by Linda R.
Member since:
August 14, 2006

Does Anyone Remember Birthday Corsages?

October 19, 2006 09:06 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 21

When I was in high school, we used to make birthday corsages for our friends on their birthdays.  I remember the dog biscuits for age 14 and the sugar cubes for age 16.  I think we used lifesavers for age seventeen – Does anyone remember the other details or how to make the corsages.  I know that we started with a large bow (like the kind used on presents) and some lengths of ribbon.

Comments: 21

Kathy S. Oct 19, 2006, 9:11am UTC
This sounds like a really sweet thing for friends to do for each other. I wonder if it is a regional thing, though. I grew up in Arkansas and have never heard of it.
Janet B. Oct 19, 2006, 9:11am UTC
I had never heard of that either. Sounds like a cute idea.
Lisa W. Oct 19, 2006, 9:22am UTC
That sounds cute, I'd never heard of this either. Why did you use dog biscuits for 14?

When I was in high school girls would often decorate each other's lockers for birthdays. Sometimes girls would buy big helium balloon bouquets which the birthday girl would be forced to carry around (I always thought this was a little embarrassing).
Michelle W. Oct 19, 2006, 9:24am UTC
I grew up in St. Petersburg, FL and never heard of that. The only thing that I can come up with on this old tradition is as follows:

Back in the 50s, it
was the custom to receive a particular corsage for each
birthday.
10th birthday - lollipops
11th birthday - gum drops
12th birthday - tootsie rolls
13th birthday - bubble gum
14th birthday - dog biscuits
15th birthday - life savers
16th birthday - sugar cubes
17th birthday - lemon drops
18th birthday - cigarettes

I think the dog biscuits were because a 14 year old
was assumed to be in the throes of puppy love. And
an 18 year old was now old enough to smoke. This was
the 50s remember.

I found it at http://www.fiftiesweb.net/dcforum/DCForumID1/516.html
Kathy McMurray Oct 14, 2012, 3:16am UTC
I made the corsages for both my girls for their birthdays from Kindergarten to their 21th birthday. my youngest is turning 22 and still in school and wants a corsage this year as well. I couldn't remember what went with what birthday so I let them pick out what candy to use.
I did the dog biscuits but used chocolate chip cookies.
Sue * Oct 19, 2006, 9:25am UTC
I've never heard of this. I do remember that my dad used to always get me a corsage for Easter...and it looked like a bunny face with pipe cleaners for whiskers!
Linda R. Oct 19, 2006, 9:28am UTC
Thanks for the information and the link Michelle. I was thinking of doing something like this for my grand daughters next year.
Mary R Oct 19, 2006, 9:32am UTC
Well Michelle what if a person doesn't smoke just because they are 18. this sounds like a great idea though I have heard of it but never seen it done. Couldn't you exchange the cigarettes for something more practical, lol
But nice idea.I like that
Linda R. Oct 19, 2006, 9:36am UTC
I think everyone smoked in the 50's Mary. It was like a rite of passage. If the tradition of corsages were revived we'd have to thik of something more relevant to current times.
courtney m. Oct 19, 2006, 9:47am UTC
yeah, we didn't do this, but we always decorated the lockers and did announcements ove rthe intercom after morning prayers!
William M. Oct 19, 2006, 10:20am UTC
I don't believe we had that here.
Debra H. Oct 19, 2006, 10:50am UTC
Never heard of it either but it's a neat idea. Now when I was a kid you could buy ciggarettes though - I would go buy them for my mom when I was 7 for 29 cents a pack (and that was considered high then)
~~ Sarina ~~ Oct 19, 2006, 10:54am UTC
I recall the sweet 16 corsage, never had one though. I guess I was a little on the bitter side.
Linda R. Oct 19, 2006, 10:55am UTC
I moved from New York to North Carolina when I was 15, Debra. At that time cigartettes were about 33 cents a pack in New York. But they were only 19 cents in North Carolina
Stephanie A. (On vacation) Oct 19, 2006, 10:55am UTC
I have never heard of it, but if sounds like it would be fun. My dad use to spank on us the bottom and shove us under the bed on our birthday. You got a spank for each year. :-) It was an odd family tradition. I had forgotten about it until I read your article. My son has a birthday next month maybe I will try it out on him. ;-)
Susan *. Oct 19, 2006, 10:58am UTC
I don't remember these...I guess my hometown wasn't "into" them...although they are a cute idea a definite change from some of the ways kids celebrate today
Linda R. Oct 19, 2006, 10:58am UTC
I think you're sweet Sarina.

I've heard of birthday spankings Stephanie, but I've never heard of being shoved under the bed.
Stephanie A. (On vacation) Oct 19, 2006, 11:17am UTC
I wish we could edit our comments. My comment should read spank us on the bottom.
I never got a birthday corsage, I "DID" get the spankings, though, from friends and family alike and by the end of the day, it was REALLY hard to sit down! LOL
Marsha B. Oct 19, 2006, 2:39pm UTC
Never did that. Having been born and raised in Hawaii, though, we got leis for our birthdays regularly.
I don't remember these, I remember making cards out of construction paper and having everyone sign the darn thing.

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