As requested - a photo of my crystal necklace
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339930)
Rockingham, Australia
February 22, 2020 5:59pm CST
I was born in 1946 and it was usual in my area for a child to receive their first watch around the age of 12 or 13; maybe when they entered high school. This was a symbolic gift in a way, a sign of the child entering a transition period before adulthood. Watches were expensive then and not two-a-penny as they are now. They were to be treasured and admired.
Another important milestone was turning 21 years of age, and there would usually be some sort of celebration at this time. Later, 18 became the ‘age of adulthood’. For my 21st birthday, we hired the local country hall and around 60 relatives and friends gathered for a dance. I received some very lovely gifts. My parents gave me a crystal necklace which I wore in Kathmandu at the Hindu wedding we attended recently.
Several myLotters expressed a wish to see the necklace so here it is.
Did you receive any ‘rite of passage’ type gifts when you were growing up?
40 people like this
41 responses
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
23 Feb 20
i've shared already before about the jewelry set from mother and the 2 watches from father. i had a debut party at home (age 18), just family and classmates.
10 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
23 Feb 20
@sunrisefan it was just a simple birthday party at home. we dressed up, ate, talked, laughed, danced in the living room. no ceremonies like 18 candles, etc.
3 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
23 Feb 20
You are lucky to have a debut in your time; not that I’m thinking you’re old but because the debut practice came about only in the last 2 decades if I remember it right.
4 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
23 Feb 20
@hereandthere Still you were lucky and privileged to have such a celebration.
4 people like this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
23 Feb 20
Thank you for sharing the picture of your necklace. When I was young, it was also 21 that the girl would be considered an adult with a debut party. But now it is 18 as well maybe because so many are getting married before reaching age 21
.
7 people like this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
23 Feb 20
@JudyEv same here. I have noticed that when the social media came to fore, the tradition has changed drastically. Girls would even post the pregnancy test result and marriage is not in the picture anymore.
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
24 Feb 20
@Alexandoy some of the reasons i've read is because they want their child to be the ring-bearer or flower girl at their wedding.
some opt for civil wedding because it's cheaper and takes less preparation.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (41424)
• United States
23 Feb 20
That's lovely! I know you treasure it. My parents gave me a pearl ring when I graduated from the 8th grade.
6 people like this
@1creekgirl (41424)
• United States
23 Feb 20
@JudyEv They are treasures that no money can buy.
4 people like this
@YrNemo (20255)
•
23 Feb 20
When I was 4 YO, I was given a pair of real gold earrings as well as a necklace with a cross . But within days, a scammer (a neighbor who came from a family of scammers) "helped" me "putting them away" in my schoolbag for me, in case I got lost. My mother got angry with that neighbor, but she learned to never entrusted me with any valuable things again. (I was a very biddable child .)7 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
23 Feb 20
but 4 is too young to give real/authentic jewelry
5 people like this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 20
@hereandthere I think so too, really.
4 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
23 Feb 20
It is a lovely necklace. I started younger than you. I got a silver glass (Maybe not the right word, a "timbale" in French) for my birth, stolen in 2016 by burglars, and 1 month later for my baptism a gold chain and medal. I lost this one in a swimming pool when I was 10 or 11, and my mother was not happy
.
.5 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
23 Feb 20
What a delicate crystal necklace ! Over here we have coming-of-age ceremony .In ancient times,there were capping ceremony for 20 years old boy and hair-pinning ceremony for 15 years old girl.
5 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 20
Your necklace is very beautiful Judy! I'm glad you've taken such great care of it over the years. I received a very nice and expensive watch on my 18th birthday. No big party or celebration though, just a small family gathering on my 18th birthday.
4 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
24 Feb 20
and how did you celebrate your 21st, jeff?
i agree. my nephew is on his 3rd job already (in 3 different industries). i think he only stayed 1.5 to 2 years in each job.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Feb 20
@JudyEv Gold watches are still popular gifts for those retiring from particular jobs. At least for those people who stay at the same company for decades. It seems these days people bounce around from job to job and career to career, so I'm not sure if gold watches will still be a thing in the near future.
3 people like this
@lookatdesktop (27134)
• Dallas, Texas
23 Feb 20
I was given a microscope at age 7 and at age 11 a telescope. My parents were kind and generous.
4 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
24 Feb 20
those are good gifts if a child likes science
3 people like this
@lookatdesktop (27134)
• Dallas, Texas
24 Feb 20
@hereandthere , I appreciated those gifts, and spent hours with them.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
23 Feb 20
Oh my gosh Judy, that crystal necklace is so beautiful! When I graduated from high school(age-17), my parents had a home celebration for me. I received some lovely gifts, one of them was a sterling silver broach from my favorite Aunt:) My uncle gave me a used car, which made me very happy! (photo:above)
6 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
23 Feb 20
@JudyEv I was so happy, like I had just won the lottery!
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
23 Feb 20
At thirteen I got my first watch. And a Bible. At eighteen I was out of the house to college. At 21 I was already married. I love the crystal necklace, though.
4 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
23 Feb 20
I did not receive anything like this..it is lovely Judy. Only the Catholic gifts you know Communion and Confirmation and Baptism so on. Mostly rosaries or religious jewelry
4 people like this
@almostoveryou (4778)
• Philippines
24 Feb 20
That's a lovely crystal necklace. I've inherited a jade ring from my mom. I wear it only on certain occasions.
4 people like this
