Nothing says femininity quite like a charm bracelet dangling off the wrist of a young girl. A charm bracelet is a simple chain link bracelet with links large enough on which to attach the charms. Charms are small decorative pendants made in a variety of shapes, colors and designs, often signifying a special event or relationship. Charms might include, but are not limited to jewels, miniature animals, signs such as hearts or stars, tiny photo frames, initials of the wearer and her friends, or special engraved charms from loved ones. A charm bracelet can hold charms of all types, representing gifts, friendships, or special occasions.

The history of charm bracelets goes back to ancient times when charms were worn to please the gods, to ward off evil spirits, or to gain entry into the afterlife. During the middle ages, charms were worn by knights to signify rank and family origin. Queen Victoria is responsible for giving charms the decorative and stylish purpose they bear today. Her bracelets showed the world that a charm bracelet could be worn for fashion rather than superstition.

At the end of the Second World War, soldiers returned from foreign lands with charms for their wives and sweethearts at home. This trend carried into the 1950s when charm bracelets became the number one gift request for girls and women, on which they wore charms to represent important milestones in their lives. Since the 1950s, as fashions have evolved, the charm bracelet has risen and fallen in popularity, but in the past decade, charms have become popular once again.

A charm bracelet can be worn as casual jewelry or for formal occasions, depending on the style of the bracelet. They can be worn by anyone but are especially popular with pre-teen and teen-aged girls. Friends enjoy wearing matching charms or charms split in half with each friend wearing a half, to signify the close friendship. Girls might wear the initials of a special boyfriend or have his picture in a tiny charm frame. A charm bracelet might have all matching charms or charms that are all similar, such as state flags, tiny furniture, people, sports insignia, pets, or travel remembrances. Conversely, charm bracelets may have all differing charms of various shapes and sizes.

Charms are wonderful gifts for the owner of a charm bracelet. Charms can be giving to acknowledge milestones such as a birthday, Christmas, graduation, prom, wedding, or giving birth to a baby. When in doubt about what type of charm to give your special someone, consider giving her a new charm bracelet to begin collecting a second set of charms.