Give a Vintage Valentine

Remember how fun it was to exchange Valentine’s when you were younger? For me, I was just as excited to see what the cards looked like as I was to know whom they came from. That is why I love vintage-style Valentine’s. The designs are simple and the verses are silly, but they are just right for saying, “I like you,” whether you are five or 50.

Send them, frame them, recreate them, but just enjoy them. In a stack of cards covered with Hannah Montana and cartoon characters, a Valentine inspired by those from years gone by will be a welcome read.



clockwise from top left:
Vintage Valentine's (Press Out Book) by Golden Books
Valentine's: Vintage Holiday Graphics by Jim Heimann
Custom Message Vintage Valentine from VintageScraps
Sweepingly Cute Valentine from BeMyVintageValentine
Leopard Valentine at 7deadlysinners
Boxer Valentine at 7deadlysinners

Note: While the last two Valentine's are not for sale, you can use them as inspiration for finding (or making) your own vintage-inspired cards. If you want to buy in packs, Plum Party has a set of 10 classic valentine cards.

What is your best Valentine's card memory? Do you still send them out today?

Don't Forget to Say Thank You!

Photo by Divine in the Daily

The gifts are open, the decorations are down and 2009 is here, but there is still one last task to check off your holiday to-do list – writing thank you notes. It is not too late to get those cards in the mail. You will start 2009 off with a well-deserved accomplishment and brighten the recipient’s New Year. It also gives you an excuse to use cute cards like the ones shown below.


This note card selection revolves around a festive red and icy blue color palette perfect for post-holiday mailing. And, hey – if you are still warmed with Christmas cheer, there is a Rudolph silhouette just for you.




clockwise from top left:
red zigzags card from Pink Loves Brown;
Hey Thanks! folded greeting card from The Paper Princess;
happy holly card from Tiny Prints;
red garland card from Night Owl Paper Goods;
bird toile aqua/coral note from Whitney English;
Rudolph's rendezvous card from Tiny Prints

Once the card is chosen, you actually have to write a note of thanks and sometimes it is hard to know what to say. Keep your words sincere, and use these tips to simplify your writing.

• Thank the recipient for the exact gift he or she gave you.
• Provide context about the gift. How do you plan to use it? Have you already used it? Is it something from your wish list? Let the gift giver know the gift means something to you.
• Close by restating your thanks for the gift and generosity of the gift giver.
  

Have you written any thank you notes for holiday gifts?