Does anyone remember the birthday corsages that were made in the 50's and 60's? For example, 16 years old, would be made as a candy corsage for 'sweet sixteen'. Each year would have a different theme. If you remember and have the ideas, I would appreciate them.
PJ from Forked River, NJ
By Louise
Below is copied from this website: http://www.tagate.com/horoscope/page/birthday.shtml
Another tradition enjoyed by girls that was popularized in the 1950s and 60s, is that of receiving a special corsage (or several) that was decorated with candy or another inexpensive item that corresponded to your age. The items were priced within reach of one's peer group and all light enough so they could fasten easily to curly ribbon and be worn throughout the school day without problem.
By B
By Marjorie
I remember using pipe cleaners to secure the candy. I would like to make one for a 7 year old but don't know which candy to use. I was thinking of gummy worms.
I was remembering these and trying to describe them to my daughter. They were so much fun and a wonderful memory for me.
I lived in West Islip, Long Island in the late 50's and the list posted here is exactly the one that we used. Some girls would get to school on the day of her birthday and 5 or 6 or even more of her friends would have made her coursages. They were often heavy too because of the candy.
I was just trying to explain these to my granddaughter and my search brought me here. Thanks for posting. Wonderful memories.
I remember during the late 60's my father would always buy me a corsage for my birthday and I would wear it to school so proud. It was a way of telling everyone, "Today is my birthday!" Oh what good memories this brings back to me! I remember that my corsages had little bees and others had butterflies with a lot of ribbon, and of cause the candy tied up with pipe cleaners. I was born in New York but I no longer live there. I wish this fashion would come back. Lets make it come back and make corsages for our granddaughters.
I loved these corsages. I was just telling my cousins about them the other night. Some of my cousins were raised upstate and not in Queens like I was. They thought I was joking. Was this a tradition for all of New York or just some areas? At least now I can tell them what each of the corsages stood for. I remember that the more you received from your friends, and wore, the more popular you were.
Has anybody found out where to buy these corsages? What was the candy for a 7 year old? I used to buy them for my daughter and sister. Let's bring this back, I think the kids would love it.
I went to high school in Port Jefferson, graduating in 1964 and every girl looked forward to these age specific candy corsages on her birthday! And yes, getting 3 or more got very heavy!! in addition to all the books we carried!!
Gumy worns might prompt too early an interest in "Gummie Chewie type candies, and other types of gummie-based chewy candie like sweeteners some of which are later laced or infixed with mood alternating calming herbs and scents and the like--and can even have a cannabis pinch to it, to tout pain relief tor a variety of ailments which have not been fully vetted as to their specific effectiveness for any stated malady. Just a thought.
I liked the lifesaver corsage themes--they were easy to make--and often the number of lifesavers used connoted the "wearer's birthday." It was a nice time for the girls. If there was no Winter jacket, the girls would wear them on their wrists, at High Holidays in Church, especially for Easter and yes, for Christmas, often accented in Red, for the occasion, It was a big to do, and a nice touch.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking for a sugar cube corsage. Does anyone have instructions or know if a florist could make one? I would like to get my niece one for her birthday in June. Thanks. Dawn
Type in "making a sugar cube corsage" and ask google about it. There are several answers or firefox has answers. Hope you find what you are looking for.
Check at Michael's Craft Store. They have all sorts of things for making corsages and may have a booklet that tells how to make them. Good luck.
I'm trying to remember what the other items were, one was 16 sugar cubes. I know we made others; one year was dog biscuit. I cannot remember any more. Thanks.
By Judy L.
The 16 cubes of sugar was for a "sweet 16" birthday, we added fresh lemon slices. You can make carnations from tissue paper and pipe cleaners. Roses out of napkins, peony out of coffee filters. Google some craft sites and you'll probably find a lot more.
One popular corsage for celebrating a Sweet Sixteen birthday is made using sugar cubes attached to hanging ribbons. This is a page about how to make "sweet sixteen" corsages.
