Piggy Banks

Piggy banks have been around a long time. If you visit your local museum, chances are you may see antique piggy banks on display. Some of them were quite elaborate.

The classic piggy bank that comes to mind is the pink piggy bank for children that was sold in so many of the five and dime stores in the past. These banks could be used to teach children the value of saving. A lesson was to be learned in the accumulation of small amounts that would turn into larger amounts.

Although the classic ceramic piggy bank has been around for many years some people still used a canning jar. This is how the concept of a piggy bank started. In the eighteenth century people put their spare change in jars created from a substance called pyyg. Somehow we came about to the piggy bank from there.

At one point a Anchor Hocking glass piggy bank was the rage. It is nice to have a glass one because you can see your money accumulate. Of course plastic piggy banks are safer for the little ones. Aside from the safety issue a plastic piggy bank is easier to sneak change out of.

Huge ceramic piggy banks large enough for a small child to sit on are available at some craft markets. Some of them may have to be broken to remove the change so look it over carefully if you intend it to be family heirloom. If you do purchase one be certain that you put it where it will stay. When they get over half full they can become very heavy depending on the size of the bank. The weight is one of the drawbacks of purchasing large piggy banks.

If you are purchasing a piggy bank as a gift it may be difficult to decide between personalized piggy banks, plastic piggy banks, or a monkey piggy bank. Yes a monkey piggy bank. Banks aren’t just for piggys any more, monkeys, elephants, dogs, cats and cars have elbowed their way into the competition. You should be able to purchase a piggy bank in any size, shape, color or medium that you desire.

A fun thing to do is to have a personalized piggy bank. Do remember if it has the person’s name on it they will have to keep it forever. Re-gifting is out of the question. If you absolutely love piggy banks, piggy bank clip art is available so you can personalize your letter head and stationary with it.