Even as a little girl I couldn't wait to open my presents at Christmas, and often I didn't. If there was a way to untape that little flap on the end of the gift where my mom couldn't tell, I would be all in it. Later on, I got skilled at shaking and detecting. One year, I shook a large shirt box and heard a rattling sound inside. I guessed, correctly, that mom had stuck a jewelry box inside a large towel and wrapped the whole thing in a shirt box. But today I have a different kind of question regarding whether or not to open a gift!
My friend Liz (the shop owner and decorator) e-mailed a few weeks back to say she'd just come from the flea market where she'd found my Christmas present. I told her I was delighted and knew I would love it, and indeed I do! As we headed out to see "The Young Victoria" the other night, she handed me a beautifully wrapped gift box. It was wrapped in burlap fabric, tied with raffia, embellished with berries, eucalyptus leaves and Christmas greenery, and featured a vintage bird design tag. I *really* should have taken a photo.
At any rate, this vintage tin of Luzianne tea is what was inside!
I wanted you to see all four sides of the tin, so here's the fourth side.
But here's my dilemma. I was riding along and pondering how to get the top off the tea tin when I suddenly heard a familiar rattling sound and realized that, of all things, there is still tea inside and this tin has never been opened! Turns out, this string can be pulled to open the (ancient) tin of tea. But should I? My friend Judy piped in from the back seat to say that yes, of course I should open it and drink it! (I don't think Judy is trying to polish me off, by the way, just curious about the tea!) Liz seemed to maybe be siding with me that no, I should keep it in the original condition. Now I'm certain I won't drink the tea (decades in a metal tin would probably not be a good or safe thing), but I would indeed like to know what it looks like and even if it would brew up properly after all this time. So I need your help here. Would you open the tin?
Even as a little girl I couldn't wait to open my presents at Christmas, and often I didn't. If there was a way to untape that little flap on the end of the gift where my mom couldn't tell, I would be all in it. Later on, I got skilled at shaking and detecting. One year, I shook a large shirt box and heard a rattling sound inside. I guessed, correctly, that mom had stuck a jewelry box inside a large towel and wrapped the whole thing in a shirt box. But today I have a different kind of question regarding whether or not to open a gift!
My friend Liz (the shop owner and decorator) e-mailed a few weeks back to say she'd just come from the flea market where she'd found my Christmas present. I told her I was delighted and knew I would love it, and indeed I do! As we headed out to see "The Young Victoria" the other night, she handed me a beautifully wrapped gift box. It was wrapped in burlap fabric, tied with raffia, embellished with berries, eucalyptus leaves and Christmas greenery, and featured a vintage bird design tag. I *really* should have taken a photo.
At any rate, this vintage tin of Luzianne tea is what was inside!
I wanted you to see all four sides of the tin, so here's the fourth side.
But here's my dilemma. I was riding along and pondering how to get the top off the tea tin when I suddenly heard a familiar rattling sound and realized that, of all things, there is still tea inside and this tin has never been opened! Turns out, this string can be pulled to open the (ancient) tin of tea. But should I? My friend Judy piped in from the back seat to say that yes, of course I should open it and drink it! (I don't think Judy is trying to polish me off, by the way, just curious about the tea!) Liz seemed to maybe be siding with me that no, I should keep it in the original condition. Now I'm certain I won't drink the tea (decades in a metal tin would probably not be a good or safe thing), but I would indeed like to know what it looks like and even if it would brew up properly after all this time. So I need your help here. Would you open the tin?
Cool gift ! I'm gonna go w/ "Don't Open"
ReplyDeleteI would not drink tea that old. But, more importantly, I would keeep that fabulous tin as it is!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I could go either way, although I would probably not open it. It is just kind of cool to know that it is in there. But.... it kind of reminds me of that Erma Bomback quote for regrets of her life that she would light the rose shaped candle that she was saving for someday.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family.
NO! I have a tea book with tea packaged in the front- I just can't open it either- it would just ruin the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRIST mass Angela and blessings to you & your family.
ReplyDeleteNah, don't open it. These are treasures... to be kept in original condition! I lurve it!
ReplyDeleteI would only open it if you could do it without destroying the tin. That way you could take a look and put it back together and no one would know.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Since it is vintage, I would keep it in it's original form. What a nice gift for any tea enthusiast and it sounds like the wrapping was special too.
ReplyDeleteHave a joyous Christmas, Angela.
I've heard that brand is pretty good, but probably not when it is so old. I would vote "no", keep the tin as it is.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
No, I wouldn't open it, for fear that it would be flavorless. But I'd try to contact the company and heed whatever advice they give for opening and drinking.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours.
Such a neat tin...I vote 'no' on opening it (unless there's a way to 'open it,' maybe from the bottom - where it would not deface the tin?) Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your family, Love, Joanie
ReplyDelete1. Having purchased a few old tea tins with tea in them, the tea was surprisingly ok, Don't worry about it.
ReplyDelete1. Antique wise, you will considerably lower the value of your tine if you open it.
3. If it were me, I might make a small hole in the bottom so I could taste at least one cup of the tea.
4. Waht a SUPER gift.
Let us know whar you do!!!!