VINTAGE VALENTINES: Sweet Little Cards & Very Romantic Gifts
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Valentine's Day Only Comes Once a Year! Let's Make It Special.
So many people wait until the last day or the last minute to buy a Valentine's gift because they either:
- forgot to buy a gift
- could not afford to pay full price, so they waited until "stuff went on sale".
- they were just too darned CHEAP to pay full price for a gift, so they waited until "stuff went on sale".
What blew me away many years ago was when a coworker of mine said she and her husband always wait until the day AFTER Valentine's Day to buy each other a gift! Holy smokes, what's the point? This couple could afford to pay full price for each other's gifts, but they were too cheap! Don't get me wrong, I don't have money growing on the trees in my back yard, and I love a bargain, but when I buy a gift for someone, I put TIME and THOUGHT into the gift. I think about the recipient's personality, hobbies and lifestyle. I also try to think of their favorites such as: colors, flavors, scents, music, authors, etc. I do NOT run to the bargain aisle and grab the first thing I see. That is NO way to buy a gift for someone! I also do NOT wait until a store is about to close to buy some cheap gift.
Another thing I do NOT like to buy for someone as a gift is a seasonal gift package such as the cellophane-wrapped box with a coffee mug, a quarter-ounce sample of coffee, a plastic spoon and a cheap little stuffed animal. This type of gift should be an absolute LAST resort gift for the RARE occasion that you "forget" to buy a gift, or you just "ain't got time" to shop, or you've been "sick as a dog" and couldn't get to the store until just now.
I like all the post holiday sales, I really do, but I will never "postpone" the actual gift-giving because I waited until the day after the holiday to buy the gift. If you buy a seasonal gift after the holiday is over, then give that gift to someone NEXT year! That way, not only did you save a few bucks, but you will also be prepared for the next holiday gift-giving occasion! If you do buy that post-holiday gift, please don't just grab a bunch of crap! Instead, think about the people you are making purchases for and try to buy something thoughtful. If you happen to see a pink tartan-plaid coffee cup with purple cows gazing lovingly into each other's eyes in the bargain bin, and you know your sweetheart loves pink tartan-plaid and adores cows, then by all means, buy that cup that and give it to her NEXT year for Valentine's Day!
But if you can not think of any reason to buy that ridiculous-looking coffee mug except for the fact that it's "cheap", then don't buy it! Of course, you wouldn't want to buy a gift with any type of food in it this year and give it to someone next year, would you???
Why should you buy a Valentine's gift here? For many reasons!
- There is variety on this lens.
- Many, many bargains can be found here!
- There are unique gifts here, and you are sure to come up with ideas of your own.
- There are both new and used gifts here -- buying "used" means "recycling", which is way cool.
- If your sweetheart likes antiques and vintage things and doesn't mind a "used" gift, you're in the right place.
- Buy a gift here and you won't have to get dressed, or use your gasoline driving from store to store, and you won't have to walk up and down store aisles.
Let's not wait until the last minute to buy gifts, OK? Bookmark this lens so you can easily get back here year after year to find fabulous, thoughtful gifts AND bargains! If you are a Squidoo member, you can save this lens to your FAVORITES.
Vintage Valentine Cards
Let's start with "the card". Why buy a box of cheap assembly line made Valentine's cards with crazy turtles karate-chopping each other? What do karate-chopping turtles have to do with Valentine's Day, anyway? Valentine's Day is all about love. L'amour. These are CLASSIC Valentines....they are pretty, they are cute, they are sweet. Some of these Valentines have been used, but that's OK, because they were used in the name of love, and some of them have the sweetest words written on them. It's romantic to think about two lovers who exchanged these Valentines many years ago. Perhaps two children exchanged Valentines in kindergarten, and now they are grown and married to one another. Now that's romantic! Your sweetheart can frame these vintage Valentines or tuck them away in a special Keepsake Box and cherish them forever!
Click to See More Vintage Valentine Cards & Ephemera
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Vintage Valentine Paper Dolls on eBay
These vintage Valentine paper dolls are awesome gifts for little girls or grown women who still like to collect paper dolls. I would be THRILLED to receive something like this for Valentine's Day! I think it would be very thoughtful of a man to remember the fact that I love paper dolls, and to give me a hand full of these for Valentine's Day. Of course, if there was a diamond ring hiding under the paper dolls, that would be even more thoughtful.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byVintage Valentine Dolls and Bears on eBay
Oh, don't run out to the nearest dollar store to buy the one you love a cheesy stuffed animal for Valentine's Day! That's just not very thoughtful. How about a rare or collectible bear or doll, instead? Does your sugar pie collect bears or dolls? Maybe you could peruse her collection then do a little research on the Internet and find just the right bear or doll to fill in a missing spot on that display shelf. A vintage handkerchief would be a nice touch to display along with the vintage doll or bear.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byRead Your Love Horoscope Right Here!
