Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for GIFT returned 122 results.
CIGARS FOR BIRTH
IT IS A QUITE COMMON CUSTOM FOR A FATHER TO HAND OUT CIGARS TO HIS
FRIENDS AFTER HIS FIRST CHILD HAS BEEN BORN.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-22-1968
FUNERAL CUSTOMS
IN OLD TIMES, THE IRISH FUNERAL-WAKE TRADITION WAS TO PROVIDE
100 CLAY PIPES, 100 POUNDS OF TOBACCO, AND 100 BOTTLES OF WHISKEY
FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE WAS SPOKEN OF BY HIS FATHER, WHO WAS BORN IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 |
Date learned: 03-00-1980
IN YUGOSLAVIA IT IS A CUSTOM FOR A CHILD TO BRING A CANDY BAR TO
THE HOUSE IN WHICH HE VISITS.
Where learned: YUGOSLAVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001960S
AT WEDDINGS, THE BRIDE GETS TO KEEP ALL THE BILLS (MONEY) THAT
IS PINNED ON HER DRESS BY THE MEN THAT DANCE WITH HER.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS WHILE IN GERMANY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
WE CELEBRATE ST. NICHOLAS DAY EVERY DECEMBER 6. A SMALL GIFT,
SUCH AS A PEN, CANDY BAR, OR NOTE PAD IS PLACED AT EACH CHILDS'
PLATE BEFORE DINNER. THIS ORIGINATED IN GERMANY AND WE HAVE BEEN
PRACTICING IT FOR TEN YEARS.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: CA00001970
WHEN YOU GIVE SOMEONE A SHARP OBJECT, THEY SHOULD GIVE YOU A PENNY
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING IS A VARIATION FROM ONE WE TALKED ABOUT IN CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1980
ON ST. NICHOLAS' DAY (DEC.6) CHILDREN RECEIVED A VISIT FROM ST.
NICHOLAS. HE WAS NEVER SEEN BY THE CHILDREN BUT THEY ALWAYS HEARD A
LOUD BANG AS THE DOOR SLAMMED WHEN HE LEFT.
IF THE CHILDREN HAD BEEN
GOOD DURING THE YEAR, HE THREW IN A BAG CANDY, APPLES, AND ORANGES.
IF THEY WERE BAD, THEY RECEIVED A SWITCH. BEFORE ST. NICHOLAS
ARRIVED THEY WROTE LETTERS TO THE CHRIST CHILD LISTING THREE
THINGS, NEVER MORE, WHICH THEY WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS AND ST. NICHOLAS
PICKED UP THE LETTERS WHEN HE LEFT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLS THE CUSTOM FROM HER OWN CHILDHOOD IN KENOSHA,
WISCONSIN. SAYS IT WAS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE LIVES OF
THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WERE OF GERMAN EXTRACTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 01-16-1964
SUPERSTITION CONCERNING BAD LUCK
IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU SOMETHING SHARP, LIKE A PIN OR KNIFE, YOU
MUST GIVE THEM A PENNY OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM SHE WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
AND GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: NATIONAL BANK OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; MONEY ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions P883.18 |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, ALL THE RELATIVES VISIT. THE KIDS SHOOT OFF
FIRECRACKERS AND EACH CHILD GETS A PRETZEL ON A STICK FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID THIS AS A CHILD IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
A TRUE WAR STORY
WHEN I JOINED THE ARMY IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR WE WERE USHERED IN
AT CAMP DODGE, IOWA. MY INTERVIEWER, A SOUTHERN LIEUTENANT,
DISCOVERED THAT MY FATHER HAD FOUGHT IN THE MICHIGAN CAVALRY IN
THE CIVIL WAR FOR THE NORTH AND THAT MY RELIGION WAS CATHOLIC.
SOUTHERNERS HAVE A TENDENCY TO DISLIKE US CATHOLICS. MONTHS
LATER AS I WAS SHOVELING COAL OFF A TRAIN GONDOLA, A MAJOR STEWART
ASKED ME WHAT I DID IN CIVILIAN LIFE. I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS AN
ACCOUNTANT. THE CAPTAIN HAD ME TRANSFERRED TO HIS OFFICE WHERE
I SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED TO BEGIN WITH. WHILE CHECKING FILES FOR
HIM I FOUND MY ENTERING INTERVIEW. IT SAID "THIS MAN CLAIMS HE WAS
AN ACCOUNTANT BUT NO DOUBT HE IS A FIRST CLASS LIAR. NOT TO BE
TRUSTED, APPEARANCE IS VERY TACKY." AS A BLOND, BLUE-EYED
INDIVIDUAL FROM A GERMAN BACKGROUND THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A HIGHLY
SUBJECTIVE FALSE REPORT RESULTING FROM SOUTHERN PREJUDICES.
