As a kid, I loved to visit my grandparents’ home in the summers. We would pile in the car, drive 5 hours, and end up in another country. Well, I guess it was still Texas, but it felt like a different place entirely.
Growing up in Dallas, I thought my grandparents lived on a farm in the country. Once I got older, I realized they lived in a city too, their house was just on a much bigger lot than our little postage stamp in Dallas. They had chickens, a garden farm, and even a pond, stocked with fish. Stretching for what seemed like miles behind their back yard was…the woods. Real woods. As in, more than two trees. The gateway to the woods was marked by a huge pine tree, from whose branches hung the longest tree swing you’ve ever seen. It was just a wood plank strung between two ropes thrown over a tree branch, but it may as well have been a catapult into the world beyond.
I don’t remember my grandparents’ house having any toys. Maybe a set of dominoes, but that was it. What they did have though, was a wheelbarrow. And shovels. Who needs toys when you have such wondrous instruments of destruction at your chubby little fingertips?
One year, we dug a hole to China in the chicken coop. Then there was the time my cousins and I brought a tomato worm into the house, and somehow it ended up bouncing off the ceiling fan and disappearing. We were sure we’d be in big trouble for that one, but apparently the worm never resurfaced in the house. (I always imagined it got chopped into tiny pieces by the fan. Probably it was just too small to see.) I lost my brother in the woods. And caught a fish in my long hair while swimming in the pond. (Neither I, nor the fish, was very happy about that.)
Always in the yard, there was my Gran-Gran smiling in his blue coveralls, ready to give us a ride in the wheelbarrow, and Mama-C in the kitchen making banana pudding.
These are the things summers are made of.
My grandmother had a button jar. Probably most of your grandmothers or mothers had button jars too. I think anyone living through the depression, or before, saved buttons. Every item of clothing had multiple uses and usually several owners. When it was beyond saving, the buttons were removed and saved for something else, and the clothing was cut into rags for cleaning and mending. Buttons cost money.
These days, buttons seem to come almost for free. Every shirt you buy has a little plastic pouch attached, with an extra button. What do you do with those buttons? If you’re like me, you throw them in a drawer, knowing that if you lost a button off that shirt, it’s more likely you’d buy a new shirt than hunt down the extra button. (Not to mention hunting down your sewing kit.)
I remember on lazy afternoons turning the button jar over and over in my hands, watching the bits of wood, bone, plastic and metal tumble around inside the glass, like looking into a kaleidoscope. There was so much kinetic energy stored in those buttons. So much possibility. I don’t know if she ever used any of those buttons, but I bet she would no sooner have parted with them than she would have parted with me.
Turns out filling a jar with buttons takes a long time. Maybe a lifetime.
I was organizing some of my craft supplies this morning, and found a few buttons I had bought for a project and never used. With my grandmother in mind, I went and dug up a mason jar and put the buttons inside. Hmm. Five buttons in a jar are not as impressive as I thought they’d be.
So I went to my drawer in the bathroom where I’d been tossing all those packets of replacement buttons. There had to be 30 buttons in there (never once have I actually used one to replace a button). I painstakingly opened each packet and poured the buttons inside one by one, savoring each clink as if it were a coin dropping into a piggy bank.
Still, barely an inch of my jar is filled.
New respect dawns on me as I contemplate how long my grandmother must have saved those buttons. I wonder what happened to them? Probably sold at an estate sale for $1 for the entire jar. I guess I could go down to the thrift store or find an estate sale and buy myself a whole jar of buttons, but where’s the fun in that? I’ll set my jar up proudly in my laundry room, and fill it one by one.
Maybe by the time I’m a grandmother, my jar will be full. Maybe my grand-kids will gaze at it like I once did, wondering what they could do with all those buttons. Probably not. We’ll have too many toys.
That’s it. No toys for my grand-kids. Sorry guys!
Today is the first day of summer vacation for my kids. As I contemplate what we’re going to do with all our time, I’m thinking maybe we should just get out the wheelbarrow and a couple of shovels. Maybe I can find my grandmother’s recipe for banana pudding and teach them how to make it. Or maybe we’ll go in search of a tomato worm to fling into the ceiling fan, for no apparent reason.
Happy summer vacation, everyone. Go make some memories. And save your buttons. You never know when you’ll need them. Either for a shirt, or a kaleidoscope.
Paul Graham says
Hi Meredith. Your button jar certainly brings back memories. My grandmother had two, one for regular buttons to be recycled, the other for brass military buttons. The latter were beautifully embossed and the design would indicate the branch of service and rank. Each had belonged to an ancestor or other relative and on a rainy day she might take one out and tell us a story about the original owner. I haven’t thought of that for years. Thanks for the reminder !