(scripts for ivillage.com need to be enabled to use the horoscope)
Vintage Valentine Jewelry on eBay
While diamonds might be a girl's best friend, some of you guys might not be quite ready to make the type of commitment that a diamond stands for, or maybe your wallet isn't busting at the seams. You can find gorgeous pieces of vintage or antique jewelry on eBay that will make your sweetheart's eyes sparkle on Valentine's Day.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byVintage Valentine Altered Art Jewelry on eBay
Altered art jewelry is creative and fun to wear. If your special someone is artsy or crafty, she just might like altered art jewelry. Below is a small selection of the altered art jewelry created especially for Valentine's Day or other romantic gift-giving occasions. Click here to shop for a much larger selection of altered art jewelry with a Valentine's Day theme.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDon't Forget!
Valentine's Day
is
February 14th!
Vintage Valentine Aprons on eBay
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right? OK, guys, think! You want your significant other to cook for you because one, you love to eat, and two, you don't feel like cooking. If you want your sweetheart to cook for you, then you've got to get her in the mood! This gift is what I call an "opportunistic gift". You buy your sweetie a GORGEOUS vintage apron, wrap it up in a gorgeous gift box and beautiful wrapping paper. (don't forget the Valentine's card). Give the wrapped apron to your sweetie and she will tear into the package, put the apron on immediately, and voila! Your sweetheart is now in the mood to cook. It wouldn't hurt to toss in some new cookware or retro cookware...that will REALLY get your wife, fiancee' or girlfriend in the mood to cook!
If you don't see enough of an apron selection here, please visit my popular Vintage Aprons lens where you will find dozens of beautiful vintage aprons that are categorized by style and fabric type.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byVintage Valentine Handkerchiefs / Hankies on eBay
What the heck is she going to do with a USED hankie??? (sometimes spelled: hanky) First of all, please don't think of these little gems as "used" -- they are "vintage", and they have probably been cleaned. If not, I have a list of washing and care instructions for vintage textiles on my Vintage Aprons lens. Vintage handkerchiefs are highly collectible, and they are beautiful!
Here are some ways vintage handkerchiefs can be used:
- Displayed in a frame or shadow box....with other items or alone.
- Placed on a table or shelf underneath a vase, picture, coaster or other item.
- Make a one-of-a-kind lampshade, pillow or table runner out of one or more hankies.
- Make a beautiful heirloom handkerchief apron.
See where this is going? If your valentine likes antiques, collecting, or if she enjoys sewing or crafts, she will LOVE YOU for buying her some vintage handkerchiefs for Valentine's Day! If the handkerchiefs are red, pink, have hearts, cupids or cherubs on them, then that will make the Valentine's Day gift even more special. If you're lucky, you might be able to find a handkerchief with your significant other's name or initials monogrammed on it, or if you are married, then look for the first letter of your last name monogrammed on a handkerchief. You can always take a vintage handkerchief to a professional monogrammer to have something monogrammed on it.
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If you want to have your own FREE Squidoo account to create lenses for fun, profit and/or charity and to meet some super cool people, click on the Valentine's card above or click here to get started!
Vintage Valentine Auction Templates on eBay
Oh snap! There are even eBay auction templates with a vintage Valentine's Day theme! I could not resist featuring these templates here. Nothin' wrong with a little romance while you're working....as long as the romance brings in money. Do you have an eBay account? Whether you are buying or selling, you can sign up for a FREE eBay account right now by clicking here.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byLooking for More of an Adult Gift?
I know, some of the stuff here is rather "frou-frou", but that's what some people like! Whether you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift for a man or a woman, there are plenty of vintage, retro and rockabilly gifts on my Pinup Calendars lens. My Pinup Calendars lens has way more than just calendars -- it has clothing, stockings, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, aprons and costumes for women; and neck ties, framed pinup art, cigarette and business card holders for men and a lot more. For Valentine's Day, I Prefer to Receive...
LAST Valentine's Day, I Received....
Planning a Trip for Valentine's Day?
How about a trip for two to Las Vegas? Just think about those heart-shaped beds, bathtubs shaped like champagne glasses, room service and big winnings!
Romantic Movies from Netflix
Sign up for a Netflix account now, choose the movies you want, have them shipped to your mailbox before Valentine's Day, and mail them back whenever you like!
