HAUL | Christmas 2017

Ahhhh to be a bibliophile at Christmas! My friends and family did SO WELL this year. Seriously, not only did they get me a lot of the things I had mentioned wanting, but they surprised me with things I’ve never heard of that are perfect. I’m only including the bookish gifts here, but everything was so thoughtful. I think the greatest gift was how known my loved ones made me feel by giving such perfect gifts. Feeling understood has always been something I struggle with, so these sorts of gestures mean everything to me.

 

My mom and dad got me two of the books that were highest on my list—the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter: A History of Magic. The second of these is the companion to British Library’s exhibition, and even though there is a beautiful paperback version here in the United States, I just really wanted the UK hardcover. Being giant hardcovers, these are both quite pricey. They’re also books that I know I’ll cherish forever. Not that I don’t feel that way about most all of my books, but you know what I mean. Gorgeously illustrated, Harry Potter-related books equal lifelong treasure! So, I’m obviously quite thrilled to have been given them, which of course makes them even more special.

 

 

 

My parents also gave me a necklace from Alex and Ani’s Harry Potter collection. It’s the Deathly Hallows one, in gold. I ADORE it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mom also got me two palettes from Lorac’s Beauty and the Beast collection. I had wanted something from it, but didn’t want to spend the money on makeup, which I only wear sometimes and is therefore not one of the things I tend to splurge on. I remember saying how much I loved it though. And even though it sold out super fast, my mom managed to find the eye shadow and cheek palette for me! They are STUNNING, and I really feel the colors suit me, which isn’t always the case.

 

 

 

 

Lastly, my mom and dad gave me a 6-month subscription to Book of the Month!! This was tucked into the tree and a final surprise after opening everything else. I was and still am so excited about it! I love BOTM so much, and this makes it even more special somehow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we come to the gift my sister gave me, and YOU GUYS. Rewind to September, when she and I went to the AJC Decatur Book Festival. At one point, I stumbled across a full, antique collection of Memoirs of the Courts of Europe. I was so drawn to it, but I already had several purchases planned. My incredible sister bought the whole collection for me, and I really did forget about it. So on Christmas morning, when I saw a whole stack of wrapped packages in the same bookish size (she literally wrapped each one individually because she’s an amazing human being), I was ecstatic! These books are beautiful and promise to be full of intrigue for this history- and monarchy-loving bibliophile.

 

 

One of my best friends in the whole world, Nicole, sent me this AMAZING coffee cup from Clever Holly Designs. It’s blue because I’m a Ravenclaw, it says ACCIO COFFEE, and LOOK AT THE MERMAID. She has glasses and a scar. Seriously, I haven’t even unpackaged this yet because I know I can’t actually use it for coffee and risk ruining it. I’m trying to think up something fun to use it for within my library.

 

 

 

 

 

Another bestie of mine, whose name is also Nicole, sent me The Sorting Hat candle from Flickering Fandoms. As this candle burns, it turns the color of one of the four houses, therefore “sorting” you. I haven’t done this yet, because I’m waiting for a super chill day when I can burn it the whole day at home and watch it change. I’m so fascinated to see what the candle deems me!!

 

 

 

 

Thoroughly spoiled! But more importantly, I experienced such joy from giving and receiving gifts in celebration of how much we all know and love each other.