Valentine's Day: Forget Chocolate & Flowers! A Vintage Gift is EVERLASTING!

Over the years, Valentine's Day has become one of the most commercial days of the year in North America and other parts of the world.

Do you know the story of how Valentine's Day began?

According to Wikipedia

  • It originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus
  • There are numerous martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including a written account of Saint Valentine of Rome's imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire.
(Photo Source: publiceyemaritzburg.co.za)
  • According to legend, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge, and he wrote her a letter signed "From Your Valentine" as a farewell before his execution.
  • The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269.
Saint Valentine of Rome (Source: from a medieval illuminated manuscript / Wikimedia Commons)
The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Chaucer was also famous for Canterbury Tales.

      In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines.") Valentine's Day symbols still used used today include the heart-shaped items and the winged cupid. 

      I personally love VINTAGE Valentine's Day cards. Here is a card from my private collection, postmarked Feb 14, 1902. 

      (Source: From the collection of Peppermint-twist-vintage.com - author unknown)

      When I think if Valentine's day, two things are ingrained in my mind, to be given as gifts: Flowers, in particular roses, and chocolates. This has been promoted for decades. 

      FTD ad

      1950's FTD Floral Ad (Source: Yahoo images)

      1943 Whitmore Chocolate Ad, reminding us that our loved one needs chocolates  (Source: yahoo images)
      I don't want to sound negative but the issue is, roses can be pricey and can die within a week or two. Unless of course, they come from your own garden. Although delicious, chocolate is wrapped is so much plastic and inked cardboard that it ends up in the landfill site. Unless of course, you made the chocolates, from scratch.  To be honest, these are almost forgettable gifts!
      Wilted Flowers after two weeks (Source google images)
       Box of Chocolates
      A standard box of chocolates: plastic and cardboard, that ends up in the landfill sites. (Picture Source: wikipedia)

      We aren't required to celebrate Valentine's Day. But my mother always did and I  kept the tradition alive. You can thank a friend, mother, father, teacher, co-worker, family member, and NOT just a partner. 

      For the woman or young lady in your life, my favourite recommendation is a brooch.

      I am not just saying this as a sales pitch (well, maybe a little) but I do think it's a more memorable, versatile and shows some thought into the gift. Plus they are sentimental also, especially when you pick the person's favourite colour, or a heart-shaped or animal brooch.

      Brooches can be worn in some many ways - on a hat, lapel, dress, jacket, scarf or as a hairclip, as seen in this collage I created below. 

      Carole Lombard, Barbara Stanwyck, Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor,
      Sarah Jessica-Parker and Gwen Stefani, all wearing brooches.
      (Photo source: Yahoo images.)

      We have OVER 100 brooches to chose from. Here are some of my favourite, one-of a kind, brooches in stock now. 

      Examine our entire collection. Here is a just sample of items that we have. SAVE 15% off your order until February 14th

      This is a gorgeous little brooch. 

       

      As a substitute for a bouquet of roses, these are a nice alternatives including a

       

      Most people love cameos, as do I. This is a great Cameo brooch collection.

      Cameos

      Or if you brooches are not offering enough pizzazz, I recommends jewelry sets. 
      The Trifari Valencia advertisement from the 1960s is one of the most stunning items from the 1960s and we have the earrings and bracelet. See below.

       

       

       

      I recommend jewelry sets including this gorgeous earring, necklace and bracelet set from Coro, circa 1950s.

      Jewelry set from peppermint-twist-vintage.com

      This gorgeous pink, aurora borealis 1960s jewelry set is gorgeous also with a lovely brooch, earrings and wrap bracelet.

      Ab Pint set

      Also, earrings are very inexpensive. Here is a sample of a few great for St. Valentine's Day.

       

       

       

      And these gorgeous white CORO earrings are so wonderful.

      Heart Earrings by CORO

      Also, this lovely heart pendant set is so sweet.
      Heart Pendant

      Skip the flowers and the chocolates and get purchase something more memorable and thoughtful...

      For the man in your life, we have a few items including the following:

      This really amazing vintage LADY LUCK belt buckle would please a man who wears jeans often.
      Belt Buckle Lady Luck
      We also have a variety of cuff links. But these amazing SWANK brand ones are the best... never used.. old deadstock.
      Cufflinks by Swank
      And these vintage signed Christian Dior cuff links. 
      Christian Dior Cufflinks
      Here is an original advertisement for SWANK from the late 50's, early 60s timeframe. (Source: Pinterest)
      Swank ad
      Whatever you decide for that day, don't forget to give some Valentine love to someone in your life! Life is too short so don't forget to appreciate someone. 
      If you do purchase from our site, SAVE 15% off your order until February 14th, 2020.

      Thank you for reading!!

      Also, don't forgot to follow us on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM/p>

      Nancy

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