Wonderful Objects by Wonder and Company is a quarterly subscription service that brings imaginary adventures to life. This box is always full of unexpected, playful surprises. This month, the theme is "Luck."
Of all the subscription boxes that I receive and review, I think I look forward to this subscription the most. It's such a surprise each month and a playful escape from the ordinary. I can't wait to see what magic this installment holds!
Wonderful Objects offers mystery boxes for both Adults and Kids.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is of the Whimsical Adult, $72 a quarter, box.
The Subscription Box: Wonderful Objects
The Cost: $72 per quarter with discounts available for longer subscription commitments
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $10 off any subscription!
CODE: WONDERADDICT10
The Products: Hand-picked items and custom-designed ephemera that bring an imaginary scenario, place, or story to life.
Ships to: U.S. for free, Internationally for $25 per quarter
Check out all of our Wonderful Objects reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!
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This quarter's journey began with a little brown paper envelope with a few mysterious articles inside. It arrived before the main box, as a teaser for the real deal. I was raised to always read the card before opening the present, so I pulled this piece of stiff paper from the envelope first. Marked with playing card club symbols, the number 15 (twice), and an illustration of a brown bear, this card struck me as having the same strangely beautiful vibe of an old tarot card, except on the back, there's a note:
The people behind this subscription are so good at creating the perfect, strange, completely engrossing tone in the written materials they send along. Reading this, I felt a bit like Harry Potter must have when he got his first owl post—there's a story out there that I didn't know had been unraveling all this time, and now, I'm about to be the protagonist.
Pressed Coin - Value $0.50?
Onto the present—a pressed copper coin with a bucking unicorn on it, tucked inside a pale blue velvety pouch. I'm not sure where to find this coin online, so I took a guess at the value above. What does the unicorn mean? Where did this coin come from? Is it the only one? How does it relate to the numbers and bear on my card? There are a lot of exciting questions to answer, and from what I've experienced with other boxes from this subscription, not every question will get a concrete answer. Or, in other words, the people behind the box leave a lot of the mystery up to the interpretation of their intrepid customers. (Hence, using and browsing the #WonderfulObjects hashtag is so important in bringing this experience to life!)
The actual box couldn't arrive soon enough. As with many of these boxes, this one is topped with an envelope that says "Open me first."
The back of the envelope is decorated with a swirling, gray-gold seal. And what do we have pressed into the seal?
Another pressed coin! Eeeeee! How cool! This one says "My Lucky Penny" and features a couple of shamrocks and a horseshoe emblem.
Inside, there's a card. Wonderful Objects frames all of its "adventures" in the form of a "What if" question. This time, the prompt is "What if you have the power to harness luck?" The note goes on to posit the idea that "luck" might be more of an intentional process than we, as adults who've squelched our awareness of magic, might think. How could the items inside this box bring out my magical side?
The flip side of the card lists out all of the wonders I'm about to explore. A wishbone, lucky iconography, a rabbit's foot, magic cards, fortune cookies... I feel like these are all the kinds of playful items that'd leave me ogling in a shop, but ones I couldn't justify myself actually buying. It's like someone went shopping for a present for me without even knowing who I am!
The first thing I reached for in the box was this odd little booklet.
Usually, the cards and notes are the only items that the company provides straight from themselves (there's not a lot of seeing behind the curtain). But this booklet provides a rare look at the thought process and curation behind this magical package.
There are explanations of each item and why it's included in the box...
Information about the makers behind the products in the box (this is probably my favorite element, since I love knowing where to find these items and more like them again in the future!)...
Pictures and plenty of awesome information...
And even some quotes to help get me into a magical mood! I love it!
Exclusive "Patrick Goes Stargazing" 8" x 10" Archival Print by Silvia Bettini - Value $15?
I loooooove this print! This exclusive design from talented Italian artist Silvia Bettini is lush with vivid colors, simple shapes, and of course, a beautifully decked-out unicorn—the most magical (and fashionable—I love this unicorn's scalloped accessories) of all the lucky symbols.
Because this is an exclusive piece, and because Bettini doesn't have a site shop, I wasn't able to find a price for this design online. My guess of $15.00 is based on other similar, unframed prints by small artists that I've seen at shops near me—it's the least I'd expect to pay for a nice big print like this one. This is definitely going up in my home ASAP. The design is definitely my style, plus it's so cool how this mirrors the unicorn coin I received in the teaser envelope!
Exclusive "Lucky Things" Tea Towel Set by Sian Kellaway and Printed by Zen Threads - Value $15.99?
Another exclusive! Since this design doesn't just exist, I couldn't find it for sale online. I linked to a similar Zen Threads product above to give an idea of how much this set likely costs.
These two tea towels are printed on sturdy flour-sack-style cotton fabric. The prints themselves only appear on half of each (very, very big, 28" x 33") towel, so if you fold the towel in half (maybe to hang it over the handle of your oven door, like I did), the whole design is still visible.
The designs are identical, except for the color scheme, and looks so cool and graphic. It makes me think of the posters of sample designs hanging around a tattoo shop. I love the chimney, too! It took me a second, but then I think that it's an homage to a certain song from the classic Mary Poppins movie... As usual, I'm loving the way this subscription finds items that not only fit the theme, but that can have a life beyond the box. These aren't just whimsical little knickknacks that will end up in a junk drawer—they're practical, too.
