A Curious Christmas! Box #243

"My Curiosity Box arrived on December 23rd, and I literally squealed with delight when the post clerk gave it over--she gave me an understandable funny look so I explained the premise of the project to her and her colleague.  The lady who happened to be standing in line behind me even got in on the conversation, and they were all pretty interested at what we were all doing!

My giver sent along a great little note with my package:

"Hello fellow Curiosity Boxer-I do hope you like your box.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas!"

 Enclosed:

a little bit of England-our Union Jack in a 1m ribbon and two friendly Robins on a telephone box (I'm going to have to think up a cool craft project for that ribbon!!)

cute notebook-a design copy of the famous (in England) Ladybird books, please make notes and ideas and thoughts (this is awesome because I go back to work from maternity leave in February and if I don't jot a note, the idea is lost forever!)

cool camera necklace so a little part of your business can be with you whenever and wherever you wish! (My husband and I own the photography studio in our town, and it would so flippin' cool if I could actually have a red camera!)

gorgeous glittery stars for Xmas decorations around the house (promptly added to the tree!)

sweet "Rabbit" blue tea-cosy for your little boy to use once he starts having boiled egg and soldiers [(presume you'll know what "soldiers" are?) I hadn't a clue! I originally thought they were sausages, but dear old Google has since showed me the way of toast cutting!]

Boiled egg and soldiers RULE!

delightful wooden reindeer, attach to Xmas presents maybe

marvellous glittery blue (for a boy) present boxes for hanging-boxes inside your curiosity box? A must!

amazing reindeer hanger for Xmas tree or a cupboard door or for sitting on the floor! (these are adorable!  Their little legs move!)

super snowman globe-ssssshake!!! (I have lost count how many times he's been ssssshook since last Friday!)

lovely Bird Xmas hanger-hey, might be a clue to my name...(I'm thrilled to bits about all the tree ornaments!  We bought all new red ornaments this year, and they fit in delightfully!)

and finally-London 2012 Olympics chocolate-wow, roll on July 27th 2012 (nice Cadbury's chocolate, England makes the best-and one for the husband too!) This final gift brought tears to my eyes.  I was one of the medical personnel at the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia and these wee little chocolates brought back a flood of wonderful memories of the amazing people I met and the life changing experience I had."

Mrs. B x

A Curious Christmas! Box #242

"Firstly, we would like to apologise for the delay in blogging this box, the festive season has been rather crazy this year and time (as usual) has sped past. 

Secondly, I should explain who 'we' is. My name is Freya and I took part in the first curiosity project, when I told my mum all about it, she immediately wanted to get involved! So, this time around we did the project together as a little joint effort. It was especially exciting as I am at university in Manchester, so when I heard the box had arrived it was so exciting to know it will be home when I arrived back too!

Eventually, the time came and it was so worth the wait... 

A beautiful little card from our sender read; 

To my curious friend,

I hope this box fills you with festive cheer. 

Everything in your box was made in Wales, especially the knitted things which I made myself!

Merry Christmas!

xxx

Our box included... 

❉ Some Luxury Cream and Butter Fudge (Handmade!) in the shape of an angel

❉ The sweetest little knitted tree which proudly took place in our living room right next to our tree

❉ Sitting beside the tree this Christmas was the cutest little companion in the form of a robin, who bobbed around all Christmas on his little springy legs

❉ Also, the sweetest Christmas decorations, a knitted stocking and a rather wise looking Father Christmas who joined our tree as soon as they were opened

❉ Some absolutely exquisite soap, which smells like a little Christmas dream!

❉ A robin hook, whom is currently in limbo about his new home. I'd like him in Manchester with me, but it seems I have some competition and mum too would like him here with her in Suffolk.

The thought that has been put into our box is clear, and so appreciated. To know everything is from Wales and some things even made by our sender is so special! Truly a box worth waiting to open (not that we were able to wait very long at all). 

A huge thank you to our sender, and a special mention about the card, which is made from SheepPooPaper! 

We both hope our sender had a very Merry Christmas, and has a Happy New Year and thank them so so much for all the little treats we have received. They truly are going to be loved for life (apart from the fudge, which we may possibly kind of sort of eaten......!!) 

:)

Freya and Alison.

xxx

(and Iggy the retired greyhound, who joined us for his first Christmas in a home this year and seems to have sneaked his long nose into one of our photographs!)"

