Meaning of a Keepsake

What is the meaning of a Keepsake

Keepsake is a compound word. It is used to refer to an affectional item you keep to remind you of an event or a person. A keepsake is usually a gift. Souvenirs can be referred to as keepsakes because of their remembrance of a memory. In this article, we will explain what the meaning of a keepsake is.

Monetary Value

A keepsake does not necessarily have an intrinsic value. It can be a mere symbol to remember a moment or a beloved person.

That doesn’t mean all keepsakes are cheap. For example, a locket was a typical keepsake some time ago. It was valuable to the person bearing it because inside you could keep a photo of the one you loved. Nevertheless, some lockets were made of precious metals, and therefore had a significant monetary value.

Souvenirs as Keepsakes

In recent times, souvenirs are designed as keepsakes. They resemble a particular place you have visited. Some people use souvenirs as collectible keepsakes to keep track of all the parts they’ve been through.

Besides their affectionate value, the souvenir industry is important. It serves the tourist revenue and ultimately becomes a way of marketing.

The most common Souvenirs

When you talk about souvenirs, the most commonly produced are:

• Bowls
• Fridge magnets
• Hats and caps
• Miniature figures
• Mugs
• Plates
• Postcards
• Spoons
• T-shirts

All these items are personalized with the name of the place. At times, they can also be personalized with your name or the name of the person who will receive the keepsake. Some souvenirs are produced industrially, while others are handmade.

Handmade Souvenirs

To promote the local economy, you should prefer handmade keepsakes. They are also more original and can have a deeper meaning. In some places, you can find traditional objects from local cultures. For example, masks, or the reproduction of small figures of ancient times.

Other common local crafts are made out of natural things, such as stones, shells or seeds. They can be sold as a keepsake only, bottled or adorned somehow. They are also used to create figures and even fantasy jewelry.

Memorabilia as Keepsakes

Memorabilia is another type of keepsake. They are things that resemble a particular occasion. It can be a personal event or a massive one. Historical moments are also feasible to create a memorabilia.

Memorabilia is considered a keepsake because the person creates an emotional attachment to the object for what it represents. It is common that they are well cared and treated as collectible items, with protection as a display case to make sure they are in perfect condition.

Save all these precious keepsakes and memorabilia in a time capsule to open years later and reminisce about what life was like when your baby was born.

The most common events where you can find Memorabilia

You may find memorabilia of any event, from entertainment to sports and culture. Some of the most common items engraved to commemorate an occasion are:

• Clothing items
• Game equipment
• Pins
• Posters
• Publicity photographs

All these are kept by people participating in the event as a valuable keepsakes.

A book as a Keepsake

A gift book can also be considered a keepsake. It was a tradition during the nineteenth century. It is usually a decorated notebook empty at first. It acquires sentimental value as it is filled with information.

The most common things written in a keepsake book are essays, poetry, and even short stories. On this last line of thoughts, they can be fictional or real. Some keepsake books were used as diaries. With the digital era, a book as a keepsake is rarely used.

The book of Keepsakes

Starting in 1828 and until 1857, Charles Heath compiled in the United Kingdom the most important events of the year in an annual book he called the Keepsake. Different companies published it throughout this time in London, including:

• David Bogue
• Hurst, Chance, and Company
• Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown

Some other editions were done in other countries, and published in the main cities like:

• Berlin
• Frankfurt
• Leipzig
• New York
• Paris

Keepsakes as Inspiration for Music

Keepsakes have been inspirational for artists, particularly musicians. Starting from the Keepsake Quartet to the rock band. There are also some songs bearing the word in its name; they resemble the keepsake meaning somehow.

Keepsake the Quartet

As for the quartet, they are from Florida and have released four albums of mainly vocal arrangements with their musical voices. The latest one from 1992 won the International Barbershop Competition. Their albums are:

• The entertainer
• Once upon a time
• Without a song

Keepsake the Rock Band

In 1997, Shane Halpern and Paul Geller created a scream band, directed to an emo audience called Keepsake. They have had many different integrands throughout this time. With two separate labels, they released four albums until 2003:

• The things I would say
• She hums like a radio
• The end of sound
• Black dress in a B movie

Keepsake the Song

There are two songs from different genres that are named keepsake. The first one is from the album called “Keepsakes – A Collection,” by the English band called All About Eve. The album and the song have a nostalgic mood. They were released in 2006.

The Gaslight Anthem rock band also have a song called Keepsake. It is part of their “Handwritten” album and was written by all the members of the band. It resembles a relationship that is over, and how a keepsake recalls him all those past moments of joy. It has a nostalgic as he is remembering and learning how to live alone.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

– Marcie