More than a simple purse, mom’s bag was a magical survival kit. It could tackle any situation. It had snacks, wardrobe malfunctions, and bandaids for scrapes. Today we revisit the bag of mom, the MacGyver of our childhood.
Table of Contents
1. Safety Pins
If a fallen hem was your concern, or a broken bra strap, mom always came prepared. A small sewing kit was always in there, and a safety pin could save your school or church wardrobe disaster.
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2. Kleenex
As for runny noses or ice cream spills, these tissues could do the job. But mom’s magic could also repurpose which wiped faces or made band-aids.
3. Hard Candy
Doctor appointments and church services were always better with these. Hundreds of little lollies sat in the bottom of mom’s purse, ready to save any child marching for a sweet.
4. Band-Aids
Mom’s band-aids made you better. A kiss made her magic even more powerful. No cut was too big. With the right size band aid, anything could heal.
5. Bobby Pins
These tools were also for taming hair that was wild and for flyaway hairs that sneaky escaped hairdos. Mom could get them out anywhere and do a quick emergency hair fix for anyone. These also worked for fixing loose buttons, stuck zippers, or other small mechanical issues.
6. Comb and Mirror
Every mom had at least one small folding mirror and one tiny comb to keep in her purse. The mirror helped check for any food in teeth or any other disheveled hair before something important.
7. Aspirin
An adult-sized aspirin would be in reach for headaches, fever, or anything that caused soreness. There were no child-proof containers back then, so they were just wrapped in a tissue or provided in a small little metal container. Mom always knew exactly how many to give it out.
8. Change Purse
The little snap-top coin purse would hold enough coins for phone calls, vending machines, or buying from the ice cream truck. The sound of coins jingling inside combined with the snap was something every child knew. Mom always counted the right change without looking.
9. Lipstick
Most lipsticks of that time had a red shade. They could also be used for emergency “blush” for pale kids or to cover up small scuff marks on patent leather shoes. The opening of the tube was a distinctive sound that people knew meant mom was getting ready for something very important.
10. Handkerchief
An embroidered handkerchief would be the perfect tool to wipe away tears, clean faces, or wrap small treasures. These were not just any disposable tissues, but proper cloth handkerchiefs that had exquisite lace trimming.
11. Nail File
A metal nail file or emery board was helpful for snags, broken nails, or even a splinter rough edges on scraped knees or filing down sharp edges on toys. Mom would use it like a professional manicurist.
12. Mints
Mom had some sort of breath mint on her. It was always important before visiting family, and especially after eating garlic bread. The rattling of the container was a common and recognizable sound.
13. Shopping List
She carried a small notepad and stub of pencil to keep track of things she needed, and other random thoughts to record. These lists often included a secret code only she could read. The back of the notebook usually had old phone numbers and important dates.
14. Gum
The gum was usually Wrigley’s Spearmint or Doublemint and was kept for special occasions only, or as a reward for good behavior. Mom would break each stick in half to make it last longer and kids could keep entertained by making little origami shapes out of the foil wrappers.
15. Hair Elastics
Several hair elastics were always on hand for impromptu ponytails or braids. These weren’t the fancy covered ones we have now – they were simple rubber bands, often collected from newspaper deliveries. Mom could do a hairdo anywhere.
16. Paper Napkins
A small stack of napkins from restaurants, neatly folded and tucked into a side pocket. These came in handy for everything from spills to makeshift plates for impromptu snacks. Mom would add to her collection at every restaurant visit.
