One of humanity’s great fears (no, I am totally not just talking about myself and presenting it as an absolute example) includes the bittersweet concept of memories. It will all pass. And it does, indeed. But memories, fortunately or not, stay. Moreover, they become unbearably sweet and delectable whenever you try to lay off the sugar. The most unfair part? Maybe the actual experience wasn’t all that saccharine, alas, your brain works its magic and tries to bring you back to a place where you were utterly unhappy, but comfortable.

Take an emotionally distraught date on the calendar and stick a “Remember: boo basket for sister!” sticky note on it

In the light of this realization, what can be done? The same thing an artist chooses to do with an old painted canvas: create something new on top of it. Use your experience and past as a foundation for an even greater creation. Who knows, maybe the shadows of past gouache will give it a certain depth. And every time you dare to glance at your brand-new art, you will remember not how you suffered because of the first one, but how you managed to get up and honor your calling. How does this translate to our situation? Take an emotionally distraught date on the calendar and stick a “Remember: boo basket for sister!” sticky note on it.

Highly popularized in the last few years, a boo basket includes a lush selection of cute trinkets one enchanting soul would enjoy on a chilly fall evening, all artfully organized in a basket. Or a bag. Or a box. It’s what’s inside that matters! This is our second year of this tradition and we have decided on a budget of approximately 50€. The value is highly adaptable to each individual situation, and an amazing and fun gift can be created on any budget. My personal favorite piece is the little fairy-like wooden door set, which cost 1€!

for the Sun:

Now I carry around with me a little piece of home that can always hug me and remind me of how well my sister knows me

Now that we are all familiar with this historic concept, let’s start the runway with our first gorgeous creation: the boo basket created for me, the sun, where someone had to pretend not to see the Jellycat purse until the last second. But c’mon, it’s adorable! It looks like a delicious latte and fits all the things I need in order to go out for a coffee (lipstick, my crystal, and my phone to call my sister to join me). I immediately took it out for a walk and it warmed my heart. It solved the problem of feeling sad in the morning when you have to leave your plushies inside. Now I carry around with me a little piece of home that can always hug me and remind me of how well my sister knows me.

I can cut, and I can glue, but it won’t be very graceful

The next object conveys a lot of emotion for me. Mainly betrayal. You see, I have wanted a book nook for the obvious reasons. And I got one, a gorgeous gorgeous one. It shows a library filled with tiny books, cozy paintings and a snuggly fire. The only issue? All those tiny books are made from even tinier elements, just like the paintings and each individual piece of furniture. The fire is a sticker I have battled with. Don’t get me wrong now, the set is beautiful and the instructions are clear. However, I am not the craftiest person when it comes to a bottle of glue and a pair of kitchen scissors. I can cut, and I can glue, but it won’t be very graceful. Somehow, I did not think of this aspect until I opened the box and hundreds of miniscule bits fell on my fluffy rug. I do have some wonderful news, though! After a colorful evening of crafting and talking nonsense and mumbling the same song lyrics, we are around 10-15% done <3 I will update you as soon as we finish it (aka my sister finishes it and brings it home assembled, because she is the one with the steady hands and nerves in this siblinghood).

Each time I get a cinnamon flavor, I will think of her

Moving on, we have a festive Advent Tea Calendar from Cupper. This one happens to have a more intricate intention behind it. Every year, we exchange Advent calendars. Nevertheless, this year we might not be in the same place when the season arrives. This is why my sister wanted to make sure I don’t remain adventless in the middle of the festive season. Each time I get a cinnamon flavor, I will think of her and be grateful. If I really, really miss her, I will make good use of the tea infuser she gifted me. Maybe I will even ask her which tea is best for the winter season and she will probably have the finest answer prepared.

Next up, we have probably one of the best inventions humanity came up with: a sort of double-edged cookie cutter. On one side, you have the sharp part that will create a teddy shape. On the other, there is a little heart in its arms. It is the perfect tool for Linzer cookies using some raspberry or strawberry jam. If making two layers of a cookie sounds like too much commitment when you are really craving something tasty, I love to make a simple batch of butter cookies, press my thumbs in them to create a heart-shaped hole, and fill it with jam. They look lovely and just melt in your mouth! It is my best friend’s favorite dessert of mine, so I make sure to bake a fresh batch for any occasion.

We believe in deep spiritual syncing processes. Because what other rational explanation could there be for the fact that each one of us has in her boo basket a variant of the same candleholder design? (Quick note: Nanu Nana is the perfect place for autumnal/festive home trinkets.) The one I got is slightly smaller because, after all, I am the small sibling. It looks stunning when one lights a candle inside of it, just like a flower touched by a ray of sunshine.

for the Moon:

Staying moisturized during the breezy seasons is a must!

And, on that note, we can slowly shift our attention to the basket I prepared for the moon. It is mostly filled with different self-care elements, such as a face mask, a royal vanilla body wash that smells divine, spooky, yet refreshing eye patches, a bow clip that I would humbly describe as dark academia, and a mini version of a sweet-smelling hand cream. Staying moisturized during the breezy seasons is a must!

The world is indeed chocolate

My favorite item is the adorable chocolate fondue set, which I paired with a Biscoff-flavored bar of chocolate. The fondue station even came with fondue forks and a wise reminder that the world is indeed chocolate. Although I have been warned that someone will use it to melt cheese and not chocolate, I remain optimistic that the right choice will be made.

Anyway, to even out the sweetness, there is an English Breakfast black tea. Nothing makes my sister smile wider than the thought of visiting England during crunchy-leaves season. If she cannot have that at the moment, I will make it my mission to bring it to her.

A pumpkin candle is always much needed in a fall present, and this one reminds me of waking in a bakery during rush hour. It is all that is sugary and delicious, mixed in a chubby pumpkin-shaped jar. Along with this yummy addition, there is a hedgehog eating an apple (always a classic) and a fluffy pumpkin that reminded us both of our dog, so we named it accordingly. Of course there is also a hedgehog and, respectively, a pumpkin ornament in the basket my sister prepared, because we happen to share the same thinking process.

In order to further intensify the warm atmosphere, I placed everything on a thin layer of hay-like strings and I decorated it with store-bought pine cones and fairy lights. When I am orchestrating a fall basket, I make sure that the environment looks as close as it can to a faerie burrow.