Thinking of giving gifts . . .

Green stamps?! Mercy yes, I sure do remember them. And as a matter of fact, I still have 2 full books worth...why I'm saving them I haven't a clue, lol. (I think because it reminds me of simpler times when I was growing up) I don't remember everything we got with them, but I do remember this big cylinder shaped Scotch cooler we got. I still have it and it's almost in perfect shape yet. Then we got the matching plaid coffee thermos that went with it (yep, still have that too lol) Remember when gas stations used to have the promotions where with each tank you got dishes, glasses, or silverware? I used to have all that up until a few years ago, then I gave it to some family who needed dishware etc. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I haven't thought about green stamps and those freebies in years!

Hi Sweets, Tomorrow is my B-day and I soooo want something that resembles a happy life! I think about how I will be alone forever..I spent my goodlooking years on the that lying.cheating husband!..Who in the world will ever want this wrinkled,sagging,scarred bellied ole woman? And would I ever trust anyone again? xoxoxoxoxo

That is such a SWEET story! I can just see this little girl taking care of her elephant. Yes, I remember the green stamps. I was born in the 1960's and I may have sort of come in on the tail end of that. I honestly don't remember what my mom got with those, but it seems like quite a few things. But I never got an elephant with them.

I did a long response to this discussion, then when I hot "post response", it disappeared and a sign up page came up, wanting me to log in. I have logged in twice already. How annoying.

Oh I remember trading stamps..We used to have Greenshield stsmps whn I was growing up lol.My parents would always buy either kitchen utensils or some funny gadget.You know what men are likje with gadgets lol, which we kids at that time used to find very amusing and always were curious as to what they would pick up next. Sopmetimes we would have a choice in the purchase which also was quite fun.

I do remember them! How funny that I haven't thought about them in years! The only particular gift I remember buying with green stamps was when I was in high school and a friend had got married then quit school and got her GED and was having a baby. Our Junior class all brought in all the green stamps we could beg from everyone we knew. We put them all together and ended up with enough books to purchase a baby crib and linens to go in it, a mobile to hang, a diaper pail, and a stroller for her. It was fun. The girls were wetting them with a washcloth, and the guys were seeing how many they could lick without getting a drink first. The girls kept saying YUCK...you don't know where those came from! People had dropped off bags and envelopes full of them at the school!

I remember my mother bringing them home and we would lick them and put them into books for her. I don't recall any purchases being made with them. Maybe she bought things for herself.

I had an Uncle that supplied his whole living room from the old S & H green stamps. he also saved the coupons from Old Gold smokes and got a new TV stereo combo back in the 70's. I used the Marlboro coupons for many items as well. aS FAR AS GIFTS, i AM THE ONE THAT LOVES TO GIVE GIFTS. i EVEN BUY ME SOMETHING FROM sANTA EVERY YEAR. hahaha!! HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~

Not being American, no I don't remember these things. I don't know even if we had a similar system for obtaining goods and food in post war Australia.

Those little green stamps bring back a flood of mostly forgotten thoughts and images. There were a couple brown-sugar maple leaves in the drawer next to them, some toothpicks, and a little box of food coloring. But I don't remember the family ever actually getting anything for the stamps. Maybe we never saved up enough of them, since we grew most of our own food. I don't even remember where the stamps came from, just that we were trying to save them.

From when i was very little i alway wanted to have a puppy...a dog, a cat, lol even an elephant!! Maybe because sometimes at home i feel lonely, or maybe because I need someone to take care of..^^

GardenGerty. You are one brave gal!! LOL You're telling your age with those green trading stamps!! Oh I'm so laughing!! Yesss I remember those days and how I really miss them too because they were the laid back easy going days. My mom saved them too and got a bunch of different things such as pots and pans, towels, toys and so on and on. I wonder why they went out of business or what ever did happen to them? Fond memories that's for sure.

Oh, gracious yes, I do remember S&H green stamps lol. My grandma would let us kids put them in the books for her. She bought gifts with them all through the year as well as household items for herself. As for me my favorite gift (yeah, I know it's a bit odd) is a gift certificate, and here where I live, my favorites are Dairy Queen, Michael's craft store and WalMart. When I receive them I rarely use them right away. Instead I save them and use them for those pick-me-up shopping trips, and always use them for something I don't HAVE to have but just want and can't justify the expense as a necessity lol. My Dairy Queen ones get used very quickly because I am a confessed Blizzard junkie :-). WalMart is great cause I can buy something useful or just go and buy a huge steak or expensive food treat for a splurge dinner. Michael's is self-explanatory for any craft junkie like me. I also remember when gifts meant planning and sacrifice. To this day one of my most prized possessions is a 16 volume recipe set my mom got for me. It meant she had to spare that few dollars on a single mom of three's salary and had to do so every week for 16 weeks at Winn Dixie grocery. After 30+ years I still use them and love them and they still occupy a place of honor in any kitchen where I have lived.