MY HOMETOWN SANTA IS THE BEST HOMETOWN SANTA EVER!

The package made its way from Valparasio, Indiana, to the United Kingdom in less time than it would take me to send a letter here (which is massively impressive.) And I was so happy to see what was inside!

My santa included a lovely long letter to explain everything which was inside the package and why it was so important to them. I learnt so much about the city and the local economy and it actually caused a 2 hr discussion in my family it was so interesting! Thank you so much for giving something so thought provoking.

My santa mentioned that the steel industry was the primary employer in their area, and gave me some interesting gifts to show the importance. Firstly, a lovely lovely pair of steel workers gloves (wool lined!) We have a workshop at home so they'd already found their new home there (which is why the picture is separate!) and were actually the perfect gift for us! So thank you so so so much!

Next, a large and beautifully photographed book of the steel industry in Indiana. It is SO interesting (I'm a big history buff) and I've already read through it twice! Thank you so sososo much!! Inside the book were a few stickers supporting the works which I'm definitely using :)

Next, my Santa got me a few gifts dedicated to the Indiana Dunes. They look absolutely beautiful - a real piece of natural heritage which I would love to visit one day. Inside was a brochure and a map, they really REALLY sold it to me and now I'm definitely going to plan a holiday to visit!!! Also included was a magnet which has gone straight on my fridge. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Now on to the edibles!

My santa mentioned that Orville Redenbacher came from Indiana, and that his town has a popcorn festival dedicated to him as a result. In the UK we don't get that brand of popcorn, but I love the fact that despite a lot of similarities there are such differences in our food! Butter popcorn is also not very common in the UK, so I'm really excited to try it (it always looks so delicious on TV!) THANKS SANTA - I never knew anywhere had a popcorn festival but my life is definitely better knowing they do!

And finally - GUMMI BEARS. These are Albanese world's best bears - and I can't wait to try them! I have a real sweet tooth and love my gummy sweets so I am super super super excited. There are twelve flavours in the bag (some of which are rare in the UK, like grape) so I cannot wait to dig into these! They also included a lovely brochure and a cute little bear card to go alongside it.

SO ISN'T MY SANTA THE BEST EVER?! Thank you so so so so much for all of these amazing gifts! I got exactly what I wanted to from this exchange - I now know so much more about a city which I'd previously never heard of, I feel like I've really got a part of my santa's home in my little house in the UK. Thank you SO SO much! You are the greatest!