Bright Paper Packages – November 2016: Hello Winter!

Yes, we’re painfully aware of the fact that it’s November. Winter is no longer a latent, creeping threat and reality has sunk in. On goes the heating, on goes another layer and on goes the relentless bombardment of Christmas paraphernalia. We are overstimulated, daylight deprived and – most of all – cold. We’ll get used to the drop in temperatures eventually, but the first kiss of frost and sight of our own breath billowing in the icy morning air is alarming. We need something to help soften the transition into fully-fledged winter. That solace can come in a number of guises, including this month’s Bright Paper Packages box.

Everything I need for survival is right here: colour, warmth and chocolate. Swaddled in a jacket of delicate tissue, the box’s items are each wrapped with care, giving little indication of what treasures are contained within. The subscriber card is always the first hint, always illustrated according to the box’s theme. November heralds something cosy: a jumper embroidered with ‘Hello Winter’, looking inviting enough to throw on and lounge in front of a roaring fire. It looks like the Bright Paper Packages team have curated the perfect November box to help us embrace and enjoy the season.

Each of the three items included in the package is slowly unwrapped; it seems like Christmas has arrived a month early. But there’s something nice knowing that you’re guaranteed to like these gifts, which are little treats to spoil yourself with no false thank-yous required.

Bright Paper Packages: November 2016

• A small water bottle from Mandoux
• Tea-lights from Northumbrian Candleworks
• Hot chocolate shot from Gnaw
• Subscriber card

The first item was the most adorable hand-woven alpaca hot water bottle from Mandoux. It’s a miniature take, enveloped in the softest and snuggest casing that will make this perfect to plop in your lap or bury in your bed. Not only does it ooze charm in bundles, but the alpaca yarn is sustainable, fair trade and hand-woven in Ecuador. I can emphasise how unbelievably soft it is to the touch – and it turns out that alpaca wool is five times softer than regular wool and also hypoallergenic.  I absolutely adore this and I’ve never seen such a pintsized hot water bottle that’s perfect to quickly fill and hold close. I can assure you that this will get plenty of use throughout the winter months.

The second item is another win, a package of six tea lights from Northumbrian Candleworks. They’re scented with mimosa and mandarin and tap into this year’s hygge movement with their gentle aromas and flickering warmth. They are handmade with GM-free soy wax, making them little luxuries that put my default IKEA tea lights to shame. Like many, I go candle happy in the winter, so these will provide soothing comfort and therapy on the next cosy night in. The aroma is very enticing, not being too artificial or unusual. It’s warm and inviting.

Finally, the third item is going to be a guaranteed hit with all subscribers; a hot chocolate shot from Gnaw, which is a handcrafted block of chocolate on a stick that melts upon contact with boiling milk, even coming with some mini marshmallows on the side. The chocolate used is good quality, ensuring a rich, creamy and indulgent mug to elevate spirits on a frigid evening. I’ve prominently placed mine beside the kettle, to be used next time I come home late and feel chilled to the bone.

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).

November’s box contains the emergency rations that we all need to endure winter. The collection of items is lovely, demonstrating the covetable touch of being handmade and beautifully rendered. All will be used and all will be loved, so I once again applaud Bright Paper Packages for hitting the nail on the head. I’m now ready to hibernate (very happily).