Meredith says
That’s such a wonderful way to preserve family history. It saddens me that we’ve lost the art of passing down family stories, person to person. You probably know more about your ancestors than most people, thanks to your grandmother.
Anita says
My cousins and I used to play with buttons at my grandmother’s house, too. I don’t remember the container she used, but my mother’s old buttons were in a French’s mustard jar–no label, but that distinctive shape identified it as such. I’ve aways felt button jars should have that shape. Maybe I’ll take your lead and gather up all those ‘free buttons’ and put them in a jar. Does mustard come in jars anymore, or just in plastic squeeze bottles?
Meredith says
Hmmm, that sounds like a challenge. I bet I could find you a glass mustard jar in a thrift store somewhere. Just what I need – a good excuse to go thrift shopping!
jacquiegum says
Oh my such memories this post evoked! We spent the better part of our summers on my Grandfather’s farm…there was no grandmother there. But here was plenty to do in the barn ( jumping from the loft into the bales of hay) the pond (fishing) the garden (weeding, though not my favorite). We had no games either, but were busy and happy. No toys!! My grandmother on the maternal side had a huge box of buttons, though. I, like you, thought it wondrous and still do! She gave it to me before she passed and I get it out every now and again. I love it 🙂
Meredith says
That sounds wonderful – I think every kid should spend time on a farm! I’m jealous of you that you have such a treasure box of buttons. 🙂
Home Jobs by MOM (@HomeJobsbyMOM) says
My great grandmother actually collected buttons from all over the world. Expensive ones. When she passed my grandmother framed a lot of them and gave them to family members. They make lovely art pieces.
Meredith says
That’s such a great way to preserve your family’s treasures! You’d hate for all those buttons to go to waste, after your great grandmother worked so hard to collect them. Now they can be enjoyed for generations.
crystalzakrison says
I think that is sweet that she collected those buttons all her life. All my grandparents are passed away but I am a care taker for an 85 year old woman. I love to here her stories from the past. She lived in another generation and it is cool to see the things I learn from her or that are important to her. You got me thinking of what I can collect in my house. lol I hope you have awesome summer vacations this summer! I want to make great memories this summer. Great post. =)
Meredith says
Thanks Crystal! I wish my grandparents were still around because I think I’d listen to their stories differently now, than I did when I was an impatient kid. There are so many things I would ask them about the times they lived in. Have a great, memory-filled, summer!
Tim says
Even the word buttons brings a smile to my face along with a lot of fond memories.
Meredith says
Funny how such a small thing can bring back such great memories!
Christina says
What a sweet story. I too have all those neatly packaged back-up buttons that are now begging to be relocated to a jar.
Meredith says
Thanks! A jar looks so much prettier than a bunch of plastic baggies. 🙂
Laurie S Hurley says
OMG!! I have a button “fish.” It’s a fish-shaped colorful box that I’ve had since I was a little girl, filled with buttons and room for more! I’m saving it for my older daughter – in fact it’s in my will. Morbid, I know, but it’s a keepsake for her one day!
Meredith says
I know it sounds morbid, but these things get lost in the shuffle if you don’t spell them out. She’ll be glad you took time to make sure your memories are kept safe.
Susan Cooper/findingourwaynow.com says
This brings back so many memories for me. When we were very young we spent time on my Grandfather’s farm running around and getting in all kinds of trouble. I’ve actually written a number of stories about those times. I don’t remember if my grandmother had a buttons box or not. I would suspect she did. The funny thing is, I do. I love some of the things you can do with buttons and have made some fun Christmas decorations out of them. 🙂
Meredith says
Buttons are good for so many projects! It’s funny to me that you can buy bags of assorted buttons at craft stores, when there are already so many in circulation. I think I should be writing stories of my memories too, so they don’t get lost forever. Thanks for the idea!
Sarah Pittard says
I’m a mom and you are right I don’t have any buttons either! Or a jar. Great memories. Have a fun summer.
Meredith says
Thanks Sarah, you too!
Debra Yearwood says
I’m such a huge fan of buttons. I have several button jars that come in a range of colors and I periodically pull them out to incorporate into art work.
Many years ago my husband and I were camping in Vermont and we decided to go on a day trip where we could poke around in second hand shops and old antique stores. Not far from our camp ground we came across one of those old stores that was simply bursting with goods. Old books, dolls, cups, jewelry and yes, buttons abounded. I felt like I had found a treasure trove. Jar upon jar of old buttons, beautiful colors, gorgeous materials all that wonderful nostalgia and promise and for only $2 a jar…heaven.