A Curious Christmas! Box #241

 "About to walk out the door to head up North for Christmas and was feeling a little disappointed that my box had not arrived, when the buzzer went and the postman had a package for me, I ran down to get it and was so excited to see it was a curiosity box!

I had no time to open it so I packed it into my case and we headed for the North.

As soon as we arrived I opened it, most excitedly, and what a beautiful treat it was too.

Everything was wrapped so beautifully and individually. My wonderful curious sender had written her favourite quote on the wrapping paper "I perhaps owe having become a painter, to flowers" - Claude Monet'

I love absolutely everything, it is all very me, very christmassy and just perfect. The wax dipped apple is amazing, the oranges and cinnamon are the quintessential smell of christmas and. The book on David Austin Roses is perfect - I  ❤  them, the soap, the bells, the mistletoe, its all just perfect, thank you so much to whoever put such love and affection into my box. 

Thank You Curious Friend, and have a very happy 2012."

Shelly

xxx

A Curious Christmas! Box #240

"After what seemed like a hesitant knock (I was watching TV in my bedroom, so I couldn't be sure), the mailman finally rang my doorbell and delivered my curiosity box to me! I was instantly delighted to discover it had travelled to me all the way from Poland.

The first thing I noticed upon lifting the lid was how nice it smelled (thanks to the handful of cinnamon tea lights that were enclosed).  Everything was wrapped lovingly with different patterned papers, ribbons, small notes, and teensy paper hearts. It was very sweet and reflected the amount of thought and care my curious friend put into it.

After taking a few obligatory shots, I opened everything with great delight.  Some of the highlights include:

- a set of coasters featuring tan and buff gentlemen in bathing suits

- a penguin stuffed animal

- an awesome booklet of temporary tattoos

- a floral button

- a sweet hand warmer with a little owl carrying pouch

- an array of delightfully textured and coloured envelopes

- an adorable little reindeer

- a postcard from Poland

- the cutest stuffed rainbow caterpillar I have ever seen

- an assortment of edibles (chocolate, tea)

There was an itty-bitty piggy bank that regrettably did not survive the trip.  It came apart in a few solid pieces so I will try my best to give him a second chance at life (thank you, super glue!)  The piggy bank did, however, contain some Polish currency, which I thought was a nice touch.

My favourite item is the book about Poland. As an avid traveller, I love learning about places I've never visited. When I was putting together my box I tried to incorporate as much of my country as possible, and I love that my curious friend incorporated a bit of her home as well!

Thanks for the sweet box, curious friend!  I always feel a little blue once Christmas is over, and receiving your box this week was a refreshing way to keep the holidays going just a little bit longer."

A Curious Christmas! Box #239

"Hello!

I love my box, I was so looking forward to receiving it. I'd been checking the post box every single day, praying for a little red card from Royal Mail stating that they had tried to deliver.

My smile came after Christmas. I'd had a long journey home. There it was, waiting at my front door for me.

I love the contents, the maker had taken a lot of care and thought. Thank you so much!"

Kerry X x

A Curious Christmas! Box #238

"Dear Miss Curiosity

 I received my Christmas curiosity box on 21 December. It was lined with purple tissue and each little present was wrapped with Christmas wrapping, green ribbon and a little message label. 

The box contained some organic Earl Grey tea, my favourite, a purple penguin notebook - again exactly the kind of retro stationery I love ( I still love to use a fountain pen when I write) some little badges with cupcakes and tea type slogans, cupcake cases with toppers from the Nutcracker - again so appropriate as this is one of my favourite ballets and I am going to see it for the umpteenth time at the Royal Opera House in January, some miniature praline chocolates and some chocolate gold coins. 

It is a wonderful idea to receive an anonymous gift at Christmas - many thanks to you and to my curious friend!"

A Curious Christmas! Box #237

"Shortly before Christmas (apologies for the delay in sending this in) I was waiting for the gas man to arrive to fix the boiler, so was delighted to find that the knock on the door was actually the post lady with a Curiously addressed parcel! The gas man arrived a few minutes later and found me unwrapping presents on the living room floor...

In the smaller Christmassy box were my favourite things; three small, delicate and quite beautiful vintage glasses - what the picture doesn't tell is that they have a pinky hue and a floral engraving [The sender suggested they would be good for ginger wine.... it just so happens I drink this all the time, I love the stuff!]

