If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know that I seek out vintage Christmas. Often tucked in the boxes or bins that I find are old boxes of Christmas ornament hooks. The boxes have great graphics, and I always tuck the boxes away...I have quite a collection of them now!
It always baffles me how a simple item like an ornament hook can have such a variety of manufacturers.
It makes sense that Shiny Brite would get on with the hook action.
Same size box. Different quantities. They must have figured out how to stuff an additional 25 in.
Ho, Ho, Ho..
This is my favorite box. I love the HAPPITIME name and the clock face as part of the logo. I think this is an earlier box, perhaps from the 1940s.
Santa Land hooks. I like the striped box the best.
This box is marked made in Italy and features a different style in plastic.
Another box from a foreign land. I believe this one is Dutch? The hook is also a different shape.
A couple more modern boxes
So many of these old boxes featured a price of 10 cents.
The wire used in the old hangers was also often much heavier than what is used today in hooks.
Long size and standard size. Have you learned a few new things with this post?
Another one of those collections that surprised me with how many I had and the variety.
As a side note look at all the different hooks. Certainly an array of them!
If you have an idea for a future collection challenge leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ____". I do collect some crazy things.
I have found a few boxes of these over the years and I actually use the hooks. They are much sturdier than traditional hooks so I feel much safer hanging my old ornaments with them.
How do you display them at Christmas?
~Erica
Posted by: Erica | July 30, 2013 at 07:26 AM
I have what I thought was a lot of these boxes, but now that I see all YOURS, I see that there are many, many more left for me to find. A nice blog reader just sent me a few boxes not too long ago too. I like to use the old ornament hangers on my tree too. They have a nice patina and seem more secure that the new wirey ones. This is one of my favorite posts!
Posted by: Shara | July 30, 2013 at 07:47 AM
Great collection! I always get excited when I see an old ornament hanger box too. i only have a few but they make me smile every year when I take them out. They also don't make those wire hangers like they used to!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 30, 2013 at 07:58 AM
!! Love how they look all grouped together -- what a fun little holiday display they make. Can you believe you're closing in on 200 collections!?
(I always learn something here!)
Posted by: Into Vintage | July 30, 2013 at 09:15 AM
I like the way they look all together, too. The graphics would make fun Christmas cards.
Posted by: Kathy | July 30, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Those boxes of ornament hooks would look so cute in a shadow box. What a darling collection - Who would of thought? I'd love to see your collection of charm bracelets if you have one.
Posted by: Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity | July 30, 2013 at 12:59 PM
I think I have 3 boxes which makes a collection, but who could match yours?? Love the foreign boxes.
Posted by: Annette | July 30, 2013 at 02:07 PM
Another great idea for a collection!
Posted by: Stacey Johnson | July 30, 2013 at 03:38 PM
Wonderful collection as always! I have several of the same boxes, and as some commenters have already mentioned, these vintage ornament hangers are sturdier than newer ones.
And yes, that one box is definitely Dutch! Though not of Dutch descent, I live in a town that was originally a Dutch colony, so I recognize the language. I knew that "kerst" meant Christmas, but googled the two words on your box to see what they meant. "Kerstboom" translates to "Christmas tree" and "haakjes" roughly translates to "hook".
Posted by: Aimee | July 30, 2013 at 06:16 PM
Wow great collection so many cool ones and afew i have not seen before.. i am glad i am not alone in collecting them. i agree there are quite a few out there and just when you think you see them all a new one pops up. I did a multi day post last xmas on mine,
http://tikiranch.blogspot.com/2012/12/hangers-20.html
Thanks for give us all great stuff to see and read about on your blog.
Posted by: Randy jones | July 30, 2013 at 07:50 PM
It would be a more beautiful world if companies designed boxes and other packaging like that still. All the different hook styles are pretty cool too. Who knew?! :-)
Posted by: Melissa | July 30, 2013 at 08:58 PM
Christmas in July post! Cute....love those little boxes of hooks! I have a few boxes too. More than three so I must have a collection too right? LOL They do look good displayed all together. I like how you even took them out of the box to show the variety of styles there are. These vintage hooks work better than the new ones that are too shiny. I grab boxes whenever I see them too. They look better on my vintage trees.
Thanks for sharing!
ps....I always learn something from your posts :-)
Posted by: Doreen | July 30, 2013 at 09:29 PM
So many boxes so little time to collect. Another wonderful collection. At what age did you first starting collecting vintage things? I ask because you have such a variety of items and it seems as if it would have taken many years to accumulate the number of collections you have.
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Remy | July 31, 2013 at 07:07 AM
Okay, who would have thought there were so many different types of ornament hooks? Not me. Awesome collection and great boxes.
Posted by: Maureen | July 31, 2013 at 09:21 AM
I am living in holland,always reading your blog and enjoying it,and that box sure is dutch.
Now i can"t wait till christmas time again.
Posted by: liesbeth | July 31, 2013 at 10:51 AM
A neat collection and I love all the graphics!! xo Heather
Posted by: Heather | August 04, 2013 at 08:34 PM
Totally amazing! I love any old packaging of Christmas items. Brings back great memories....
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | August 05, 2013 at 05:39 AM
I wonder how many of these I have tossed away without even paying attention to the
boxes sigh!!!!! I will pay more attention in the future.
Posted by: Su Gardner | August 16, 2013 at 11:23 AM