It was a first-aid box in disguise
Part survival kit, part candy shop, part mystery grab bag, her handbag was legendary. Before smartphones and GPS trackers, Grandma’s purse was the original all-in-one utility belt. It smelled like hand lotion and cologne, weighed a ton, and somehow had room for everything you didn’t know you needed until the moment she pulled it out. A rainstorm? She had a plastic hood. Nosebleed? Tissues or a proper cloth hankie. Bored child? Butterscotch candy or a tiny photo viewer. Her purse wasn’t just preparedness, it was love in handbag form. Here’s what was usually inside:
1. Plastic Rain Hood
Tucked into a tiny square of folded vinyl, the plastic rain hood was Grandma’s trusty secret weapon against sudden showers. Unlike today’s umbrellas that bend in the wind or get left behind, her hood was always on hand and ready to snap into place. It was usually translucent with little floral patterns along the edge, a practical mix of modesty and style. She could whip it out at the first hint of drizzle, protecting her carefully set hair from even a few drops of rain. For many grandkids, the ritual of watching her unfold, snap on, and tie the hood under her chin was as familiar as the rain itself. Some of these hoods even came free from beauty parlors or drugstores, making them an affordable and indispensable part of her purse. It might not have looked glamorous, but to her it was a lifesaver, and it meant she could leave the house confident that weather would never ruin her day.
2. Travel-Size Tissues or Hankie
Grandma’s purse always carried backup for life’s messes in the form of tissues or a cloth hankie. The tissue packs, often decorated with cheery flowers or bright designs, were soft, compact, and perfect for slipping into even the smallest handbag pocket. If you were lucky, you’d get one when you sneezed in church or scraped your knee at the playground. But many grandmothers still clung to the old-fashioned cloth handkerchief, a soft, neatly pressed square with embroidered edges that got washed and reused. Having both meant she could handle everything from a sudden nosebleed to a grandchild’s melted ice cream cone. For kids, it often came with the added touch of a dab of spit to wipe a smudge off your cheek, no matter how much you squirmed. Whether paper or cloth, those tissues and hankies were her gentle way of showing care in moments big and small.
3. Butterscotch Candies
The butterscotch candies were perhaps the most famous treasure of Grandma’s purse. They were golden-wrapped gems that jingled at the bottom of her handbag, ready to appear when you least expected it. Sweet, buttery, and just a little sticky, these candies seemed like they had no expiration date. If not butterscotch, then peppermint, cinnamon, or those strawberry bon-bons wrapped to look like real berries filled the same role. They weren’t just treats; they were tiny bribes during long waits at the doctor’s office, quiet rewards for sitting still in church, or distractions during boring errands. Sometimes, the wrappers crinkled from years of rolling around in her purse, but no one minded. A candy from Grandma’s bag always seemed to taste better, because it came with the comfort of knowing she had thought ahead to bring them for just the right moment.
4. Gold Compact Mirror
Tucked in alongside her wallet and keys, the gold compact mirror was a small but elegant mainstay. Round, shiny, and often engraved or patterned, it had an old-world glamour that modern makeup bags rarely match. Even if the hinge squeaked or the glass inside bore a tiny crack, it never left her purse. The compact was both practical and personal, a quick way for her to check her lipstick, smooth her hair, or dab at her face. Some even doubled as a tiny powder case, with a puff inside that left behind a faint trace of makeup scent. Watching Grandma snap open her compact felt like a peek into a private ritual, one that spoke of dignity and pride in appearance. Unlike the smartphone selfies of today, her mirror offered a fleeting, unfiltered glimpse and a simple reminder to always put your best self forward.
5. Coral or Rose Lipstick
Perhaps the most unmistakable mark of Grandma’s purse was the lipstick, usually in shades of coral or rose that she had worn for decades. The tube might have been dented or the label long faded, but the lipstick inside was always angled from years of careful use. It was her finishing touch, applied quickly in the car mirror or with her compact before walking into church, the grocery store, or a family dinner. For many, the sight of Grandma pulling out that lipstick meant she was “ready”, poised, polished, and fully herself. The color choices weren’t just cosmetic; they were part of her identity, signaling warmth, confidence, and a touch of glamour. Sometimes she’d even let a curious grandchild swipe it across their lips, leaving a waxy, sweet-smelling reminder of her signature style. The lipstick was more than makeup, it was a piece of her character, always tucked safely in her handbag.
6. Snap-Top Coin Purse
The little snap-top coin purse was one of Grandma’s most recognizable handbag staples. Usually made of leatherette or soft vinyl, it clicked open with a satisfying “pop” and revealed a small world of nickels, dimes, and the occasional lucky penny. Some were simple black, while others came in bright colors or with gold trim, adding a touch of charm. For kids, it was a marvel to watch her thumb press the sides together to reveal the treasure inside. That purse held everything from exact bus fare to the change needed for an ice cream cone. It was practical, but it also carried a sense of ritual, she could always find the right coin, no matter how deep it was buried. In a time before debit cards and tap-to-pay, the coin purse was as essential as her wallet, a tiny pocket of preparedness that rattled with possibilities.
