| your princess. And whether she's eight or 18, you | | | | Murano glass beads, and precious and |
| may have noticed your daughter is growing up | | | | semi-precious stones. When combined together, |
| way too fast. Just yesterday, she was the | | | | the charm bracelet creates a ring of beauty |
| chubby baby who provided hours of fun and | | | | around your daughter's wrist, reminding her of the |
| sleepless nights. Today, she's still providing the | | | | love and support surrounding her life. |
| laughs and plenty of sleepless nights as your | | | | Occasions for Giving a Charm Bracelet |
| daughter grows into a young woman. You may | | | | There are a variety of special occasions in which |
| obsess about whom her friends are, how well | | | | to present your daughter with a charm bracelet. |
| she's doing in school, and what course she'll take in | | | | Here are just a few inspired ideas: |
| life. She may be your princess forever, but she's | | | | Birthdays |
| not a baby anymore. | | | | Obviously, birthdays are the perfect opportunity |
| Perhaps you want to show your daughter that | | | | to celebrate your daughter's day with a charm |
| you recognize she's growing up. Maybe you're | | | | bracelet. Why not place it in a new jewelry box |
| searching for a way to express pride and support | | | | to replace the one she's had since she was little? |
| for the person she's becoming. Many parents look | | | | Mark her entrance into the teen years with a |
| to jewelry in such situations. There's nothing more | | | | colorful bracelet that can be added to as the |
| exciting for a girl or young woman than to | | | | years go by. A charm bracelet for her "Sweet |
| receive a special piece of jewelry from her | | | | 16" or 18th birthday can include a special, more |
| parents, and nothing represents that token of | | | | expensive charm to represent the priceless |
| love and sentiment quite like a charm bracelet. | | | | treasure she represents to the family. Include |
| The Charm Bracelet Comes of Age | | | | grandparents or aunts and uncles in the gift giving |
| For centuries, charms were considered a kind of | | | | as well, allowing them to choose a special charm |
| talisman to ward off evil or to bring about good | | | | to mark the occasion. |
| luck. Using wood, stones and gems, the wearers | | | | Bat Mitzvah or Quinceanera |
| of such charms carried them in a special bag or | | | | Various cultures celebrate the coming-of-age for a |
| around their neck or wrist. In the 20th century, | | | | young woman with special celebrations such as |
| World War II servicemen purchased trinkets for | | | | the Bat Mitzvah (the Jewish celebration for girls of |
| their sweethearts back at home. These charms | | | | 12 years of age) or the Quinceanera (Latin |
| were fashioned after landmarks such as the Eiffel | | | | American celebration for girls of 15 years of age). |
| Tower to represent the liberation of cities like | | | | In the South, young women and their families |
| Paris. Over the decade, charm bracelets then | | | | often participate in cotillion, or "coming out" party |
| evolved into a coming-of-age symbol for girls | | | | to polite society. These, as well as other |
| turning 13. Nearly every middle class family | | | | coming-of-age markers, are an ideal occasion to |
| presented their daughters with a charm bracelet | | | | present your daughter with a charm bracelet. |
| on her 13th birthday. Bracelets charms were | | | | Graduation |
| chosen to represent the young woman's interest | | | | Graduation from high school or college is another |
| and hobbies. Later, she added a charm for her | | | | perfect occasion for the giving of a charm |
| "Sweet 16th" or wedding. | | | | bracelet to your daughter. Choose bracelets |
| Today's charm bracelets come in a range of | | | | charms to remind her how much she means to |
| styles and designs. Some prefer the traditional | | | | you and how proud you are of her |
| charm bracelet in sterling silver or gold with | | | | accomplishments. Charms can be added as she |
| bracelets charms that dangle from the wrist. The | | | | reaches new milestones in her life. |
| Italian charm bracelet has been a popular form of | | | | The First Job or Marriage |
| jewelry worn by many young women. Rather | | | | Now that she's really grown up, a charm bracelet |
| than dangling, these bracelets charms snap into | | | | is a tasteful and beautiful gift to give the daughter |
| place along a modular bracelet. | | | | who has landed her first big new job or is |
| Perhaps most popular are the Danish-inspired | | | | preparing for marriage. Host a special brunch or |
| charm bracelets featuring sterling silver and gold | | | | dinner in her honor and surprise her with the gift. |
| chains as well as bracelets charms. Designed to | | | | It will be a wonderful reminder to her as she |
| express individual style and taste, the bracelet's | | | | launches into her new career. Include other family |
| threaded sections allow bracelets charms to be | | | | members, especially prior to a wedding. Imagine |
| added or changed, depending on the wearer's | | | | her joy as she wears her charm bracelet down |
| preference. They twist and rotate slightly with the | | | | the aisle, decorated with charms that her family |
| wrist's movement. Bracelets can also be | | | | has lovingly and carefully chosen. |
| decorated with enameled bracelets charms, | | | | |