For as far back as I can remember, I have had a special place in my heart for the Hallmark store. It started even before I could form memories. It actually started before I was born, to be honest.
My grandmother began a tradition with her two daughters (my mom and her sister) of purchasing (or making) them each an ornament every year from the year they were born. The thought was that once they were grown and married they would have at least a few ornaments for their trees that first Christmas. As soon as Hallmark started selling Christmas ornaments (in 1973) my Gram began purchasing those.