- 001- The Notebook
Two young lovers (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) are torn apart by war and class differences in th...- 002- P.S. I Love You
When she loses her beloved husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) to a brain tumor, grieving widow Holly Kenn...- 003- The Lake House
Speed co-stars Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves reteam for romance in director Alejandro Agresti's re...- 004- Twilight
When Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest to live with her fa...- 005- Hitch
Smooth and sexy Alex "Hitch" Hitchens (Will Smith) is the master of seduction in this charming roman...- Try Netflix free for 14 days
Lyrics to "My Funny Valentine"
My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentine's day
Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But don't you change one hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentine's day
Valentine's Day
is February 14th
Snuggle Up Next to Your Sweetie at the Movies on Valentine's Day!
(updated automatically every 30 minutes)
- Avatar in Digital 3D
- Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience
- Avatar
- Did You Hear About the Morgans?
- The Young Victoria - Opens Limited Fri., Dec. 18
Vintage Picnic Baskets
What better gift to give on Valentine's Day than one that can be shared by a couple over and over? Plan a romantic picnic in a city park or in the country with your sweetheart with a vintage picnic basket, a bottle of vintage wine or champagne and a beautiful pair of vintage wine or champagne Glasses. Don't forget the food!
Click to See More Vintage Picnic Baskets, Tins & Accessories
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byVintage Wine & Champagne Glasses
Click to See More Vintage Wine & Champagne Glasses
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byGuestbook
PLEASE leave me a love note! Tell me you love me or tell me you love this lens or tell about someone else you love. Tell about your best Valentine's Day or your worst. Just leave me a note, please! If you'd like, go over to Sexiest Lensmaster Ever and vote for me! Be sure to vote for "Retro Loco" by clicking on the little arrow (that points upward) and vote for my retro wild hair!
P.S. I love you.
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- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Jan 13, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
- I love your assortment of vintage Valentine's items!
Brenda
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- BevsPaper BevsPaper Oct 25, 2008 @ 5:21 am
- Love this lens!
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- dc64 dc64 Sep 2, 2008 @ 11:20 am
- These are my favorite types of valentines. Thanks for creating a lens on this. 5 stars.
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- Tiddledeewinks Tiddledeewinks May 1, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
- I love vintage Valentines (and newer ones). When I was in elementary school, I always loved exchanging Valentines that we put in the big white homemade box decorated with Valentine designs. Cute ending!
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Mar 1, 2008 @ 6:30 am
- Garner Rix came from the 1780's to check out your lens. He enjoyed it so much that he is sending you a virtual Valentine.
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- rms rms Feb 12, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
- This lens is lovely. Thanks for joining my Postcard group.
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- Christopher_Scott Christopher_Scott Jan 31, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
- Great lens on Valentines Day. You rock!
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- badmsm badmsm Jan 28, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
- Hey Retro!
Thanks for all the love you left on my lenses. You did a great job here. 5 stars for you!
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- Gordon_Hamilton Gordon_Hamilton Jan 26, 2008 @ 11:41 am
- Fantastic. You leave the reader literally spoiled for choice. I'm almost in more of a dliemma now than I was before I read this - but in the nicest possible way. Well done and have a great Valentine's Day. I hope your someone special has taken your advice!
The History of Valentine's Day
'Valentines Day or Saint Valentine's Day' is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the English-speaking countries, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentines cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Fashioning of a Modern Holiday: St. Valentine's Day, 1840-1870" Winterthur Portfolio 28.4 (Winter 1993), pp. 209-245. The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America, where many Valentine cards are now general greeting cards rather than declarations of love, was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.Leigh Eric Schmidt, "The Commercialization of the calendar: American holidays and the culture of consumption, 1870-1930" Journal of American History 78.3 (December 1991) pp 890-98. It's considered one of the Hallmark holidays.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women.
Other Lenses of Mine That Have Nice Gifts for Valentine's Day:
- Retro Pinup Calendars: New and vintage pinup girl calendars, clothing, gifts for men and women depending on the upcoming holiday.
- Vintage Aprons: Look cute while baking those Valentine's Day treats!
- Vintage Cookbooks: Features dozens of old cookbooks, categorized by decade dating from the 1920's to the 1980's. Also sells vintage recipe boxes and cookbook easels.
- Retro Loco!: Are you Nuts for Nostalgia? Retro items for your kitchen, wardrobe, music collection and home.
- Retro Calendars: Nostalgic calendars with classic cars, vintage advertisements, retro humor and more.
Top of Page
My Very Own Dream Vintage Valentine's Day Present
I think this engagement ring is beautiful and very romantic, but it needs a few changes to suit my personal tastes. You can click here to see other views of this gorgeous Victorian-style ring or to purchase this one, but remember, if you are buying this ring for me, this is not the exact ring I want! :-) This band is pretty, too, but the diamonds have to be the real thing!!
If you wish, you can comment below on these stunning engagement rings.
by Retro_Loco
Hi, my name is Vicki, and I love anything and everything retro, vintage, antique and old. I am working on several different lenses (all retro-related,...
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