The Deferment of Gratification...

So, the deferment of gratification, whilst undeniably a Good Thing, gets on your nerves after a while! Karen sent me this very exciting swap parcel as her half of our Christmas Stocking Swap, absolutely ages ago! I was determinded not to open it before December, just so that it felt properly Christmassy. I also felt I shouldn't open it before I'd posted mine, just 'cos, really. So, I posted mine yesterday, and today's the day!It's hard to feel 'properly Christmassy' when it's 16°C and the sun is shining on our green, green grass, but I know you Antipodeans can cope with hotter than that and still feel festive, so I got out Beck's Australian Christmas cloth and got opening...

OOh, a minor distraction in the packaging! And then on to the first item, Karen's very pretty handmade card. I now have enough cards to set up some ribbons to hold them, and this one will take centre stage.

Pretty, pretty wrapping - I have been drooling over that red and white vintage string in Country Living, and here it is, with pretty tags attatched!You like? I like!I guessed the squishy packet would contain the Christmas stocking, so I opened it first. Bingo!Beautiful festive fabric and a sweet yo-yo decoration. I love it, Karen!Now a matching bird - how charming.A candle teacup - you may think it looks good, but you haven't SMELLED it! It's just fantastic in real life, and I've been wishing for a scented candle...Three fantastic vintage French advert magnets. The top one is for a mint alcohol which is alledged to be a good prevention against epidemics! Angels holding the bottle and all... I've just been teaching about advertising standards in my 5° English class, and I think this might break a few of them ;) The yellow one is for Lu biscuits, which are still a firm favourite with French children. Cute little scholar on it. The final one is for French Wine (in general) - 'Health, Happiness and Hope'! I'll drink to that...What is in this tiny box? A tiny Christmas Pudding, of course! I think Ben and I will share it tonight as a little foretaste of Christmas.Another lovely bird, this time on such a nice notebook.And, incredibly, something I've been wanting to read all year! What a great gift, Karen!I'll have to hide this from the boys...Until I'm ready to share it, anyway. Scottish shortbread is something else to add to yesterday's list of what the British abroad miss!And at the end of that well-defered parcel opening, I am the proud owner of all the lovely packaging, above, and a really super set of gifts. Thanks so much, Karen - beautifully made and wisely chosen, all of it!

Now my parcel has to make its way from La Poste to the Post Office. Karen says she'll start stalking her Postie any day now! I hope she enjoys it half as much as I enjoyed hers...