A Swap or Three and Lots of Happy Mail

The Breadman and I quit buying presents for each other a long time ago.  Well, that's not completely true, I usually get him a Razorback T-shirt or a package of socks (I AM SO THOUGHTFUL!) because I feel bad if he doesn't get something.  Not getting presents from him doesn't really bother me because he says he doesn't  have a clue what to get me.  Which is pretty funny that after 26 years of knowing each other he truly doesn't have a clue what I like or what to get me. But, it is sadly very true.   I also don't mind any gifts from him because almost every single day for the past week I have received the most incredible boxes of Happy Mail and a few swaps that have just delighted me beyond words.  It's almost bordering on ridiculous the amount of love and fuzzy feelings I have had this past week.

I joined in on a Vintage Christmas Swap on Instagram.  It was different because we weren't allowed to make contact with the person we were sending our package to plus we would be receiving a package from a completely different person.  I didn't have the highest hopes for this swap since it was kind of an unknown thing - but it turned out great!

I got a set of bubble lights, two great vintage pine cone themed trays and that AWESOME Santa candy container.  I thought it was funny that he had tennis rackets on his feet.  HA.  They are snowshoes - but I really DID think they were tennis rackets!  Can you tell I am not accustom to much snow?  The person I sent to seemed really pleased with what I sent her, so that made me happy too.

A few blog entries back I showed a set of Christmas curtains that I had thrifted and Kim commented that she loved them.  Since I had no real plans for them, I suggested a little swap between us.  I sent her the curtains, a necklace that I made and something else - so I was just expecting a tiny bit of a swap.  

But, instead, this big box chock full of vintage goodness arrived and I was stunned!  Hand made goodies, vintage Christmas and the HOLY GRAIL - a tablecloth!  So many sweet thoughtful things. Thank you Kim!  

Last week a box arrived from my friend Sue.  We have been friends forever and she is always sending me sweet things.  She rescued a couple watermelon potholders and sent them to a GOOD HOME.  There was also CHOCOLATE, a lovely necklace, a sweet little Santa and a vintage Christmas apron which I quickly added to my collection.  Thank you Sue!

Okay are you still with me on this?

Yesterday a big heavy box arrived from my friend Chanelle who reads this blog and is active on IG. 

She knows all the things I love and collect and is always on the lookout at the thrifts in  the Chicago area for me.  She shares all her flea market-y magazines with me and then I pass them on to Lara (who actually KNOWS Chanelle from Chicago).  She found several of the souvenir ashtrays I love so much, vintage birthday party napkins, vintage Santa sleigh cake decorations, a tiny card holder with clothespins, a funny Santa and..............

Nine......NINE...strands of glass garland.  Yards and yards of it.  I have never seen so much of it at once in my life!  She told me to try to sell it at one of my shows.  Uh.  No thank you.  I shall keep it forever and ever and ever.  :)  Thank you Chanelle!

Hang on, I'm almost done, except this one is a BEAUT.  

I asked on here if anyone wanted to do a Vintage Christmas Swap and a few signed up.  I tossed the names in a hat and wound up swapping with Marci.  Marci came and sold at the last Junk Ranch so I had the opportunity to actually meet her.  She is great and we have a great love of junk and the same sort of collections.  Her house is fantastic!

My mouth was agape at the HUGE box that arrived and the gorgeous contents that spilled out.  

I am a total sucker for packaging and making each little thing look like a jewel on it's own.  Marci is an EXCELLENT wrapper uppper.  Everything was gorgeous!  

She recently blogged about buying "Kick Ass Boots" on Black Friday  - so she sent me stuff IN her Kick ass boots box  I got a chuckle out of that.  :D

She made me my very own stocking!  Out of chenille!  I love it!!!!!

And, inside the stocking - a huge Christmas-y plaid Thermos.  

She sent me an Annalee cat as a reminder of my sweet Little Lady we recently lost.  I was oohing and ahhing over my vintage stuff and then I was bawling like a baby.  So sweet.  Lord, I miss that baby girl.

A vintage Christmas light box.  This has been the ONE vintage package that has eluded me all these years.  I have NEVER found a Light box.  And, then BAM - her one is in my hand.  Love those lights too  - the red beads are a nice touch.  

So, you are thinking - "Wow! That's a lot - how nice of her!"  Well, silly, you have only seen the TIP of the iceberg!

SO MUCH GOOD STUFF.

Candy containers, spun heads, a kneehugger, a coloring book, a bottle brush tree, a vintage tin and on and on and on.  

And on and on and on.  

Old Spun Glass Angel Hair  - are you KIDDING ME?

That elf in a SHOE?  Come ON!

And a tiny box full of wee spun heads and glittered boots and teeny jingle bells and a CORSAGE and so much other fun, fun stuff.  I was really just amazed at all the goodness in that box.  *Also there were a bunch of Sea Salt Caramels and Candy Canes that I have hidden and will NOT be sharing with anyone.....'cause - CARAMELS!  Thank you so, so much Marci!

So, see?  I feel like I have already had the BEST Christmas EVER.  What is better than vintage Christmas and the love from friends, blog friends and new friends?  Nothing, that's what.  

(((Hugs))) to all of YOU!