And it has been my best cake day so far!

Normally I try to take photos of the box and of the box just being opened when I receive a gift, however I couldn't find my camera and the suspense was killing me! The Harry Potter exchange was the reason I joined reddit gifts. I saw photos on the r/harrypotter subreddit and new I had to be involved. This was some two years ago and I've participated in many other exchanges but if this exchange were a man, it would be the man I wanted to marry. My Secret Santa has kept contact with me through out the whole process asking me questions and getting me pumped up.

Opening my gift was like opening a treasure chest. I started with the wand box, which had ALIVAN'S MASTER WAND MAKERS embroidered on it in gold leaf. I was intrigued. I've seen several wands before, from the replicas to homemade. I've even crafted several wands myself. The layers within the box were preparing me for what sort of awesomeness lied within. First the gold leaf, and then a certificate of authenticity with the date of my wands creation (1/3/14) and its material (Walnut 15in I would describe it was sturdy, and loyal). This is neat I thought to myself. Then a red velvet bag within the box and under the certificate. This must be a very precious object. My trembling hands opened the velvet satchel to unsheathe a slender object wrapped delicately in tissue paper, finally the wand within revealed itself. I was in awe. I said "Woah! Woah!" out loud to a empty room for several minutes.

This wand is beautiful. Its a shame to keep it hidden in a box. I am going to need to make a special shelf for it to live on.

After I picked myself up on the floor I continued looking through my gifts. Two candles, scented like ButterBeer (damn, can I still get one of those butterbeer drinks from starbucks? I never did.) and the second, Dumbledore's Office (when I die I want heaven to smell like this candle. Its almost like Black berry's and cream, with years of wisdom folded in.) Two body creams, (My SS asked if I used lotion, which I do because hand washing and working with clay makes my hands very dry) the creams are scented like Sweet Pumpkin Pie and Butterbeer. One is extra special because its my SS's favorite and they no longer make it. She pulled it our of her personal stash to share with me. Boat loads of freaky wizarding candy, like Bert Bott's every flavor beans, Jelly Slugs (which I ate promptly, they were delicous!), and pet cockroach and pet rat gummis (also a green rubber rat not for eating!). Two lip balms, in Butterbeer and Pumpkin Pasties because YUM according to my SS. I agree! Flavored lip balm is wel...the BALM. Get it? Like the bomb... I'll show myself out.

Just kidding! I am not done yet! In addition to this already Noah's Arc like box of gifts I received a pair of Spectra Specs and a HUGE warm Hufflepuff Crest Throw tapestry. I had forgot that it was on my wishlist, lord knows I'll use it with all the ice storms we have had in my neck of the woods. All of this, and my SS had wrote a letter for me in a card.

Thank you Mrowy. You have made me feel so special. Thank you for sharing the things that you love with me and buying me some things I never would have gifted to myself. This has all been amazing. For some reason "Hello sweet friend" really touched me, I know you didn't write that, but you did pick it out and it feels perfect for the occasion.

With that my friends I say, "Mischief Managed!"