When I was a little girl, we made a Valentine box each year in school. They were usually made from a shoebox, decorated with wrapping paper or foil and trimmed with accents like ribbon, doilies, and sequins. On Valentine's Day, we would collect Valentines from our school friends in the box.
I remember shopping for Valentines. Sometimes they came in a cellophane wrapped package. Sometimes they were in a punch-out book. I would spend time looking at the cards and deciding which Valentines to send to different friends.
I still love Valentines today. I collect vintage dachshund Valentines, and also sell vintage Valentines in my online shop, Birdhouse Books. I really enjoy hunting for the cards and then listing them. Here are a few 1960's vintage Valentines for your enjoyment. These are all little die-cut cards for children.
I would love to hear your childhood Valentine memories in the comments, below. Do you remember making Valentine boxes for school? What type of cards did you enjoy giving and receiving?
Do you remember conversation hearts candy? I always loved this as a little girl. I can still remember the sweet, slightly chalky taste, and the pretty pastel colors. Each of these candy hearts has a short message, like "Be Mine" or "Kiss Me." This candy was invented in 1847 by Oliver R. Chase. These candy lozenges were originally unmarked. Oliver Chase's brother, Daniel, began putting sayings on the candy hearts in 1866. Sweethearts, the most popular conversation hearts, are made by Necco (New England Confectionery Company). More than 8 billion candy hearts are made by this company yearly.
In 2010, Sweethearts were modernized with mottos like "email me" and "tweet me." They also went all natural. However, the all natural candy didn't taste the same, and the company announced in 2011 that they were going back to the original recipe.
Sweethearts now come in many varieties, including Dazzled, En Espanol, Sugar Free, and Chocolate.
Unfortunately, this candy isn't vegetarian (it contains gelatin), so I haven't had it in many years! If anyone knows of another brand that is in fact vegetarian, I would love to hear from you.
Do you remember these cute conversation hearts from childhood? What were your favorite sayings?
Do you have a favorite love song? My favorite changes from time to time, but I always seem to come back to "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney. Paul McCartney wrote this song for his wife Linda just before the Beatles broke up. It's such an empassioned love song about how love can make you stronger and can fill you with a sense of wonder: "Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you Maybe I'm amazed at the the way you pulled me out of time And hung me on a line Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you" There were several versions of this song over the 1970's. The original was released as a music video in the U.K. in 1970. It is all music and photos of the McCartney family, and it is beautiful. Paul McCartney did not want to release "Maybe I'm Amazed" as a single, although it appeared on his McCartney album (1970) and also Wings Over America (1976). The single was released in 1977. Paul McCartney has said that this is the song he wants to be remembered for. Here is the original video. I hope you enjoy!
Valentines, Valentines, and more Valentines at my store this week! I am having lots of fun going through vintage cards to list. I will continue with the Valentine listings next week as well. You will find all my Valentines -- as well as vintage children's books and more -- at Birdhouse Books.
This groovy 1960's vintage Valentine features an adorable Basset Hound.
This vintage Valentine postcard is Whitney Made, and features a little boy and girl holding hands.
This vintage Valentine postcard shows a sweet little boy and girl sitting together in an arm chair.
A boy and girl flirt shyly on this 1920's vintage Valentine postcard.
This 1908 vintage Valentine postcard features two cherubs and a big red heart.
A cute little girl stands in front of a bank on this vintage Valentine.
A child dressed as a clown in a circus plays with two Jack Russell Terrier dogs on this vintage Valentine.
A little boy in a clown costume juggles a ball on this mechanical vintage Valentine.
A little girl rides a see saw with her dog on this mechanical 1920's vintage Valentine.
A little boy wants to protect his love from wolves on this Valentine - 1920's vintage.
This 1950's vintage Valentine features a little boy bowling.
A shoeshine boy polishes a girl's shoes on this 1950's vintage Valentine by A-Meri-Card.
An adorable dressed girl terrier dog talks on the phone on this 1950's A-Meri-Card vintage Valentine.
A sweet little girl stands under a pink umbrella on this vintage Valentine. "Showers of Love!"
A little stuffed toy cat is decorated with flocking and glitter on this vintage Valentine.
More cuteness waits at Birdhouse Books - I hope you'll stop by!
