Karel Capek Sweets Teatime Set (product information)

During the holiday season, I was drawn to the gift baskets and packages that I saw on sale. I don't know how other people regard them, but I am always fascinated by the way in which items are chosen for these package deals. The obvious combinations like cheese, crackers, and shelf-stable cured meat, don't hold a great deal of appeal, but the ones that mix things up a bit pique my curiosity.

This set from designer tea maker, Karel Capek, is less interesting in what it includes than in the little fairy tale that is woven around the choices. They say this is a "once upon a tea time set" and talk about a Nordic King's caramel scones. It includes five kinds of tea, cookies, raspberry muffins, cherry jam, and a special bowl for the jam.

The set will set you back 4,200 yen (about $40). That's a pretty penny for 25 bags of tea, a jar of jam, a little pot for the jam, and a handful of cookies and muffins... and it's not even a particularly interesting assortment. 

Suntory Green Dakara Drink with Face Mask (product information)

Images from Suntory.

During my long and far less than illustrious life, I've heard a lot of theories as to why people catch colds. The most common one, and in my opinion erroneous one, is that it happens when you get cold. Another is that you catch it from germs passed along. This is the one I believe, but I believe it only happens when your immune system is compromised or suppressed somewhat.

This can be caused by many things, but often happens when the homeostatic state of your body is severely disrupted by abrupt weather changes. I think the reason people think cold weather causes colds is that the shock to the system of a switch from warm to cold weather suppressed the immune system and people succumb to germs they might otherwise be able to fend off.

In Japan, Suntory talks about the threat to health should you allow yourself to become too dehydrated. They may have a point. I'm not certain, but it wouldn't be too far a stretch to say that dehydration also could suppress the immune system. Of course, they recommend you hydrate with their beverages including their Green Dakara drink. It's got green tea, vitamins, and minerals to help strengthen the body as well as moisten those vital tissues.

However, just in case drinking the Green Dakara won't do the trick when it comes to fending off colds, you can avoid inhaling the germs entirely by donning the free mask they'll give you with purchase. Whatever the risk, Suntory is doing its best to look out for your health. It has nothing to do with selling their drinks. No, sir.

Sunkus Brown Stew Sandwich (product information)

Image from Circle K/Sunkus.

I never liked the sandwiches sold at Japanese convenience stores and this one is just one of the weirder examples of why. I may be very conservative when it comes to sandwiches, but the one pictured above looked like someone hurled onto the bread and tried to cover up the mess with another piece of bread. The scary thing is that I'm sure food stylists did their best to make this look good.

This sandwich has egg salad, shrimp, broccoli, and, of course mayonnaise. I like broccoli, but I don't want lumps of it crammed in a sandwich. This monstrosity can be yours for a mere 298 yen ($2.84) and will provide you with 285 calories of sandwich fun.

The name of this sandwich reminded me of a Simpsons bit about gravy.

KFC and Hello Kitty lunch box set (product information)

Image from KFC Japan.

For New Year's KFC is offering a special stacking lunch box which features an adorable image of a cartoon of the Colonel hugging Hello Kitty. If your idea of lunch time giggles is a cross-species relationship, this is definitely going to be a deal you'll want to partake of. The set includes the food items pictured above (3 fries, 3 pieces of chicken and 3 tenders) for 2,200 yen (about $21 US). It may seem like poor value for a couple of plastic boxes and enough for 3 tiny servings, but those Sanrio licenses don't come cheap.