Bright Paper Packages – May 2017: Fruit

Let me start by saying that May’s Bright Paper Packages is bittersweet. The good? Well, it’s as you’d expect: another charming theme, this month revolving around fruit. Fruit is vibrant and carefree, lending a design motif that can be used across a number of products. And you can guarantee that there will be some beautiful items inside, given their commitment to working with UK-based designers and manufacturers and uncovering some unique pieces for subscribers to covet.

However, this month’s box contained a surprise that did bring some sadness as well. Helena, Bright Paper Packages’ founder, includes a note to explain that this will be the last shipment. After the arrival of her baby, she is taking a well-deserved break from the business. Although I lament the news, I am grateful to have enjoyed so many exciting and thoughtful boxes to date. And so I wish Helena all the best in her journey as a mother.

Although it was the last edition of the service, May’s Bright Paper Packages box still knocked it out of the park. With a fruit theme, the items tucked away inside were guaranteed to brighten any subscriber’s day.

Bright Paper Packages – May 2017

• A pineapple scarf from Earth Squared
• A watermelon and mint tea scrub from Wild Olive
• Two chocolate bars from Daisy & Dam
• A subscriber card

The first item is a jaw-dropping, gorgeous scarf from Earth Squared, a company committed to supporting fair trade principles. Made from cosy cotton and boasting a colourful pineapple motive, this is a very wearable skinny style that can be thrown on to dazzle up any bland outfit. Earth Square has been working with fair trade partners in Vietnam for 13 years, meaning that this is a wardrobe piece with a conscience. The quality of this stunning scarf is incredible and it’s a perfect large item to be included in this ultimate box. It embodies the characteristics of the Bright Paper Packages ethos entirely: vibrant, fun and useful.

Following this, the watermelon and mint scrub from Wild Olive is the type of luxury that I always like receiving (as I’m reticent to treat myself with bathing products). The scrub is handmade and bursting with the scent of juicy watermelon and invigorating mint. The packaging is eye-catching and this is a real treat for a quiet night in pampering session. Because it’s natural, this won’t harm my sensitive skin, so bonus.

Chocolate never goes amiss, especially the delicious bars from Daisy & Dam – these have appeared in Bright Paper Packages before and have gone down exceptionally well. Their chocolate is made in small batches by a South London chocolate producer and often defies your sense with slightly unusual ingredients. Two small 40 g bars were included in this month’s box, the glorious coconut & lucuma, a crunchy dark chocolate opus, and the velvety date & Himalayan pink salt, set in milk chocolate. I won’t lie, both disappeared very quickly.

And with that, I say goodbye to Bright Paper Packages and hope that Helena once again finds the time to launch another endeavour – unfortunately, there will be no further boxes available for purchase, but there are special Lucky Dip boxes currently on offer, which promise £70 worth of previous box items for £20 with postage. It’s a very good deal, so take advantage of this.

Thank you to Helena and the Bright Paper Packages team for offering one of the best curated boxes of unique surprises around.