Neil Patrick Harris Premium Playing Cards by theory11 - Value $9.95
Let me start by saying that I'm not a card player. I didn't grow up learning card games, and I've never really had a deck of cards around the house. But the second I saw this shimmering metallic-gold-laced box nestled inside my Wonderful Objects package, I fell in love. It's like I could feel my eyes widen just looking at the intricate, art-deco designs on this box.
I didn't realize that Neil Patrick Harris (who will forever hold a place in my heart for making and starring in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog—seriously, go watch it!) was such a magic devotee! But apparently, this deck is his baby—a thoughtfully designed deck of cards befitting of card magicians, card sharks, and curious minds, alike.
If you are a card player, hopefully you find these cards to be as lovely as I did. But if like me, you're not a card person, you can still get engrossed in this set. How? On the top of the deck, there's a little note that starts "This is going to be a challenge." Apparently, within the patterns and designs of the cards, there is a puzzle to be solved. The second card in the deck is a key to help guide you along.
I've yet to solve it yet, but my imagination is on fire parsing through the cards, hunting for clues. For just a simple deck of cards, this item has proven to be anything but. Amazing choice for this box!
Minty Elderflower Hand Cream from Wild & Wolf's Folklore Collection, 1.7 oz - Value $8.00
I'm the kind of person who can be totally sold on an item based on packaging alone. This lotion comes in a box covered in lucky bunnies and beautiful gold script. The tube itself mirrors that same design, which makes it look super special sitting on my counter.
The formula is delightful, too. It's creamy white coming out of the tube—it's just thick enough to feel nourishing, but has a super-light, not-at-all-sticky finish that leaves my hands feeling velvety smooth and refreshed. The name mentions mint, but any minty fragrance is sweet and more subtle than the delicate floral notes in this lotion. The fragrance isn't overwhelming in the least, but there's enough lasting aroma that you catch a whiff every so often. This has so quickly become one of my favorite hand creams!
Lucky Wishbone Paperweight - Value $13.00?
This gold wishbone doesn't have a specific brand attached to it, so I found something equivalent to link to above. The info card lists this 7-ish inch item as an "Objet d'art" as well as a paperweight—it's a lighter paperweight, but still does the job! I love how simple yet compelling this gold wishbone is. It's got a good bit of sparkle to it as well as shine! It looks mighty fine on my desk right now, but it'd be a great way to add a pop of shine and organic texture to an end table or bookshelf.
Mystery (Faux) Rabbit's Foot Keychain by Hellcats - Value $7.00
It's hard to have a luck box without a lucky rabbit's foot—one of the most iconic lucky symbols. Of course, I'm thrilled that it's a faux rabbit's foot! The magic of this item is that the color you receive means something different for your fortune!
I got... purple! Apparently, someone is thinking of me, according to the little silver key card! The keychain is fluffy and vibrantly colored. I can't wait to add it to my keys. It'll definitely bring some magic to day-t0-day driving around town.
Exclusive Fortune Cookies by the Fortunate Cookie Company - Value $5.00?
This cookie box is so adorable! Since this is a custom-made item, I'm not sure where to find an equivalent online. I took a guess at what a box of custom fortune cookies might cost—I could see paying about $5.00 for something like this at a quirky gift shop!
Each of these little cookies has a different inspiring quote to consider. They're not the traditional cookie sayings you'd get at a restaurant. I love that they give you something to consider and meditate on, rather than just a fortune to fret (or potentially, giggle) about.
Also, these cookies are pretty awesome! They're way sturdier than crumbly restaurant cookies and have a hearty, mildly vanilla-ish crunch.
Blackbird Letterpress Hand Luck Card - Value $5.00
Oooh, talk about mystical! This hand design looks like a diagram you'd find in an old metaphysical textbook.
The card is letterpressed, so it has a bit of texture to it, which is interesting. I could see this being a great greeting for someone who's moving to a new town, starting a new job, or even embarking on a marriage or a new relationship. If I don't use it for a gift, I might consider just framing this card and hanging it in my foyer to encourage lucky, fortunate thinking!
Fortune Teller Miracle Fish - Value $0.05
I remember getting one of these little fortune fish in elementary school, maybe at a birthday party or something like that. It's so fun to see this familiar toy pop up again in this box! (How lucky, huh?)
When you place this thin plastic fish in your palm, it'll begin wriggling (hopefully!) magically. How it moves determines your fortune—a guide for interpreting the movements appears on the back of the packet. This isn't one of the most practical picks in the box, but getting this small bit of ephemera is just plain fun!
Good Luck Custom Postcard - Value $1.00?
The final item in the box is a custom bit of ephemera. Its sort of a vintage-inspired printed postcard, with a handsome horseshoe design.
Is it fate that I got a postcard right when I was considering writing some far-flung friends of mine? Maybe... or it's luck!
The Verdict: I'm so smitten with Wonderful Objects! This month's box contained about $80.00 of value, which is perfect given its $72.00 price point. This month's box was a little less narrative than previous boxes I've received (in the past, boxes have had a bit more of a story to anchor all of the themed items), but I didn't mind myself minding that much. I feel like the pieces in the box were so quirky and magical that they engaged my imagination all on their own, no story needed. As I mentioned before, I love that so many of these items are practical pieces that I can display, use, or even nibble on in my home! I'm used to getting boxes with little toys or odds and ends that end up in the junk drawer so fast. While there were a few playful bits like that in this subscription, the majority of the pieces are beautifully well-made, creative items that I'll be delighted to display. And best of all, I'm thrilled by the new booklet that introduces the different makers and concepts behind the box. I'm so lucky to have found this subscription!
What do you think of this quarter's Wonderful Objects?
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