Monday, February 1, 2010

The Valentine Chocolate Box . . .






My sister, Myra, is 13 years older than me so when I was a young girl in the 1950's, she was a teenager with boyfriends. Every Valentine's Day her boyfriend would send her a beautiful box of chocolates. The box was always shaped like a red heart (sometimes a pink heart) and was always heavily embellished with pretty papers, laces, ribbons and flowers. Oh, how I loved those wonderful boxes. It was not the chocolate covered creams or chocolate covered nuts that attracted me (although now it would be!!), but rather the box itself. Sometimes when my sister was through with the chocolates, she would let me play with the box and keep some of my "treasures" in it. Well, I guess my daddy knew how I loved those pretty Valentine boxes because one Valentine's Day he went to the drug store in our small town and purchased a box of chocolates for me. The box was smaller and not as heavily embellished as the ones my sister received from her boyfriends, but how I loved that box. It was red and heart shaped and covered in cellophane and on the lid were some embossed flowers or cupids (I can't remember for sure.) and it was tied up with a pretty bow. The chocolates were probably Russel Stover or Pangburns, and that box was my prized possession. I wish my sister and I had kept those delightful boxes because they were a reminder of a simpler, more innocent time. Do you remember a favorite Valentine present? Do you love chocolate? My mother loved chocolates, but my daddy really didn't care for chocolate. I have found this to be true, either one really loves chocolate or one really doesn't care for it that much. I LOVE chocolate and it seems my grandchildren have inherited my love for they love chocolate, too. Sweet friends, I hope you have enjoyed my little Valentine story, and I am wishing for you a week full of love and happiness!!!

I purchased the heart shaped box, Valentine bear, Valentine cupcake and Valentine tussie mussie from Ms. Rhea of Sweet 'n Shabby Roses. You can find Rhea here: http://sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/

23 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Hello Vicki.... oooh, I so remember the chocolate boxes! They were so beautiful, usually my daddy would give my mama one, and then we all got to share some of the chocolates... how sweet your daddy got you your very own! What little treasures did you store in yours? Your little Valentine bear is adorable! Thanks for sharing more precious memories! xoxo Julie Marie

Julie Harward said...

I LOVE CHOCOLATE..IS THERE ANYONE WHO DOESN'T?! I REMEMBER A LITTLE SILVER BRACLET WITH A RED JEWELED HEART ON IT, IT CAME IN A CRYSTAL LOOKING BOX...LOVED IT! I JUST LOVE VALENTINES DAY...COME SAY HI :D

Unknown said...

G'eve Viciki ~ Yessiree! We had elegant decorated chocolate boxes WAY BACK WHEN, the graphics & frou frou trims, ruffles, plastic lace. Mother always gave us each a very small pretty one.

Love your memories ...

Pop over for our giveaway ending Feb. 7th ...

Have a beautiful week.
TTFN ~Marydon

Pauline said...

Such lovely memories for you. I too love chocolate but alas, it doesn't love me...I'm allergic :o(
Lovely images too :o)

God bless you, my friend.

Elizabeth Dianne said...

I love the story about your father. It reminded me of one of my dad giving me a little wooden box that he say me "eyeing" at a souvenir shop. I have been meaning to write about that--maybe I'll get around to it this month.

Thanks for an absolutely beautiful post. And yes I love chocolate but I only crave it in the afternoon or evenings and I can't sleep if I eat it because of the caffeine so at my age, I choose sleep. LOL

Have a lovely week!

Dianne

Elaine said...

Such a nice memory you have of valentines day and beautiful boxes. You have some lovely purchases from Ms Rhea

Connie said...

Oooohmygosh, drop dead gorgeous, sugar!!! I would love those to pieces. Of course, Rhea is a good friend and I have many of her works of art.
xoxo,
Connie

Unknown said...

