ENSOMA is a new Subscription Box featuring a collection of hand-picked items to encourage new ways of thinking about happiness and life balance.
Each month subscribers will receive not only a box of physical items, but also access to an online members-only site which provides thoughtful ways to experience the items, as well as stories and context around why they were chosen. Items will vary with each box, but can include candles, recipe ingredients, culturally specific surprises (Scandinavian, British, Greek, etc.), games, organizing kits, outdoor and survival preparedness items, and much more.
Disclosure: I received this box for review purposes. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own. Post may contain affiliate and/or referral links.
Subscriptions are $55/month or less with multi-month commitments. Shipping is free within the US.
Let’s see what’s in the December 2016 ENSOMA box!
Everything was shipped in a medium-sized box via Priority Mail.
A peek inside!
A sticker on the inside lid let me know who packed the box and what beverage they were enjoying at the time.
A dark blue envelope held a welcome note, my “secret online code”, and a detailed list of everything in December’s box.
The theme for this debut box was “Hygge” (HOO-guh), a Scandinavian term that roughly translates to “coziness”. The box contained everything you’ll need to create a hygge-y vibe in your own home.
An info sheet listed all of the items, along with photos, descriptions, and tips for enjoying each one.
WoodWick Evening Bonfire Crackling Candle – An easy way to bring about the feeling of coziness is by lighting a candle. This one from WoodWick features a natural wooden wick (makes sense) that mimics the sound of a crackling fire. Its “Evening Bonfire” scent was created to evoke memories of “cool nights around a smoldering fire with your dearest friends”. The rustic wooden lid actually doubles as a base to use while the candle is lit. Neat!
New Moon Tea Co. Glühwein Mulling Spices – Glühwein (mulled wine) is a traditional drink served hot or warm and typically enjoyed around the winter holidays. It can be made with or without alcohol. This package contains a blend of organic herbs including cinnamon, orange peel, lemon peel, cloves, and cardamon. To make the glühwein, heat 3-6 cups of red wine, put contents of pouch into the included muslin bag and place in pot. Simmer for 20 minutes, remove the pouch and sweeten to taste. I need to remember to pick up some cheap red wine so I can try this out!
Pepparkakor Cookies in a Jar
Dominoes – ENSOMA chose these particular dominoes for the authentic, rustic appearance of the wood case along with their substantial quality when you hold them in your hand. The line art on the lid was designed to reflect the “artistic energy of the fun that comes with standing dominoes on their ends and knocking them over”. Once your home is filled with the comforting scents of mulled wine and pepparkakor cookies, and the sound of a crackling fire (candle), invite your friends over for a cozy night of food, drink, and dominoes.
Additional online content included instructions for a variety of domino games (including a drinking one!), the full recipe for Hilda’s pepparkakor cookies, behind the scenes videos, and more.
I was very impressed with the debut box from ENSOMA! The “hygge” theme was perfect for winter and the curation was great. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to vegan-ize the cookies, but I’m definitely looking forward to trying the glühwein!
December 2016 ENSOMA Review
Summary
Not simply a collection of items, ENSOMA is more like an experience in a box. I absolutely loved the cozy vibes of this month's theme and learning about the Scandinavian concept of "hygge".
What do the stars mean?
★ = Crummy ★★ = Just Okay ★★★ = Good ★★★★ = Awesome ★★★★★ = Extraordinarily Awesome
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