Travel at Home: British Snack Swap

When I was writing down my goals for this year, there’s no way I could have predicted I would be spending most of it at home. Planning foreign travel has been a hell of a gamble, so it’s hardly surprising many people completely ruled it out. After many cancellations and changed plans, we recently got back from our first much awaited trip abroad of 2020. However, I’m trying to be realistic in acknowledging it’s likely to be our only foreign trip of the year.

Are you looking to resume travelling again, but don’t know where to start the planning process? Read my post all about how I planned my first trip since lockdown!

One of the things I miss the most are my annual trips to the place that feels like my second home, the UK. I used to live in London and it’s no secret that it’s one of my favourite places in the world. I’ve been devouring lots of content by British creators, longing for the day when I can finally board a plane to Gatwick again. Naturally, when the lovely Katy from The Lilac Scrapbook reached out to me and asked if I wanted to do a snack box swap with her, I jumped at the chance! We decided to set our budget at £20 and include other bits too if we wanted to. I love watching Katy’s Instagram story hauls, so I just knew she would pick out amazing items for me. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t be more right…

Savoury British snacks

In her box, Katy included two types of savoury British snacks. First up, she gave me a pack of pickled onion Monster Munch. I find it SO interesting that our Monster Munch and the British ones are entirely different, even though they are both sold under the same name. Our ghost-shaped crisps are basically my childhood, so I can’t wait to see how I like the British version. Seeing as I enjoy onions in pretty much every shape and form, I have a really good feeling about these! She sent me some pork scratchings too – we don’t have any similar snacks over here, but they sound right up my street!

British chocolates and sweets

Now on to sweet treats… As I dug deeper into my box, I was spoiled for choice of British chocolates and sweets. First, I pulled out some classic Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, followed by a variety pack of chocolate bars and a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. I particularly like chocolate with a crisp centre, so I already know I will find it hard to share these Munchies and Toffee Crisp bars…

I was completely thrilled to find a box of Mr Kipling Victoria Slices, which are essentially sponge cake fingers with a layer of buttercream and raspberry jam. Victoria Sponge Cake is a delicious British classic that is a centrepiece afternoon tea treat. It is one of the easiest cakes to prepare at home as well – a sure win-win in my book! I also received a box of Scottish cream shortbread fingers that immediately caught my eye. I’ll admit that prior to this, I’ve never heard of Scottish cream before, but after a quick googling session I was pretty excited. I think I’ve only had one tiny shortbread bar in my life, so I’m looking forward to trying it properly!

When I saw the next item in the box, I let out a little squeal. Digestives are honestly one of my favourite British biscuits of all time. The originals, milk chocolate ones, thins… I’ll happily take them all (okay, minus the ones with dark chocolate), thanks! I’ve recently had a major craving for Digestives, but my local Dealz shop had sadly sold out. I had no clue they even did a marmalade on toast version, so it’ll be interesting to see how I get on with them!

One of the British snacks I haven’t had a chance to try yet are Wagon Wheels. They are basically two chocolate-coated biscuits with a layer of marshmallow and jam in between. While I hardly ever choose marshmallow treats for myself, these actually look amazing, so I have high hopes!

Jelly and soft sweets

Then, Katy sent me some fruit pastilles, chewy candies, gums, and glacier mints. I always have to pop some mints in my handbag wherever I go, so these will definitely come in handy. As for jelly sweets, I have to admit I almost never buy them anymore. Whenever I do, I wonder why this doesn’t happen more often because they’re just so fun to snack on. I’m particularly excited to try the Wham minis which are raspberry flavour chew bars with salt crystals. I’m the kind of person who loves taking turns between sweet and savoury snacks, so these sound really interesting to me…

You may have noticed by now that I’m a sucker for adorable packaging and this was no exception. As soon as I saw the cute little Love Hearts and Parma Violets, I couldn’t stop swooning. I was also instantly drawn to the Iced Gems, little biscuits topped with raspberry, blackcurrant and lemon flavour icing. I love the small snack-sized portions that are perfect to have on the go and I’m excited to give them a try!

Beauty items and other bits

In addition to a variety of British snacks, Katy picked out several other items for my box too. First up, I received the loveliest Tula Moon coaster featuring some of the most iconic places in Liverpool. I’ve never been and it only reassured me that this needs to change once international travel becomes less risky. I also got two beautiful postcards from the town where Katy lives, including one with a ship built from driftwood!

What took the cake for me, however, was a postcard with the Superlambanana on it. If you’re sitting with a confused look on your face right now, know that you’re not alone. I’ve never heard of the Superlambanana before, but Katy explained it is a symbol of Liverpool that can be found all over the city. I loved learning this little fun fact and I can’t wait to hopefully see it in person one day!

If you were to ask me what brand is the most common in my beauty collection, I would immediately respond with Soap and Glory. I literally own dozens of their products and they’re always a fail-proof gift idea for me. I was absolutely buzzing to see their pore-refining mask in my box, as I haven’t tried this one yet!

Katy also sent me a pineapple regenerating sheet mask from Face Facts, as well as a peach lip scrub and soothing vitamin E eye patches from Primark. I could spend hours in Primark and I love their beauty bits, so I’m really chuffed about these. My next pamper night is definitely all sorted now!

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So, here’s everything I received in my box! First of all, I would like to say a massive thank you to Katy for coming up with this idea and picking out all these lovely bits for me. I’m so over the moon with everything you sent me and I’m looking forward to my first snacking session!

And to my readers – what are your favourite British snacks? If you haven’t had a chance to try these, what would be your first choice? If you’re curious about my impressions, I suggest you follow me on Instagram – @intothebloomcom! Over the next couple of weeks, I will be reviewing the contents of my box on my stories. I also encourage you to check out Katy’s post about our snack swap to see what Polish snacks I sent her and what she thought about my picks!

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