Ms. Vicky, I love the fact that you have so many loving memories. It sound like you have a good life growing up. So funny how we started collecting pretties so early on. Just a taste of things to come. I visit Ms Rhea's blog. She only have the tussie mussies listed. LOve her blog and will follow. I love her pretty things especially since I have seen the quality in person..Blessings, Marta

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

You do have so many wonderful childhood memories. They just don't come to me as easily. Imagine what we could do now with all the heart shaped boxes from the past. We could embellish our own and store our most special treasures. They certainly don't make things as lovingly as they did long ago. Everything is mass produced to looks the same. Your purchases from Rhea are adorable -- I love that little teddy bear. Fun stuff. Have a blessed day dear Vicky, :) Tammy

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Oh, I was sooo wondering who got that adorable little party bear of Rhea's. It all looks so pretty!

Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

I want Valentines like that this year!!
Gorgeous!
Cat

Pom Pom said...

Sweet post (in all ways!) Vicki!
I LOVE chocolates so much. At Godiva you can join the club for free and get one chocolate each month. Yum! Have you read Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch? It is the sweetest little "box of chocolates" story ever. I wish you a pretty box for Love Day!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful story!! It brought tears to my eyes! Your daddy sounds just as wonderful as mine :) There are so many things I wish I had kept from my childhood. Thank goodness for the memories! You always have such beautiful posts Vicki!
I just want to thank you so much for the beautiful giveaway gifts you sent to me! I love them so much. The journal is so special! I think I will bring it on our family vacation next month and record my thoughts at the end of each day. What a beautiful keepsake it will be. Thank you dear friend!
Love you!
Amy

Unseen India Tours said...

Lovely memories !! Great !! Thanks for sharing.

Ana said...

Hi Vicki,
I love your stories....You are so sweet for sharing them with us. Oh and by the way I don't just love chocolate, I looooooooooove Chocolate...First class Chocoholic here :-) Have a wonderful day my friend.

Much love to you,
♥Ana

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Did you say Chocolate? My ears perk right up, heehee! Love the pictures, oh so pretty. Those sweet treats that are not meant to be eaten are darling.

Miss Rhea said...

Thank you, I am Blushing :) I never got a box of Chocolates, not the pretty heart box kind anyways, BUT, my Favorite memory of Valentines was picking the Perfect Valentine from the generic box of 50, agonizing on How to sign the dumb thing, "I Like you, You are Cool, Cute Boy, Lets go Steady, etc," lol ! :) and slyly putting it on the Boy's desk that I had a crush on. New boy each year, but the emotion of waiting to see if he liked it, would like me, and would I find a valentine on my desk from him, Priceless ! lol !! :) Silly huh ? That was SO sweet of your father, what a Lovely memory :) Hugs :)

teddy bears Marin to Venice said...

A very great love your blog!
very beautiful.... hook to look at all new things.

Rosarita

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

My Dad always bought my Mom a heart shaped box of candy on Valentine's Day and always signed the card "your Lover". Thanks for bringing back that wonderful memory for me!
Debbie

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hello sweet Vicki!

what a sweet Valentine story. I never recieved those beautiful boxes of chocolates, just the plain box. I sure do love chocolate! Oh what sweet things from Miss Rhea's. I love her things, and have several myself. I was selected as a runner-up winner in her vintage wallpaper giveaway. I received some lovely papers, and I think I will make a little booklet. Have a wonderful Valentines day dear friend!

Debbie

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

I remember those gorgeous heart boxes covered in satin and lace. I wish they still made them like that. And chocolate? Love it but milk chocolate not dark chocolate:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of teh vintage vixens

GwendolynKay said...

Vicki,
That was a lovely story. What a sweet father. It would be great to have those old candy boxes.. but at least you have the memories. I am a nut for chocolate anything!
Blessings!
Gwen

Carol Anne's Boutique said...

Hi Vicki, Memories of our parents are so very special and I loved hearing about your precious memory of your Dad! My Dad always bought my Mom chocolate covered cherries that came in a beautiful red heart shaped box!
I have always LOVED chocolate. When I was a little girl, my Dad used to say it was my middle name! :) I remember every Friday when he got home from work, Dad always had a Hershey bar for me! :)
Love & Hugs, Carol Anne