Greetings

The gift-store gene runs in our family. My grandmother operated a gift shop, The Wishing Well, out of her  house. I was pretty little at the time, but the sight of drawers full of wrapping paper and shelves filled with Holt Howard angels and pixies makes an impression that lasts a lifetime. My mom worked for several years for our hometown gift-and-office-supply store, where people could walk in with their favorite pen, and my mom, or someone like her, would search tirelessly for the proper refill. From my mother and grandmother I inherited a love of proper stationery, the perfectly wrapped gift, and the occasional well-chosen knick-knack. Finding a box full of never-used greeting cards was a happy event.

Finding this many boxes at one time ... well, it was exhilarating.

I think this sentiment expresses it well.

There were boxes of all-occasion cards, and I would probably feign illness if I thought I could get someone to send me that card with kitties chasing butterflies.

There was a collection of cards to send to a secret pal.

There were cards to have on hand for birthdays and get-well wishes and saying hello.

And there were many Christmas cards. Probably hundreds. All of them unsigned, with envelopes. (And none of them stored in a damp basement - nothing comes into this house without undergoing a rigorous sniff test.)

Since most of these cards are too cute for words, we'll just go with pictures.

Out of all of this wonderfulness, I think these might be my favorites.

A gift store? No, I don't have one. Just a head start on the inventory for one.

 

Comments

[Kim Kenward]

Swoon. Could these images be any more cuter! I'm envious of your darling collection. I've got crafting on the brain right now and all I can see are how those images could be scanned and put into holiday crafting projects. How fun that gift stores run in your genes. Good for you!

[Into Vintage]

I'd shop at your (vintage) gift store any time! To think these all have pre-sniffed envelopes is amazing - so hard to find envelopes that aren't already glued together from storage dampness.

[laurie magpie ethel]

I would have bought that box and did a bit of swooning as well. You just never know what you will find. Exhilarating yes!

[replica handbags]

A good site, I have bookmarked your site yet and I will come back again! You have a greatest site!

[Diane]

Wow what a great collection of Treasures! All in one swoop..gotta love the thrill of the hunt! Hugs~ Diane

[Kathy]

Oh, what a score! I would like to be on your Christams Card list please!

[Hen]

Oh my! These are amazing! I love the green kitty one too, and the last set of Christmas ones in particular. Might we hope for some in your Etsy shop?
Hen x

[julie thompson]

Omg...even the boxes are pretty!

[Diane]

Wow! I'm in Heaven! Thanks for posting.

[Melissa's Antiques]

Way better than my vintage greeting card haul a couple months ago! I only got about 50.

[AntiquesGaloreGal]

I LOVE the greeting cards! My grandparents owned a flower and gift shop. They had a tall narrow chest that held all the greeting cards. To this day, I can't resist buying and collecting them! I sell some, but most remain in my collection! Nothing today compares to the charm of these. Great find!

[Melissa]

Oh my goodness these are so cute! I can imagine your excitement when you found that box! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Patty]

The cards brought back wonderful memories of receiving them as a kid! I have the cards saved or should I say, stowed away in the attic for safe keeping.

[Mare]

oh my goodness! I love those, the ones now are just not the same!

[Lisa W.]

A wonderful find to be sure ! What fun ! I am also very glad to hear that someone else does the sniff test besides myself. :)

[nanette]

I adore vintage cards. The card thing was a big deal at my house. It was like an occasion when then card table came out and my mom got out the christmas card list and we went to buy christmas stamps down town. Good times.

[chris mckinely]

Aren't vintage cards the best!! Love the graphics!! Lucky find!!

chris

[Renee]

Barbara where might one find those in the house? Just in case I need to check out the graphics for myself. You know maybe do a little sniff test of my own! One of my all time favorite finds are these little boxes. Now they just put them in clear wrappers...yuck. Don't worry I will leave you a few...maybe! Smiles..Renee

[Joy]

The little elves on the Hello one is so stinking cute! love the Santa with the wood stove as well.

[Vicki]

Just imagining the displays in your vintage shop...possible name---Barb Dwire Vintage?