IT TOOK A YEAR WHILE IN FRANCE FOR THE REMARKS TO BE DELETED
FROM THE RECORD. THE CAPTAIN STEWART MENTIONED IS THE FAMOUS
JIMMY STEWART'S FATHER WHO WAS IN COMMAND OF MY ENTIRE ARMY
EXPERIENCE. JIMMY STEWART ALSO WROTE TO ME AFTER MY NEPHEW
WROTE TO HIM ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES WITH HIS FATHER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER HAS THE CLEAREST, MOST HONEST BLUE EYES AND IS
ALWAYS GROOMED TO PERFECTION SO THE INTERVIEWER MUST HAVE
REALLY BEEN LIVING IN THE PAST WITH THE BACKWARD PREJUDICES.
Where learned: CAMP DODGE ; IOWA
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B479 |
A ROMANTIC CUSTOM
YOUR GRANDFATHER AND I WERE MARRIED ON WEDNESDAY AND EVERY
WEDNESDAY FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE HE BROUGHT ME A RED ROSE. IT
SYMBOLIZED HIS CONTINUING LOVE FOR ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
SLAVIC NEW YEAR'S TRADITION
ON NEW YEARS MORNING WE WENT DOOR TO DOOR TO THE NEIGHBORS
WITH AN APPLE. ALL THE NEIGHBORS WOULD SHOVE A COIN IN IT
FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BEGGING ; GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 00-00-1941
MAY BASKET DAY
MAY 1ST IS CELEBRATED BY DECORATING LITTLE BOXES
AND TAKING THEM OVER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, YOU MUST
RING THEIR DOORBELL AND RUN HOPING THAT THEY DON'T
CATCH YOU BEFORE YOU MAKE IT TO YOUR CAR, BECAUSE IF
THEY DO THEN THEY GET TO KISS OR PINCH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
CHINESE NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
"THE CHILDREN IN CHINA WILL RECEIVE RED ENVELOPES CONTAINING
MONEY FROM THEIR ELDERS. THIS CUSTOM IS BELIEVED TO BRING GOOD
LUCK TO THE GIVER AS WELL AS A RETURN ON THE AMOUNT GIVEN
PLUS AN INCREASE IN THE FUTURE."
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
SUPERSTITION
NEVER GIVE AWAY YOUR FIRST, LAST, OR WHOLE PACK OF CIGARETTES TO
ANYONE OR YOU MAY BECOME ILL AND BAD LUCK WILL FOLLOW.
CO[ LINDA'S AUNT GAVE HER LAST CIGARETTE TO A FRIEND AND FROM THAT
Submitter comment: LINDA'S AUNT GAVE HER LAST CIGARETTE TO A FRIEND AND FROM THAT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
EVERY YEAR ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR, WE GIVE PRESENTS
TO EACH MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. THIS IS DONE BECAUSE IN GREECE, IT
IS SAINT BASIL'S DAY. SAINT BASIL IS THE GREEK SAINT OF
CHILDREN. HE BRINGS PRESENTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GOOD THE
PREVIOUS YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1972
MRS. MOOR SAYS THAT WHEN YOU GIVE A PURSE TO
SOMEONE OR PUT ONE IN STORAGE YOU SHOULD LEAVE
A PENNY IN IT; OTHERWISE THE PURSE WILL NEVER
HOLD MONEY.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WHITE CITY
Keyword(s): GIFTS, PRESENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001975CA
WHEN SOMEBODY RECEIVES A SNIP OFF A PLANT TO
TRANSPLANT, NEVER SAY "THANK YOU" OR
THE PLANT WILL DIE.
Where learned: MONTANA ; FROMBERG
Keyword(s): GIFT, PRESENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
A TRADITIONAL GIFT GIVEN FOR GOOD LUCK TO A NEW BORN
"BAIRN" WAS FRUIT OR COAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY GIFT
Date learned: 00-00-1935
Prior to 1951, at weddings they used fruitcake for a wedding
cake and wrapped pieces in cellophane, then wrapped in a
a doily. The couple then visited each individual guest and
gave them a piece of cake with a note that said thank you for
sharing in this joyous occasion or something to that effect.
Submitter comment:
The informant did not know if this was still practiced, but at
the last wedding she attended they did not do this.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1951