I previously published an article about seeing a working Christmas countdown clock in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, on September 29, 2025. That was not the only early sign of Christmas I saw in the early autumn. On October 10, 2025, I ordered an Usaburo snowman kokeshi doll on Ebay. I had looked at it a few days prior and bookmarked it. When I received a “discount” offer, I had no choice but to add the snowman to my collection of Usaburo kokeshi dolls. I placed my order from Ebay seller Vicsvintagetreasures and prepared to welcome my snowman.
The snowman kokeshi doll arrived as promised on October 14, 2025 (I recall that being a day or two earlier than I had expected).
It not only came in perfect condition, but with a couple of unexpected bonus items.
As you can see in the photo, Vicsvintagetreasures sent a Christmas card and an unexpectedly sturdy Christmas ornament (I suppose it could double as a bookmark) with my kokeshi doll.
(Note: I used the Christmas ornament on my tree.)
While the most important part of the delivery was of course the stately snowman kokeshi doll in the promised condition, I appreciated the bonus Christmas card and ornament. Despite having just written about the early Christmas countdown clock, I cannot say that it felt like Christmas yet in October. But the card and ornament, both of which have been put to use this Christmas season, were harbingers of the arrival Santa’s sleigh (or delivery van to some local accounts).
Relatedly, I had purchased two Miya brand snowman tea cups a few weeks before receiving my Usaburo snowman kokeshi doll. You can read abot why I purchased two cups instead of one in my previous article.
