GlobeIn Artisan Box Review December 2017: Play
GlobeIn Artisan Box is a monthly subscription box featuring favorite products from global artisans. Each box is curated around a monthly theme selected by the editor with the aim of helping you experience new and interesting products and cultures. They kindly sent us this box for review.
GlobeIn December 2017 – Play
No matter how busy you are, no matter how many years you’ve lived, can you tap into an unstructured space of exploration, curiosity, and fun? The Play Box says yes, and invites you to enter a playground state of mind.
Can you hear that joyful laughter? Can you feel the sand beneath your feet? What will you do there? What will you find? Notebook, puzzle, spinning top, dice-these are your new toys. They invite you to put down your tasks, pull back from the screen, and engage with the weird and wondrous material world.
Turns out that doing so can make you a more effective adult. Playtime is good for the brain, supporting creativity and problem solving abilities while easing stress. So , spin a top, draw a doodle, toss some dice…. See what happens!
Cheers,
This box has my name written all over it! I was that person that carried a deck of cards in my purse at all times, because you never knew when it would be a good time to play! I still have a box full of puzzles, toys and games that I just can’t seem to part with. This box is the perfect box for Christmas too, as Christmas is when people seem to let loose a little bit and play… I can’t wait to take a deeper look at The Play Box!!
Wooden Spinning Top – India
Much like dice, the spinning top dates way back to ancient times, and has been found among cultures all over the world. While we tend to think of it as a simple kid’s toy, the spinning top has a history of being used both for gambling and divination – neither of which are completely outside of the realm of play, of course!
So cool! I would love to research some game ideas for this. If it is such a key toy among so many cultures, how did they use it and gamble with it?
Mini Palm Leaf Basket – Mexico & Rosewood Dice – India
Nothing says playtime like a set of dice. In fact, these little doodads are some of the oldest gaming gizmos in existence. Dice have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2000 BCE! Generally, dice are used to generate some sort of random, chance outcome. Of course, before humans became so mathematically oriented, the way dice fell was seen as the result of supernatural forces.
Love these! I was hoping 5 dice would be included for the classic Yatzee game, but it seems like I’ll have to do some more research of what games can be played with four dice. Either way, these are beautiful and I’m very happy to add them to my collection!
Gift Tags – Assorted – India
After years of living in the United States, Manish Gupta made a trip back to his native India. In contrast to the US, the extreme material poverty of his homeland struck Manish harder than ever. Also in contrast to the material poverty he found was the rich cultural wealth that Manish had always recognized in his people With deep respect for this non-material heritage, he set out partnering with grassroots organizations to transform unskilled men and women into master artisans in crafts typical to the region.
These gift tags are so beautiful I actually thought they were tree ornaments! I may just use them for that instead so I can see them every year!
Wooden Mini Puzzle – India
Thought you left behind puzzles with childhood? Guess again! Puzzles are excellent toys for adults. Playing with them improves memory and mental speed, creativity and problem solving skills and somehow promotes motivation and relaxation at the same time.
And, since you’re all grown up and capable of having nice things, your new puzzle is made with sweet-smelling rosewood and sustainable mango wood. Its delicate pieces have been hand carved by artisans such as Atar Singh, who has been honing his craft for the past 15 years.
This is so beautiful! I’m in awe of this box! I just love puzzles like this and they use to captivate me for hours and hours as a kid! I’ve actually been looking for a good puzzle to put in a stocking this year, and this is going to be perfect!!
Unlined Notebook/Sketchbook – Assorted – India
Playtime is all about setting yourself loose and letting go of structure. The pages of your new notebook, uniquely lacking in lines, are just begging you to find your way outside of the box. To forget about to-do lists and let yourself dream, journal, sketch and scribe.
Lovely! I think I would use this for score keeping with all these other game devices!
GlobeIn Artisan Box Review December 2017 – Final Thoughts
I think this is my favourite GlobeIn Box… EVER! I am such a games/play person that every item in this box speaks to me. I just love it. The kid in me is itching to get going. The only down side is the lack of one more dice in the set. Other than that this box was perfection! I have loved every GlobeIn Artisan Box I have ever received, but this one really tops the cake. GlobeIn is such a beautiful box with a beautiful mission. You really feel like you’re part of something bigger than just yourself.
-Shonah