Meredith says
That does sound like heaven! Don’t you just love wandering around those stores, thinking of all the history in those pieces? There’s a story behind each button and tea cup.
Catarina Alexon says
Playing with buttons was such fun. My siblings and I used to love it in particular at Aunt Anna’s house. Your story make me think of those fond memories.
Meredith says
I’m so happy to bring you good memories! Thanks for stopping by.
Johanna says
Having a mom and grandma who are sewers and very thrifty (meaning they NEVER threw anything away that might possibly be useful in the future) equals buttons galore! My personal collection is much less impressive–I might have to join you in your button collecting endeavor!
Meredith says
Or you could start dropping hints to your mom that you could use some of hers! 🙂
lenie5860 says
Meredith – you have certainly aged me in one go. I have a button jar which I actually use before buying new buttons. Everytime something wears out I cut off the buttons to add to the jar. The other thing, I have pictures of my two year old granddaughter being wheeled around in a wheelbarrow by me. The only thing I don`t have is the big bosom our grandmothers all seemed to have. Otherwise you described our place and our lifestyle (no tomato worm in the ceiling fan however).
Lenie
Meredith says
Oh dear! I certainly didn’t mean to age you! 🙂 You definitely have earned a special place in my heart for being on the grandmother’s side of the story. Your granddaughter will treasure that picture (and hopefully your buttons) someday.
jbutler1914 says
I haven’t seen a button jar in years. Brings back memories.
Meredith says
I’ve been surprised by how many people have such memories!
Patricia Weber (@patweber) says
I don’t believe any of my grandmothers had this button jar. And I grew up with maternal, paternal and maternal GREAT grandmother. No jar for me either. I do however, save those little packages that often come with some new piece of clothing. I actually love how they sew the extra button into men’s slacks. Now THAT is something I do have plenty of experience with; “Babe, can you replace the button that fell off my slacks today?” Oh yes; you bet.
Thanks Meredith.
Meredith says
See? Everyone has some kind of button experience!
Michelle Dettorre says
I have gotten in the habit of tossing all the extra buttons, because they were everywhere. I love the idea of the jar and building some memories!!
Meredith says
I know what you mean. Buttons, like so many other things, are just clutter, until you collect them and display them in a cute way.
suehines says
What great ideas. I have jars and tins of buttons collected over the years from new outfits. You sparked some great thoughts as to what to do with them all. Thanks!
Meredith says
Thanks! I love the idea of taking something mundane, and making it beautiful or meaningful. Thanks for visiting!
[email protected] says
What a beautiful, beautiful post! I’m going to link to it for a post I just started for a button craft my daughter and I have created. I’ll let you know when (hopefully next week). Your memories were so sweetly detailed. Made me smile at the thought of such loving moments. Thank you for sharing.
Meredith says
Thank you Dana, I love that idea! Can’t wait to see the craft you’re working on…
William Butler says
Hi Meredith,
Thank you for a delightful story. I like how you described the bigger than life memories of childhood and what your button jar means to you. My wife has an old three-tray sewing box and in the bottom is a jar full of buttons of different shapes, sizes and colors.
Kind Regards,
Bill
Meredith says
Thanks Bill! Who knew that humble buttons could become such a metaphor for a life well lived?
tuhinmech says
We too have an age old jar in our house with buttons of all shapes, ages, sizes and colors.. They are a perfect example of UNITY in DIVERSITY..lying in the jar in peace for ages.Lol… In the first picture you have shown a very innovative way to make good use of buttons. It looks so cool.
Meredith says
I like that – Unity in Diversity! Thanks for dropping by!
Jeri Walker-Bickett (@JeriWB) says
When my grandma passed away, I was lucky enough to inherit her button collection. It fills a shallow Tupperware tub like the kind you can store rolls of wrapping paper in. There are so many different varieties of buttons, and I sorted them by color a few years back. Eventually, I intend to glue them to photo frames and give them as gifts to family members.
Meredith says
Wow, I think you win the prize for the most buttons! 🙂
Ilaria says
I still keep my Grandma’s buttons jard, she used to conserve here every additional button she had. Grannies had a lot of respect for the items, they didn’t waste things easily 🙂
Meredith says
Yes, I think they had the right idea. Sometimes I wish we were more careful to conserve things, rather than just dumping them and getting something new. Plus, they take on more special meaning, as they get passed down through generations.