In spite of all the amazing things in the 11 lbs of amazingness that my Secret Santa sent to me, the thing that really hit home with me was all the effort put into it. I could, you know, print and frame this photograph right now, hang it right next to my desk and look at it in marvel for all of eternity.

The whole thing came with very thorough instructions of not only in what order to open the gifts, but also for what soundtrack to use and amazing little backstories about the various food items, as well as Secret Santa's family. It was amazing. So, as a family of four from Sweden, where both of us adults have spent a little time in the US, but the kids haven't, this was all we could have ever dreamt (perhaps 'dreamed' is the preferred form, but I heard once in a pub quiz that 'dreamt' is the only English word that ends in 'mt'. I have no idea whether that's true or not.) of. The contents were:

A Cincinnati Reds beer holder thingie (technical term?)

Loads of bourbon

A ukulele (I mentioned earlier that I've always wanted to learn how to play an instrument)

A ukulele how-to book

A book about America (the kids'll love it!)

Candy

Shitloads of candy

Cover-your-ears-kids-loads of candy

An Arrested Development-reference

Spices

Cincinnati chili spice mix

Kool-Aid

Hot cocoa mix

Flags, of course.

Is cotton candy a candy? I'm pretty sure it is.

More candy.

A tuning instrument for the ukulele.

Adorable notes.

Brochures Secret Santa's kids thought we'd enjoy (we are!)

The pretties bubblewrap known to man.