REVIEW: Mysterious Package Company’s Ominous Mailings Offer Fun That Lurks Outside the Box

in Merchandise, Theater

Subscription boxes come in many different styles and themes.  Most are a collection of related swag tied to pop culture figures and genres. The Mysterious Package Company has unearthed a darker side to these immersive collections.

Similar to the Haunted Mansion “Ghost Post” packages, stocked with an assortment of related artifacts, the Canadian company curates creepy collections of various eerie electives.  These exciting experiences range from the macabre to the downright demonic. Nothing is random.

The service is limited to members only to maintain quality and keep content from being revealed to those who have been gifted with a particular experience. Adventurous subscribers, or their designated recipients, can choose from several storylines. Each story is cleverly crafted and full of surprises.

Related: New “Hunt a Killer” Mystery Subscription Box Tests if You Can Stop a Serial Killer

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Below, are a few enticing examples of these prepared packages. Additional adventures can be found on their website (membership fee is required). Subscriptions range from $99.99 to $249.99 per mailing.

The Demon Jar

This paranormal project is frightening enough to elicit a warning to ensure participants are at least sixteen years of age.

“There is a secret war being fought by evil forces that seek to subjugate humankind, and those that seek to protect it.” – Mysterious Package Company.

The Demon Jar

Zombies Rise

Deals with the after-effects of the cold war and the rise of zombies.

Zombies Rise

The Lost Treasure of John Augur

This adventure is set in the eighteenth century. Centering on the collaboration of a band of pirates and a lost treasure, this mystery is expected to begin shipping this month.

“The Mysterious Package Company provides unique and custom-made gifts delivered by mail and wrapped in a hand-crafted experience unlike any other. Custom-made crates, letters, and telegrams from long-lost relatives and seemingly innocuous newspaper clippings add a richness to the curious goods contained within. Each experience is uniquely tailored to each person.” -Mysterious Package Co. Facebook Page

The Lost Treasure of John Augur

For those wanting to dip their toes in the water before committing to a more expensive option or just wanting a lighter experience, Mysterious Package Company offers a quarterly engagement.  “Curios & Conundrums” is billed as “A Subscription Box for the Literarily Deranged.” Each box contains a “peculiar periodical,” a collectible “artifact,” a papercraft “contraption” and more.


EVEN MORE SPOILERS AHEAD

A review of this quarter’s issue of “Curious & Conundrums,” including content images follows below.  Do not proceed if you are a subscriber and are still awaiting your delivery or if you wish to be surprised by your subscription.

This month’s theme, “Gods of Madness” delves into the Victorian age fascination with madness. Stories in the colorful newspaper and corresponding collectibles rally around this theme. The Curator culled quite the collection this month.

Curious & Conundrums

In addition to the current issue of “Curious & Conundrums,” the following items were signed out of the Mysterious Package Company library:

My favorite items in this “episode” are the “Gruel Intentions” cookbook and the “Bedlam” pin.

Gruel Intentions

Gruel Intentions

Also included was a fun “tunnel book” that comes with the warning “Do not look too closely at the finished product.”

There’s a rather gruesome papercraft “contraption” depicting a subject with his feet to the flames.

Hot Foot Hank

Other items included a phrenology magnet and sample labels of various period pharmaceutical tinctures.

The centerpiece of this quarter’s collection is a replica of an Egyptian obelisk; possibly a harbinger of things to come.

The collection was fun and a delight to discover what was enclosed. Stories and adverts in the “Curios & Conundrums” periodical were informative and a bit unnerving. The presentation is wonderful: the box itself appears like a giant book, suitable for display. I’ve yet to discover the link between the obelisk and this month’s madness theme. In summary, a very imaginative and eerie distraction that has me eagerly awaiting the next arrival.

Source and Images: The Mysterious Package Company website and Facebook page.

Additional images: Michael Gavin

in Merchandise, Theater

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