it's big in Japan

A parcel arrived the other day - from our friends in Tokyo.
There is no way I can match the Japanese aesthetic when it comes to gift giving, though I try, everything they send us is wondrous.




Each package was wrapped so beautifully -



Gorgeous gift tags and ribbons...



Do you think my friends send these exquisitely printed cards to everyone?




We received my favorite magazines...



an embroidered drawstring pouch with a toothbrush and finger massaging implement in it.





Music and a magazine for Youngest -



Aunt Merry! Aunt Merry who is a woolly ram with a heating pad inside her tummy. She is now a constant companion.

And this -



a mystery gift.



Ignore the written instructions - they are for Aunt Merry. Can YOU figure out the mystery gift? We had some trouble. Clearly, it can be attached to something else, like a backpack or cellphone. The packaging is in Japanese and not helpful in describing the product. But there were hints....bubble wrap? people laugh/crying? When pressed, the blue circles make a small popping sound. WHAT THE HECK? Google to the rescue.
Japanese bubble wrap popping simulator....
Holy cow! It IS a Japanese bubble wrap popping simulator!
It's a PuchiPuchi, and ALL THE RAGE IN JAPAN.

So, now, my teeth are clean, my fingers relaxed and Youngest tucks himself in bed with a warm wooly lamb and his PuchiPuchi.
Nothing says Christmas like a simulated bubble wrap popper.

Actually, nothing says Christmas like a dad making final adjustments on the tree....