this!!! My mind is already filling up a bag! I like the hat box idea from Grams too. I think I'll do both!
How fun! So do you just add new stuff as the visits go on or is it the same stuff over and over?
I have to admit that I don't remember any in particular about any of my grandmothers' purses. BUT one of the things my grandmother always used to do for us when we went on road trips was a Pandora's Box. She would fill it with fun stuff like puzzles, coloring books, etc. And the box would stay up front with my mom and dad. Then every so many miles or minutes or whatever, we got to take out something else to keep us busy. We loved it! I know that's not REALLY related but it's the first thing I thought of when I read this post.
I don't think I ever saw my grandmother's purse; in the time I knew her she never left the house. My mother, on the other hand, always had gum and life savers.
What a wonderful idea! Bubby is going to want you to visit EVERY SINGLE DAY just to see what kind of treasures you bring :-)
My grandmas had pocketbooks, too - and we never peeked into them, that I remember - One grandma's pocketbook was the kind with all the zippers/flaps/and various openings - to hold all the cash, change, credit cards, etc. The other grandma carried the bare minimum in her little black purse (totally a "grandma" purse, vintage 1940s) - we could tell, by the weight! Likely she had a tiny little wallet or change purse for her cash (Grandma didn't have credit cards), a handkerchief or some kleenex, and she always had either peppermints or butterscotch hard candies. She might have her rosary if she was going to church, and of course, the purse had enough room for a pair of gloves :-)
I remember how my mother's purse always smelled like her skin lotion. A very nice, clean smell.
When she passed away, I took her purse home with me and zipped it up tight.
Sometimes I unzip it and stick my nose in there and take a big sniff...
That purse still smells like that and makes me feel a little closer to her.
I love that purse.
Best,
gabriele
I remember my grandma's purse had lots of tiny beads sewn in rows. I liked to roll my fingers over them.
That's a great idea for visiting grandmas.
There is no rule that says your title has to be true, but I love the idea of "Gramma's Bag". Yours sounds like it is packed with tons of fun.
My mother's purse always smelled like Juicy Fruit gum, and even now when I have it in my pruse it makes me think of her.