Hallmark Tells 13-Year-Olds They’ll Get Boyfriends When They Have ‘Bigger Boobies’ [Photo]

Hallmark UK issued an apology Friday afternoon after an author tweeted a picture of a card for teenage girls that said they would get a boyfriend if they had “bigger boobies.”

The card was printed by Creative Publishing, a Hallmark acquisition, and read: “You’re 13 today! If you had a rich boyfriend, he’d give you diamonds and rubies. Well, maybe next year you will — when you’ve bigger boobies!”

Novelist Mauren Johnson posted a picture of the card, with the message, “Dear @HallmarkPR, SERIOUSLY???? #letsmessgirlsupearlywithcards.” The post was retweeted more than 1,000 times.

It was initially reported that Johnson found the card, but she later tweeted that she was not the one who made the discovery.

Hallmark was quick to apologize for the card and agreed that it was inappropriate. They said, however, that the card had not been published in the last 15 years, and said they were surprised it was still being sold.

In a statement, David Dean, managing director of Hallmark UK subsidiary Hambledon Studios, said:

“This card was produced by Creative Publishing prior to Hallmark Cards acquiring the company in 1998. We are as surprised and horrified as anyone else to have discovered that there are still copies in circulation. The card has not been produced for over 15 years and would never pass our own strict guidelines of taste and appropriateness. We would like to assure all our customers that we will do everything in our power to track down remaining copies.”

Several consumers threatened to boycott the company, and called the rhyme “shocking,” “horrid,” “sick,” and “gross.” Johnson, however, said Hallmark had been good about explaining what happened. “Hallmarkgate is actually over, if you want it,” she said.