Renee from My Vintage Mending challenged me in this category ages ago. I was happy to dig out my collection and revisit all the charm with my stash.
Quite a bit of the vintage wrapping paper that I find comes in boxes like these or in folded sheets (not the modern day rolls).
The graphics on the boxes suck me in of course. Each box contains multiple sheets of paper. The boxes often contained coordinating tags or other embellishments as well.
Note the tarnished glitter embellishments (bells and candy canes) with this set.
Christmas boxes of wrapping paper
Floral themed boxes. I collect these boxes even if they are empty as they are so darn cute.
These are some of the patterns found in one of the floral boxes.
Most of my stash of wrapping paper is in this wire basket. That would be 29 inches of vintage wrapping paper glory.
Spectacular patterns like this. They just don't make them the same anymore.
Birthday themed.
These papers are a sign of the era they came from.
Pin up girls and dancing indians.
I love the floral.
I especially love the colors in this one.
Child themed.
I even save scraps if the image is cute.
Christmas. The trees in the lower left corner have wonderful gold glitter accents.
I often find them in original cellophane wrap still sealed....waiting for the moment when they can actually wrap a gift.
Old wrapping paper catalog from 1958.
With swell designs that a store could order like these.
I used to complain about my sister in law meticulously unwrapping gifts and saving the paper. They I started to find used folded sheets at estate sales. Now I have a bin of it.
Often with original gift tags still taped to the paper. (1954 date on the Christmas stamp near the tag)
I occasionally find wrapping paper in rolls.
I love this roll of pink flocked Merry Christmas paper.
This roll of nursery rhyme cellophane is adorable.
Was fun to revisit this collection and see what I had tucked away.
And last but not least...a litlle early Father's Day action.
Thanks Renee for this suggestion and this LONG post. This is only the tip of images for my wrapping paper collection..you could have been reading for days.
If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of _____." I will see what I can find in my stash.
Happy Day!
Laurie
So happy I can get my fix most mornings with my coffee and looking at your blog! Your collections make me so happy. I don't have nearly as much vintage goodies you do but it's sure nice to know there's someone out there in Blogland that loves the same things I do and I have as much fun looking at your things as I do mine!
:-)
Posted by: Doreen | June 14, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Where in the heck do you store it all??? I love all of your collections and I try to hoard mine but my house is a disaster!!!!!
Posted by: Ter from Vintage Station | June 14, 2011 at 08:36 AM
OMG! Squares of papers framed would make such an awesome display! I just can't believe what you find! E
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 14, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Love the little pink elephants!
Do you ever use any of your paper? I buy it every once in a while and then hoard it -- it's too good to use.
Posted by: janet | June 14, 2011 at 09:35 AM
I have never seen such paper some of it reminds me of repo fabric I have! Good for you to w/o with a group this is very successful and I did it for many years when I lived in CA and loved it. It puts a bit of pressure on you to show up and this is what we need most of the time.
Posted by: Nan | June 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Another fun collection. The graphics are amazing. I especially love any of the ones meant for children. You never disappoint.
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | June 14, 2011 at 12:24 PM
What a great collection of wrapping paper you have collected. Do you ever use any of it on projects or to wrap a gift? Do you have any vintage wallpaper? I would love to see it if you do.
Danielle
Posted by: My Blessed Serendipity Life | June 14, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Wow! You've got a ton! I have some too, but HATE to use it, knowing it's going to get ripped up and torn outta my life!!! Now that I'm into art journals, I'm hoping to preserve some for them. Yeah, yeah. That's it!
Stop on by and check out the spoils I got today!
Jill
Posted by: Jill | June 14, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Hi Laurie,
ooooooooooh that is a lot of
vintage wrapping paper!!! :)
I was going to tell you that I
have some too,...but after scrolling down and looking at all
of the paper, I don't. (lol) I
mean I do, but...I don't. :)
Do you use any of it? I don't know
if I would.
Hugs,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | June 14, 2011 at 05:22 PM
I have no words...except STUNNING!
I didn't even know they made this many cute designs.
If I did it again I would have to be a graphic designer just to be able to reproduce these goodies because we know you have all of them...just kidding. Thanks for going through all the work...I missed my Lincoln head...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | June 14, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Ooooh! I love those graphics! Some of those sure brought back some childhood memories...
Hugs,
Jill
Posted by: Jill | June 14, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Great collection! I am addicted to vintage wrapping paper - there's something about those graphics that really gets to me and it seems to be less expensive than my other (new) addiction, vintage wallpaper. Do you suffer from that sickness as well? :-)
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 14, 2011 at 06:58 PM
You know how much I love this! I have a real soft spot for anything with an umbrella. And the men's wrapping paper with pipes and slippers. (Is that all men ever got? Those, and the occasional necktie?) Great collection, Laurie!
Posted by: Barbara | June 14, 2011 at 07:20 PM
I remember my dad ordering from those old books of gift wrap. I used to love to sit next to the filing cabinet where they were kept and just leaf through them. I buy paper now and again through Ebay. It's getting harder to find, though. Thanks, Laurie. - Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | June 14, 2011 at 07:21 PM
The little children in the space ships and the pink elephants are great. I am ever amazed at the great stuff you find - your reward for getting out there early!!
Posted by: Kathy | June 14, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Hi Laurie!
What a great collection of paper, and I love the santa boxes! Do you ever use any of the paper for crafts or actual gift wrapping? Thanks for sharing it!
Hugs,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 15, 2011 at 09:23 AM
That pink elephant paper is destroying me with it's cuteness! Love your collection, I always look for funky paper at estate sales, too. Your blog is one of my favorite places on the web, so full of delight! XO Laura
Posted by: Laura | June 16, 2011 at 09:36 AM
Show me your collection of vintage (antique?) cabinet cards, please.
Posted by: Anita Tinlin | June 16, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I LOVE the wrapping paper catalog! Makes my heart skip a beat! I must own one of those someday! If you ever decide to part with yours....or find another....
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 23, 2011 at 07:42 PM