What does Christmas look like to you? It was the late 1960s, and Joyce Byers, an amateur artist with a degree in fashion design, was disappointed in what she saw in the stores: aluminum tinsel trees with flashy blue lights. She was looking for holiday decorations with a warmth that showed respect for timeless traditions and her memories of Christmas.

The first Carolers graced the Byers’ dining room table that Christmas and received compliments from all the relatives. Joyce knew what to make for presents on a tight budget the following year. A neighbor suggested taking some to a local store, where they sold quickly. The store was part of a federation of women’s Exchanges and introduced the Carolers to other exchanges around the country. Soon, a couple of dozen stores around the country asked Joyce to supply them with Carolers.