Happy Mother's Day

Celebrating Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May became an official U. S. holiday 99 years ago in 1914.  It seems there is a much bigger marketing campaign these days than there was in mid-century magazines but Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, was already denouncing its commercialization in the 1920s according to The History Channel.

FTD
Flowers by Wire "Traditional Mother's Day Gift in a Keepsake Milk Glass Vase complete only $7.50"

May 5, 1961 Life Magazine

Kodak
"Picture Idea of the Week. Peter Lawford says: 'Make it a Mother's Day she'll remember - with Kodacolor shapshots. Easy to take with any camera!'"

May 2, 1960 Life Magazine

"Picture it now - enjoy it again and again! Give Mother her day for keeps - take pictures with Kodacolor Film!"

May 5, 1961 Life Magazine

Kool-Aid
"Happy Mother's Day I made the cake! Peggy. I made the Kool-Aid! Jim.  I drank some of the Kool Aid - Dad."

May 12, 1961 Life Magazine

Pyrex
"Special $3.50 Pyrex Ware Color Bowl Set only $2.49. World's most famous mixing-bowl set at almost a third off . . . Just in Time For Mother's Day!"


May 2, 1955 Life Magazine
"Mother's Day Gifts . . . for June Brides, too!"

May 7, 1956 Life Magazine

Whitman's Chocolate
"Mm-m, no wonder Mother's hoping for a Whitman's Sampler"

May 2, 1955 Life Magazine

"Where candy rates a thank-you, Whitman's rates a kiss"

May 3, 1963 Life Magazine

General Electric  
"Mothers make magic with General Electric (starting Mother's Day, May 12th)"

May 3, 1963 Life Magazine

Western Union
"Now the greeting that carries its own bouquet - new Scented Telegrams for Mother's Day"

May 2, 1955 Life Magazine
"What a lovely idea . . . A Carnation Scented Telegram - A Happy Thought for Mother's Day"

May 7, 1967 Life Magazine
"Read the telegram Eddie and Debbie are sending for Mother's Day"

May 6, 1957 Life Magazine
"Cried Danny D. Deever, Esquire, As he sent off his Mother's Day Wire, 'What a Dandy Way this is to send Love and Kisses - In June I shall wire my Sire!"

May 5, 1958 Life Magazine
"A new way to say 'I love you' this Mother's Day . . . send her a CandyGram"

May 11, 1959 Life Magazine

Zippo
"Newest gift for modern mothers . . . Zippo Slim-Lighter"

May 6, 1957 Life Magazine

Happy Mother's Day to all celebrating! Especially to my Mom!

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, you know how I like to celebrate holidays . . . finding retro-rific Life Magazine ads!

Lane Cedar Hope Chests

January 31, 1955 Life Magazine

Eating out gives life hearts a lift! Swift's Premium

February 8, 1960 Life Magazine


Win her heart - give her Schrafft's (you may win a Lark, too)

February 3, 1961 Life Magazine

Zing! Only coke gives you that REFRESHING NEW FEELING

February 16, 1962 Life Magazine

Manhattan Peppermint print pajamas - tasty treat for any Valentine.

February 13, 1956 Life Magazine

Give your beau an Arrow

February 3, 1958 Life Magazine

7 Hearts Bid for your lady's heart with Johnston Candies (Red Supreme $35.00??!!)

February 3, 1958 Life Magazine

Norcross Valentines say the things you want to say

February 3, 1958 Life Magazine

When you care enough to send the very best - Hallmark Cards

February 10, 1958 Life Magazine


February 8, 1960 Life Magazine

It's wise to wire on all happy occasions - Western Union Telegram

February 10, 1958 Life Magazine


Lennox - it's wonderful! Heating and Air Conditioning

February 15, 1960 Life Magazine

Wrap it up or send a greeting 1956

Pretty Christmas greetings and packages with 1956 style


Norcross Christmas Cards


Western Union Telegram



Norcross Gift Wrappings "Wrap your gifts with Norcross Christmas Gift wrappings"


Hallmark Gift Wrap "For the added touch that means so much" (their logo really hasn't changed in the last half century)


"Sparkling new Alcoa Wrap aluminum foil wraps it with originality."


"Make all your gifts Sparkle with new Carousel Ribbons by Burlington"


"Seal it with 'Scotch' Brand . . . it'll stay sealed!" "Look for the plaid" Scotch Cellophane Tape


"Guess this wraps it up for now . . . more Postum, anybody?"

Wishing you a Merry Christmas wrapped in contentment, peace and love.

Western Union Easter Greetings

It's awesome when a company can stay in business through the decades. Founded in 1851,  Western Union has been in business during three different centuries - that's even better! I enjoyed the scene in one of the Back to the Future movies where Doc who traveled back to 1855 had Western Union keep a letter in their Hill Valley office and instructed them who, where and when to deliver it in 1955. Of course they had to make business practice changes when the telegraph system became moot but it made me smile yesterday when I walked by their counter at a grocery store and heard someone needing their services for wiring money.

Back in the 50s they advertised sending Easter Greetings by telegram

April 4, 1955 Life Magazine

March 26, 1956 Life Magazine
Celebrity endorser Lucille Ball!

April 15, 1957 Life Magazine

March 31, 1958 Life Magazine

Easter Greetings to those of you celebrating!