What Every Mom Carried in Her Purse in the ’70s

Let me tell you about the magical Mary Poppins bags our moms carried back in the 1970s! Long before smartphones and hand sanitizer, mom’s purse was a mysterious treasure trove of essentials, emergency supplies, and those little comforts that could save the day. These vinyl or leather shoulder bags weren’t just accessories – they were survival kits that seemed to have everything you could possibly need, and then some. Let’s peek inside and remember what made Mom’s purse so special.

1. Tissue Pack (Usually Puffs or Kleenex)

No mom would be caught dead without a pack of tissues, and usually a few loose ones stuffed in various pockets of her purse. These weren’t just for runny noses – they doubled as napkins, cleaned up small spills, and even worked as emergency toilet paper. The pack was often squished and worn from being at the bottom of the purse, but those tissues were lifesavers!

2. Green Stamps and Coupons

Every savvy ’70s mom had a collection of S&H Green Stamps and carefully clipped coupons. These were organized in a special envelope or small accordion file, ready for unexpected shopping opportunities. The Green Stamps were like gold, saved up for everything from kitchen appliances to toys, while the coupons helped stretch the family budget during those inflationary times.

3. Station Wagon Keys with Novelty Keychain

Those oversized car keys, usually attached to a decorative keychain or a plastic-covered family photo, were essential. The keychain might have been a souvenir from a family vacation or a gift from the kids. No electronic fobs back then – just good old metal keys that made a satisfying jingle in the purse.

4. Roll of Lifesavers or Certs

These weren’t just breath fresheners – they were peace-keepers during long church services or shopping trips. Mom always had a roll of Lifesavers or Certs tucked away, often slightly linty from the bottom of the purse. The Butter Rum flavor was for dad, while kids usually got Wild Cherry or Pep-O-Mint.

5. Plastic Rain Bonnet

Tucked into a tiny plastic case was the ever-present rain bonnet. After spending hours at the beauty parlor getting that perfect hairdo, no mom would risk it getting ruined by unexpected rain. These clear plastic bonnets folded up tiny but could expand to cover even the most elaborate bouffant hairstyle.

6. Avon Lipstick

Every mom had at least one Avon lipstick, usually in a frosted pink or coral shade. These weren’t just for looking good – they were social currency, as many moms either sold Avon or had a friend who did. The tubes often had elaborate designs, and you could always tell an Avon lipstick by its distinctive click when closing.

7. Church Envelope

Whether it was a plain white envelope or the official church collection envelope, this was always ready for Sunday service. Often tucked into a special spot in the wallet section, it contained the weekly donation, carefully prepared and sealed. Some moms even kept an extra empty envelope for unexpected special collections.

8. Band-Aids and Bactine

Every mom’s purse had a few loose Band-Aids (usually slightly linty) and a travel-size bottle of Bactine. These were essential for treating everything from scraped knees to minor cuts and scrapes. The distinctive smell of Bactine was like a signal to kids everywhere that help had arrived.

9. Trading Stamps

Besides Green Stamps, many moms collected other trading stamps from various stores. These were carefully stored in a special envelope, often along with the stamp books they were saving to fill. Every shopping trip was an opportunity to add to the collection, working toward that new toaster or set of dishes.

10. Check Book and Pen

Long before debit cards, the checkbook was a vital tool for shopping. Usually housed in a vinyl cover with a special slot for a pen, the checkbook was Mom’s link to the family finances. That pen was guarded carefully – losing it meant borrowing one at the checkout counter, always a slight embarrassment.

11. Recipe Cards and Shopping List

Folded and tucked into a side pocket were always a few recipe cards shared by friends or clipped from magazines, along with the weekly shopping list. These weren’t just reminders – they were treasure maps to new dinner possibilities. The shopping list was typically written on the back of an envelope, with items added throughout the week as supplies dwindled.

12. Wallet Full of Family Photos

Every mom’s wallet had that accordion-style photo insert filled with school pictures, family snapshots, and maybe a few wallet-sized school portraits to trade with other moms. These photos were like a portable brag book, slightly worn at the edges from frequent sharing. The plastic sleeves might have been cloudy from age, but the proud smiles within were crystal clear.

13. Bottle of Jean Naté or Love’s Baby Soft

A small bottle or atomizer of favorite perfume was a purse essential. Jean Naté, Love’s Baby Soft, or maybe Charlie for the trendier moms – these scents defined the era. The bottles might leak occasionally, giving the purse’s interior that distinctive fragrance that mixed with leather and peppermint Life Savers to create that uniquely “mom’s purse” smell.

14. Emery Board and Nail Polish

No mom would leave home without an emery board and a bottle of clear or pale pink nail polish for emergency repairs. A broken nail was a crisis that needed immediate attention, and these tools saved many a manicure. The nail polish bottle was often half-empty and slightly crusty around the cap, but it still did the job when needed.