The Greatest Gift - a true American classic & holiday inspiration

Every Thanksgiving weekend, I love to get into the holiday spirit by decorating our house, putting up our Christmas tree and watching a few holiday movies. While we usually opt for a comedic classic like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (who doesn't love Cousin Eddie?), this year we chose a true holiday inspiration – It’s a Wonderful Life.  Just last week I read “The Greatest Gift”, the short story on which the movie is based and recently had the pleasure of learning the incredible story behind both the book & movie from one of our retailers, Graphic Image, which has reprinted this timeless tale for us all to share with loved ones this holiday season.


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{adapted from Graphic Image}

In 2009, Tom Glazer, the owner of Graphic Image, found among his father’s literary possessions, an author signed original of one of the first copies of The Greatest Gift – a short holiday novella written in 1943 by a little known author Philip Van Doren Stern who, after having it rejected by The Saturday Evening Post as well as many other magazines, decided to print (200) 4-page pamphlets himself & send them out to family and friends as Christmas cards that year.

In March 1944, Stern received a Western Union telegram with a serious offer to purchase the move rights to The Greatest Gift. $50,000 later, the Hollywood screenplay by Frank Capra was underway and the story that was once a Christmas card is now one of our most beloved holiday stories of all time known as It's a Wonderful Life – a twentieth century story about a man saved from despair by a mysterious stranger who gives him a precious opportunity to understand the difference that his unassuming life makes to the world and those around him, celebrating the difference that each life, no matter how simply lived, can make.

Now, almost 75 years later, this timeless inspiration to the American movie classic is available for the first time as a recreation of the 1943 edition with the original story, as it was written, along with remastered drawings of Rafaello Bussoni’s original woodcut illustrations printed in vintage two color presswork as well as a personal account of its history by the author’s daughter, Marguerite Stern Robinson, describing how this wonderful novella became one of the most popular short stories of all time.

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(100) paper cover limited editions are available for purchase at Papier Gourmet ($25 - while they last!) or leather cover versions can be special ordered and personalized with the lucky recipient’s name or initials ($55 + personalization) - as featured in Martha Stewart Living (Nov 2011). A wonderful reminder to friends and family at this most special time of year of what is truly most important. Consider my heart warmed (and hopefully yours too!) and my Christmas shopping complete. :)

- Pamela


{images courtesy of Graphic Image}

20% off Unique Personalized Wood Holiday Cards from Night Owl Paper Goods

Looking for a way to really WOW your friends & family this holiday season?  Try a unique holiday card printed on eco-friendly sustainably harvested wood from Night Owl Paper Goods!  With a HUGE selection of designs - modern, classic, fun & folksy - there is a style for everyone (& every photo!)  Hurry in this week & you'll get the added bonus of saving 20% off your personalized Night Owl Paper Goods holiday card order!  But don't wait, the sale ends this Sunday, 11/20.  Don't have a photo yet or not sure what sentiment you want include?  No problem!  Place your order now to take advantage of the savings & we'll send in your text or photo later.  You can even opt to have a 2012 calendar printed for free on the backside.  Have your own holiday card design?  We can submit your own custom design to be printed on a wood card & still take advantage of the sale.  It's truly a win-win for everyone!

(Standard turn-around time is 10 business days from proof approval.  See in-store to view the full selection of card designs.  Paper holiday card designs available as well if wood isn't your thing.)

Check out a small sampling of some of the fantastic designs below, in the store or our Facebook album on our Facebook page (here).



Crane's Stationery Sale - 50 for $99

Now that November is upon us (and therefore the holiday shopping season!) it's time to start making your shopping list & checking it twice.  And what is the perfect gift for everyone on your list - young and old, classic or modern?  Why, personalized stationery, of course!  In our digital and technological age, there is nothing better than receiving a handwritten note in the mail so why not outfit all your loved ones with stationery representative of their individual personalities?  This year Crane's has brought back their popular 50 for $99 Holiday Stationery Sale making the gift of personalized stationery truly affordable!  Now through December 24th, order 50 personalized notes or correspondence cards with lined envelopes for just $99!  With 12 predesigned templates, 4 different paper stocks (select from a folded note or flat correspondence card in either pearlwhite or ecruwhite) and 7 ink colors and matching envelope liners, the possibilities are endless!  Or design your own using any of Crane's lettering styles, monograms or motifs.  You can even add a printed return adress on the envelope backflap for just $40!  Stop in today and let one of our sales associates help you get a jumpstart on your shopping list!  At a savings of over 30%, it's a sale not to be missed!