Small Souvenirs, Lasting Memories

Years ago, promotional items like these were a common way for businesses to advertise. Restaurants, bars, and other local establishments often gave customers free ashtrays, matchbooks, and calendars featuring their name and logo.

As a kid, I assumed taking an ashtray from a restaurant was stealing. One day, after I slipped one into my pocket, a waitress caught me. Instead of getting me in trouble, she smiled and told me it was perfectly fine—they were meant to be taken as souvenirs. She even encouraged me to keep it as a memento of our visit. That waitress saved me from a much worse fate, because my mom and dad were not happy when they thought I’d stolen it.

When you paid your bill, the cashier might ask if you’d like a free calendar before you left. Matchbooks were usually piled in a bowl next to the cigarette display behind the counter, ready for anyone to take. It seems like just yesterday these little giveaways were everywhere, but as smoking gradually fell out of favor, ashtrays and matchbooks largely disappeared as promotional items. Today, calendars remain one of the few traditional business giveaways that some companies still offer.   

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Pete Lewnes is a founding member of The Laurel History Boys, and a prolific collector of Laurel historical memorabilia from all eras.