Gifts for a Visiting Grand Lodge Officer and the "Purple" Visit

In a lot of jurisdictions, Grand Lodge officers wear purple where a subordinate Lodge’s own officers wear blue, which is where the phrase “purple” as shorthand for a Grand Lodge officer comes from. This is a widespread custom, not a universal rule. Some Grand Lodges use different colors or none at all, so confirm it against your own jurisdiction before you repeat it as fact. Either way, an official visit from the Grand Master, a Deputy, a District Deputy, or another Grand Lodge officer is a bigger occasion than an ordinary visitation, and the gift customarily reflects that.

Why the budget moves up

This is not a personal birthday gift. It is usually a Lodge gift, often paid from Lodge funds or collected among the officers, marking an official visit rather than a friendship. The $75–$200 range is where that distinction shows up: nicer regalia, real jewelry, something with actual presence rather than a pocket token.

A coin or pin is still appropriate as the small courtesy alongside the larger gift. See gifts for visiting Brethren for that half of it. This page covers what goes with it.

What actually lands

A quality apron, if the officer’s own has seen hard travel. Grand Lodge officers visit constantly and their regalia shows it. Stay well inside the apron guide’s territory: this is not the place for an emblem he has not earned, but a well-made Craft apron, presented with the Lodge’s compliments, is squarely appropriate at this budget.

A jewel or medal appropriate to his office, if your Lodge knows his specific title. The wrong jewel is worse than no jewel, so confirm the office before you buy. See the Lodge Supplies category.

A quality ring, if the visit is significant enough and the Lodge has his size in advance. Otherwise a ring given without sizing becomes a ring that sits in a drawer. Read the ring guide before committing to this one; sizing is exactly where gift rings go wrong.

Fine cufflinks or a jewelry set, from the jewelry category: the safest choice at this budget precisely because it needs no sizing and carries no entitlement question.

A framed presentation piece, a certificate, plaque, or engraved item marking the visit and the date, from Lodge Supplies. Costs less than jewelry and is often kept longer.

What to confirm before you spend this much

• His actual office and title. “Grand Lodge officer” covers a wide range of positions, and titles vary by jurisdiction. Ask the Secretary or check the Grand Lodge’s own roster rather than guess.
• Whether the Grand Lodge itself has a policy on gifts to its officers. Some do, precisely to keep visits from turning into a gift competition between Lodges. A quick call to the District Deputy’s office avoids an awkward return.
• That nothing offered implies rank he does not hold. The same rule that runs through every page on this site, see the gift guide’s three rules, applies with more force here, not less, because a Grand Lodge officer is the person most likely to notice an emblem that is wrong.

If you only remember one thing

Confirm his exact office before you spend $75 or more on anything that names it. Everything else on this page is secondary to getting that one detail right.

Browse: aprons and regalia · rings · jewelry · Lodge supplies · $50–$100 · $100 and up