Thursday, December 10, 2009

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...

21 comments:

Serenata said...

What a lovely swap, those items are all so well thought out and the stocking with its little yo yo is gorgeous!

Beki said...

What a lovely swap, so very you. Karen really put a lot of thought into that, what a sweetie!
Look forward to seeing what you sent her.
((hugs))
Beki xxx

Michela said...

Such fabulous gifts! How could you wait until Christmas to open it???!!! I've sent a far modest stocking to my American partner..I wonder when she will receive it, as I've posted it 3 weeks ago!

Michela said...

Oh..forgot you told me it's silly "swap paranoia"! ;-)

Floss said...

I'm suffering from it too, Michela!

Sal said...

Wonderful! It must have felt like Christmas Day, for you!
;-)

Jen Walshaw said...

What beautiful swap items

karen said...

Hiya hunni
Thankyou for the lovely comments. I'm so glad that you liked your little parcel.
(((( Hugs ))))
karen

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I had Karen as a swap partner too and isn’t she a fabulous one at that!!!

You and I were both truly spoilt weren’t we! You’ve been better than I, I’m still yet to post about my fabulous goodies

Victoria xx

VintageVicki said...

Oh what lovely pressies :)

I've started making yoyo's this week - they are seriously addictive to do.

I know my 2 swap parcels have been received and I'm keeping a watch for the postie as I can't wait to receive my pressies.

Me and Ma said...

What fantastic presents ! I feel under pressure now !

Lululiz said...

Beautiful gifts! That red and white string really is fab, I love it too.

Andi's English Attic said...

What lovely presents. I really like the bird, and the book, and the tags, and... I like everything! Lucky you. xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

A wonderful swap and anything with chocolate in it has to be good.

I love bakers twine too - you can get it really rather cheaply off ebay.

Nina x

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

What a lovely parcel you received - such thought and care your swap partner took to preparing it for you!

Unknown said...

My goodness you received some beautiful things and delicious goodies. I LOVE Scottish shortbread! Which means I never buy it because I will eat every bit of it!! I'm so happy that the mirror that you wanted was still there waiting on you.

The Curious Cat said...

Oh what wonderful gifts! You lucky duck! People can be so thoughtful and generous sometimes, can't they?! xxx

Unknown said...

Oh you are lucky! What a lovely parcel to open, I think you showed great restraint not opening it before! Suzie. xxx

Michela said...

Hi Floss! Just to inform you that this Sunday I will post about Advent, yay! ..thanks to a sort of "make, do and mend" to my broken laptop!

BadPenny said...

how lovely Floss

Pomona said...

What a lovely stocking - I love the Make Do and Mend book, but I am not sure I could have been so strongminded about deferring the opening of it!

Pomona x