Bright Paper Packages – December 2016

‘Tis the season for Christmas-themed subscription boxes!

I’m unapologetic about how delighted I was to see that December’s Bright Paper Packages has adhered to all of my seasonal expectations. Don’t get me wrong- I love surprises, especially when they’re a little left of field – but when it comes to this time of year, there’s no avoiding it. I crave the comforting shapes, smells and sentiments of Christmas. Even with the theme predicted, I knew that the items inside the box would still present the unique and handmade trademarks that I’ve come to expect. So win-win.

Cracking into the cardboard box that arrived at my door, the first thing I spotted was the miniature Christmas stocking that hosted a small candy cane and a rolled up scroll, which was this month’s subscriber letter. The letter detailed the items included inside the layers of tissue and striped paper bags. Incidentally, the small stocking was the perfect size for my pet bird, whose cage lacked festive embellishments – but no longer!  Given the firm indication of the theme for the box, I was keen to explore just how the Bright Paper Packages team had manifested Christmas in one small container.

Every item is individually wrapped, so the act of peeking into each sweet shop bag felt like I was getting my presents early. I found myself just as excited by curiosity as if it were the morning of December 25 and the first gift was presented, freshly pulled from beneath the tree. I was hoping for a sweet treat and some eye-catching ornaments.

Bright Paper Packages: December 2016 Unboxed

• Bath pebbles from Southsea Bathing Hut
• Christmas decoration from Song of the Seam
• Organic milk chocolate bar from Coco Chocolatier
• Mulled cider spices from Suma
• Miniature stocking with subscriber letter and candy cane

Although I don’t take a lot of baths, I do love accumulating a plethora of bathing products to make the occasional bath an exceptional event. These bath pebbles look like small truffles – so literally good enough to eat – and are handsomely packaged in a small tin. They’re scented with cinnamon and vanilla spice, the perfect winter bouquet of aromas. They smell divine and they’re handmade from all natural ingredients. They’re so attractive and their fragrance is so soothing that I’m going to make time to take a bath over the Christmas period just to enjoy these.

My yearning for a colourful Christmas ornament was satisfied with the lovely Christmas tree from Song of the Seam. It’s a plush tree that could double as an adorable pin-cushion, incorporating a real cinnamon stick as its trunk. It’s patterned with a bright, modern geometric fabric and – again – smells like the season, with a natural scent of cinnamon. This looks great hanging from the garland adorning our mantelpiece, giving off a gentle scent of Christmas.

And following the beautiful ornament, my second wish was fulfilled with a bar of luxurious milk chocolate from Coco Chocolatier. I’m familiar with their chocolate, but this particular flavour – Christmas Spice – was new and intriguing. Made from organic chocolate and a bundle of festive spices that includes nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and star anise, the creamy milk chocolate imparted hints of warmth. The bar didn’t last long and it really hit that ‘seasonal treat’ spot going down well with a mug of hot chocolate. I’m already looking for another.

Finally, the last item was a package of mulled cider spices from Suma. Although advertised for mulled cider, they work equally as well with apple juice or red wine, so there’s something to tinkle everyone’s palate on a frosty winter’s night. Spices are balled together in a thin linen casing, meaning they can be dropped into the liquid of choice directly for a mess-free and fuss-free treat. They are packaged very handsomely as well, looking like something that would catch your eye at a market and that you’d be ecstatic to find in your own stocking. Good thing the Bright Paper Packages team seem to know me so well!

There are two Bright Paper Packages subscription options: the standard monthly box and the Bright New Year option, delivering twelve monthly surprise items directly to a recipient of your choice. The regular Bright Paper Packages subscription is available at £20 with shipping included for a one-off purchase (and other subscription options are also available at £57 for three months, £111 for six and £216 for one year, all including UK shipping). The Bright New Year is available for a one-off payment of £100 (with shipping included in the UK).

Unlike that pair of socks that you’re gifted at Christmas (but never wear) or the lipstick that is a shade you’ve never worn (or been fond of – does your boyfriend’s mum really know you at all?), each of these items are beautiful, fun and will find a good home on my shelf, in my cup, or in my stomach. I tell my relatives to stick to gift certificates when struggling to find me a gift, but I’m confident and contented to put my trust in my Bright Paper Packages box to deliver little stocking stuffers that are worth hanging up the stocking for.

So if still on the hunt for the perfect gift this Christmas, now’s a good time to remind you that there *are* gift subscriptions available.