It has occurred to me that I might need to explain what a Valentine actually is to the younger generation. "This thing here, you see, was called a Valentine. It was kind of like a sweet, innocent, romantic text message you would send to the boy or girl you liked, only you wrote your name on it yourself, and you personally handed it to the recipient instead of hitting the 'SEND' button." They'd never understand it, would they?
Some of the vintage Valentines I've collected are blank, and some are signed with names like "Irma" and "Geneva." This one, clearly, was sent by Ronnie Giselman. Or at least Ronnie Giselman's mother. I've never seen a Valentine with the name stamped on the back before, and so I can just picture Ronnie's mother. She made the cupcakes for the class Valentine's party, had all the neighborhood kids over on the Fourth of July, and her Christmas cards were all written and in the mail by December 1. Or maybe the name was stamped because Ronnie just had so many friends. What's your story about why this is stamped instead of handwritten?
Sometimes it's fun to ponder things like this, and there's no better place to ponder than in a journal. Perhaps a tea-themed journal, like this one. I bought myself one of these cute journals earlier this year, and when I saw another I decided it should be a Valentine's giveaway treat for one of you. To be entered to win, just leave a comment to this post between now and 7 a.m. EST tomorrow. Good luck!
I have enjoyed seeing your vintage valentines this week. I just love tea-themed journals!
ReplyDeleteAdorable journal, please include me in the giveaway. Thank you for having such a fun Valentine's week of five aways.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ronnie was pokey and the stamp greatly expedited the classroom project! ;-) I'm not entering the drawing for the journal, because I went to TJ Maxx and bought two when you wrote a post about them. It's a lovely journal.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! A tea journal -- how sweet!! I love journals ... please count me in on this one! :)
ReplyDeleteI bet the stamp was a birthday or Christmas present (what kid doesn't like adult stuff with his name on it?), and it made one less chore for the holiday (and thank-you notes).
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in for the journal, as it's really cute.
you have the cutest giveaways. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty journal!
ReplyDeletevery cute journal
ReplyDeletePlease enter me. I often sit alone in a tea room and journal. This one is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI would love this little journal. Love your vintage Valentine's and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI think most of the younger generation I know still trade paper Valentines. I've already received two Valentines from friends - on beautifully handmade! I decided to make a handmade Valentine for my sweetheart as well. I found this really cute one on Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/pin/92464598571422372/ I made gingerbread Oreo truffles for my many Valentine friends as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the tea journal - I do hope to win it. Please let us know where you got!
Love the tea themed journal!!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ronnie broke his arm right before Valentine's Day. Sledding accident perhaps?
ReplyDeleteThat journal is so cute!
Enter me, please. Maybe Ronnie was too young to write his name, so his mother stamped the cards. It is puzzling. I have never seen this before, and I am old enough to remember the days when we gave each other a paper valentine at school.
ReplyDeleteI love LOVE your collection of old valentines with tea-themes! I collect Valentines hankies and have a very few tea valentine cards- but your collection is so awesome!!
ReplyDeleteEnter me please!
ReplyDeleteI would guess that perhaps Ronnie received the stamp as a gift to mark his belongings (books, notebooks, etc) with, and when it came time to write out valentine cards he saw a way to save himself some effort!
I have painful memories of agonizing over which of the designs in that year's box of generic sentiments was best for my crush at the time. It had to express that I had particular feeling for them without stating my feelings explicitly, because in the event that those feelings were not reciprocated I would be mocked mercilessly.
I never much liked the custom of classroom valentines, because at my school you had to give them to everyone whether you liked them or not. On the other hand, I probably wouldn't have gotten any otherwise...
what a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day with antique Valentine display. Your tea journal is a tea lover's dream.
ReplyDeleteI think whomever stamped that Valentine would be quite at home today texting. Maybe Ronnie's writing was so poor, his mother bought him a stamp?
ReplyDeleteI'm not entering for the tea journal, I bought one last year to keep track of the tea rooms I visit. This was your idea, wasn't it Angela?
Judith
I would love to be entered to win the journal. I love your blog and look forward to it daily :). Thank you!
ReplyDelete'The Sweetness of the holiday,
ReplyDeleteLetting Someone know how Special they are,
Remembering what made us fall in Love on that summer day,
Was it the twinkle in the eye,
Was it the clear blue sky?
Or was it when you placed your hand in mine,
I wanted to whisper,
'will you be my Valentine?'
To a wonderful blog host, Angela,
Happy Valentine's Week, Joanie
What a wonderful journal to record memories of tea parties, tea cups, tea pots, types of tea tried and tea photos!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day! :-)