7. Folding Comb or Hair Pick
No matter where she went, Grandma’s hair had to stay just so, which made a folding comb or hair pick a permanent part of her purse. The folding combs were clever little gadgets that snapped shut to stay clean, perfect for quick touch-ups in the car or at a café. Some grandmothers preferred a sturdy hair pick, especially if they wore their hair teased, curled, or carefully set at the beauty parlor. Either way, it was all about maintaining the “helmet” of perfectly arranged hair that defined her look. If you ever asked to borrow it, she’d flip it open with practiced ease and hand it over with a smile, even if you knew her hair came first. These combs weren’t just about grooming, they represented her pride in keeping up appearances, no matter where the day took her.
8. Safety Pins or Portable Mending Kit
Hidden in a tiny pocket or tucked in a zippered pouch, Grandma’s purse nearly always contained safety pins or even a mini sewing kit. These were the quiet heroes of countless wardrobe malfunctions, snapped bra straps, loose buttons, or hems that mysteriously gave way in the middle of an outing. Some kits came in small plastic cases, complete with needles, thread in a rainbow of colors, and even miniature scissors. Others were simply a few pins wrapped in tissue. But either way, she was ready for anything. While most people today might scramble for tape or just hope for the best, Grandma could calmly pull out her emergency fix and save the day. It was part of her practical mindset: expect the unexpected, and never leave the house without the tools to handle it.
9. Cologne Sample or Tiny Perfume Vial
Grandma’s purse often carried a little perfume surprise, a sample vial or miniature bottle that left a trail of fragrance with just a dab. Many of these were freebies from Avon, department stores, or catalog orders, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Scents like rose, lavender, or lilac were favorites, though sometimes the fragrance was bold enough to linger long after she’d left the room. She’d tuck one in her bag for church, shopping trips, or family gatherings, ensuring she always carried a touch of refinement wherever she went. For children, opening her purse sometimes meant catching that sudden floral note that instantly reminded you of her presence. These tiny bottles weren’t just perfume, they were little keepsakes of elegance and femininity, part of the sensory memory that made her purse unforgettable.
10. Wrigley’s Gum
Next to the candies and tissues, Grandma’s purse almost always had a pack of Wrigley’s gum, Spearmint, Juicy Fruit, or Doublemint were the classics. The packs were often slightly bent at the corners from being carried so long, but the sticks inside were still perfectly wrapped in shiny foil and paper. She would peel one out during long waits at the bank, after Sunday service, or while shopping, often tearing it in half to make it last or to share with a grandchild. The act of unwrapping and chewing the gum carried its own kind of ritual, a mix of freshness and comfort. Sometimes the gum would harden over time, but that never stopped it from being enjoyed. It wasn’t just about fresh breath, it was about having a little something to make the day easier, one stick at a time.
11. Tiny Photo Viewer
Among the most magical treasures in Grandma’s purse was the tiny photo viewer, a little plastic gadget that clicked through miniature slides. With a quick hold up to the light, it revealed snapshots of grandkids, cousins, weddings, or even vacations on cruise ships. To children, it felt like a toy; to Grandma, it was a portable gallery of her proudest moments. Unlike today’s phone galleries, these viewers were limited to a handful of slides, making each one precious and worth showing off. She would hand it to you during a quiet moment, letting you peek inside and see yourself frozen in time, smiling back. It was a simple but touching reminder of how much family meant to her, and how she carried her memories everywhere she went.
12. Checkbook
Before debit cards and online banking, Grandma’s padded vinyl checkbook was her financial command center. Always tucked in with a barely-working pen, it was pulled out everywhere from the supermarket checkout to paying the plumber. She’d flip it open with practiced precision, filling in the date, amount, and signature in neat, looping handwriting. Sometimes she even balanced her ledger right on the spot, jotting numbers while the line behind her sighed impatiently. The checkbook cover often came in pastel shades or with floral designs, softening what was essentially a money tool into something uniquely hers. For many grandchildren, watching her write a check felt like a grown-up ritual, almost ceremonial. That checkbook represented responsibility, trust, and a way of doing things with patience and care, qualities that defined her generation.
13. Cigarette Pack Holder
Not every purse had one, but when it did, the cigarette pack holder stood out as a sleek accessory. Often made of silver metal or shiny leather, it kept the pack neat and stylish, sometimes with a matching lighter tucked inside. For many women of Grandma’s era, smoking was as much a social ritual as it was a habit, and the holder gave it an air of sophistication. Whether she used it daily or only at family gatherings, it always seemed to fit snugly alongside the gum, tissues, and coins. Even for those who never smoked, seeing one in her purse was a reminder of a time when these little cases were as common as wallets. Today, they’re more of a relic, but back then, they were part of the mystery and charm of what Grandma carried with her.
Last Thought:
Grandma’s purse was never just a handbag, it was a survival kit, a memory box, and a symbol of her love. From candies that sweetened long waits to tissues that wiped away tears, everything inside had a purpose. Each item told a small story about the way she lived: prepared, thoughtful, and always ready to share. Even now, just remembering the weight of her purse and the treasures inside brings back the warmth of her presence. In the end, her handbag wasn’t only about what it carried, it was about who she was.
This story 13 Things You’d Always Find in Grandma’s Purse was first published on Daily FETCH
