A shopper picked up an ‘old’ box from a charity shop but after taking it home, they were quickly ‘tearing up’ after discovering the touching, handwritten message written on the bottom of it
A charity shop customer was left “tearing up” after buying a vintage wooden box and discovering a heartfelt, handwritten message penned on its underside. Charity and thrift stores can prove to be goldmines for clothing, keepsakes and personal items, with countless shoppers hunting for affordable yet quality pieces.
One bargain-seeking customer spotted a “well made little box” at a Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) charity shop and was moved by the message scrawled on its base. The shopper feels “honoured” to own it and has vowed to become its “caretaker”.
The customer shared their discovery on Reddit, posting pictures of the box and the poignant, handwritten note, admitting it made them “tear up”. This follows another charity shopper who discovered an old Playboy magazine featuring a Donald Trump interview while they were bargain hunting.
The shopper who discovered the box simply titled their social media post: “Made me tear up”.
In the description below photographs of the piece, they wrote: “Found this at SVDP. It is a beautiful, well made little box. Smells very nice.
“I wish I could find who it belonged to, but sadly there is no identifying information, other than the date of death.”
The inscription on the box’s bottom reads: “This was what Grandma promised you for your birthday. Grandpa, June 17 – 1961”. A further message, penned in different handwriting, reveals: “Grandma passed away March 19, 1961”.
Reddit users were quick to share their thoughts in the comments section. One person said: “I am so glad you found it, I hope you took it home with you.
“I too am a collector of these sorts of memories belonging to others. Personalised notes in books and keepsakes always find their way back to my house.”
The shopper responded: “That I did. I use it to house special, sentimental scraps of things I’ve collected throughout life. It also holds some ashes. It’s a special little box, and I’m honoured to be its caretaker!”
Another person suggested: “The person who was gifted this in 1961 likely kept it her whole life and recently passed herself, probably in her 70s.
“It’s nice that that grandfather’s care lives on.”
A different Reddit user commented: “I think it made it to the right person. You should consider writing down the date and place you got it, and any little tidbits about yourself, and tucking that inside.”
Yet another shared: “Glad you appreciate it. I have pieces of furniture like this with my grandpa’s writing on the underside and I wonder what would happen to it when I’m gone.”