The DVD is the sender's favourite, she's on a mission to make the whole world see it. Unfortunately I haven't managed it yet - but hopefully this weekend I will!

The tinned candle has given the room a lovely aroma. The handmade tree decoration is adorable and was hung prominently, and the cookie cutters were used by my daughter. The handwarmer is just the cutest thing ever in it's little woolly jacket!

Thank you, sender, and a Happy New Year to you."

x

A Curious Christmas! Box #236

"I was very excited when I got home from work and my mum greeted me with 'your box has arrived!' She had been looking at it on the kitchen table all day and was just as excited as me to get it open and find out what was inside.

It was wrapped in lovely Christmas paper, it felt like my first christmas present :)

Inside were 5 individually wrapped presents. These were:

*2 beautifully handmade (well they definitely looked handmade) stockings with pearl buttons on.

*A red stocking with some chocolate coins in.

*A red tea light candle, which smells lovely.

*A glass snowflake decoration, which is gorgeous!

I love Christmas decorations so all these presents were a great addition to this years tree!

Thank you very much to my Curiosity friend :)" 

xxx   

A Curious Christmas! Box #235

"My curiosity box was one of the highlights of the holiday season (for everyone in my family)!

The box arrived the evening of Christmas eve's eve right when I was getting into the holiday baking routine. I wasn't able to snap a picture of the super-cool newspaper wrapped box as my toddler daughter had recently discovered the joy of unwrapping things. I got to unwrap the rest myself and what I found was delightful! 

My curious friend often travels and I received a myriad of treats from afar! Strawberry & banana jelly from the UAE! Belgian chocolate (how did she know that I'm a chocoholic??). Holiday chocolate bars!

And what I consider the most amazing gift - real nutmeg from Indonesia!!! What timing! Added to some of my baking - wonderful!

I received one of the prettiest books I've ever owned - all about flowers! I mentioned in my about me how I love 'the old arts' and was my gift-giver perfectly right on the money. Winter just begun but this book has me so excited about spring. 

Also included were marbles! I haven't seen marbles in years! I do have fond memories of playing with them in the school yard and look forward to teaching my daughter. Another thoughtful inclusion was a miniature tea set that my curious friend wrote that she found in the rain!! I quickly hid it from view for a plan I quickly hatched...more on that later. A floral printed cup held the chocolate bars will now be 'my' morning juice cup. I love to share, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to have a special cup all my own :) And last but not least a really neatly designed postcard from Germany! So exciting to have all these beautiful and thoughtful items sent to our humble home in Canada. 

Now, back to the tea set... I saved it for Christmas morning and set it up with a little Christmas mouse in a gift tent from Santa: 

My daughter was so thrilled to be invited for tea by her new friend! The mini tea set has become a fast favourite. 

So much thanks to my curious friend! The send has no idea how much she brightened my holiday and beyond." 

xoxoxo

A Curious Christmas! Box #234

"Merry Christmas to all!

I arrived home from work on Friday, and what should I see?

A box labelled "A Curiosity Project" and it was addressed to ME!

I was so excited that I almost opened the package before I grabbed my camera.

I ripped off the paper ( sorry Gemma!) as carefully as I could, (loved the paper!) inside was a lovely box wrapped in lace and fabric that was studded with gems. 

I opened the box carefully, afraid of dislodging the lace or gems. I was pleasantly surprised by the cute little card and garland inside. ( I am such a garland girl! how did you know! )

The presents were wrapped in fun red paper, each with a lovely little handwritten tag.  

I almost didn't unwrap them but the "curiosity" got the better of me. Plus prying eyes were begging to see what they held inside. My three lil "chi's" were wagging their tails enthusiastically. Most likely waiting for me to share a chocolate or two!

The items inside are fantastic and fun:

• Fairy Cake cases
• Sweet Sally sewing set
• "Chi" (chihuahua) novelty stickers
• Knitted ring
• Pocket notepad
• Home made soap (is that grape? or another scent I can't place)
• Chocolate coins
• Tiny button/badges
• Sewing knick knacks with buttons and ribbons

I can't wait to use some of the items in my next craft project! I already have a use for much of what was sent. 

This was absolutely the most fun I have had in a long time and I can't wait to participate again!