Let’s talk about what Santa brought us this year. This Christmas felt extra special because, for the first time in seven Decembers together, we woke up in our own beds and opened presents under our own tree as a family. In past years we’d always traveled, so having that slow, cozy morning at home made everything feel different.
Later in the morning we joined a big, noisy Petersik family gift-opening gathering with relatives, but before that we carved out a quiet moment to exchange presents as a family of four. Clara received a very special gift this year—a play kitchen that she adores—which made her morning particularly magical. She also got lots of clothes, books, toys, and that beloved leopard hat she wears constantly.
People often ask what we gave each other, so here’s a rundown. I peeked at Sherry’s Pinterest to discover she liked a pair of Kendra Scott earrings, so those were an easy win and they look great on her. Sherry gave me a couple of bicycle-themed ornaments (one resembling a moped) to feed my newfound obsession with bike art. Those ornaments were a fun little nod to both the hobby and the decor shift happening around the house.
We also gifted my dad something bike-related: a bicycle parts shirt that celebrates his real-life love of riding. It was a fun way to connect his passion with a lighthearted present, and it sparked a great photo moment with my dad and me posing together.
Sherry and I unintentionally bought each other art, which made for a sweet coincidence. She made me a thoughtful collage inspired by Boy Scout merit badges. She saw vintage badges online and, rather than buy an expensive set, she borrowed badges from a friend’s son, scanned them, and created a custom collage on navy craft paper that ties back to other pieces in our home. Each badge label is used to express something she loves about me or a memory we share, and she even framed a key explaining each one. It’s simple, graphic, funny, and meaningful—exactly the kind of piece that feels personal and right at home with our dining room curtains.
Meanwhile, I surprised Sherry with a custom poster from A Vintage Poster. The phrase I used was inspired by a line from an episode of a reality show that happened to be on in the background one day: “When Emerald grows up, she wants to be a photographer… or an octopus.” I tweaked the wording and had it turned into a playful poster that’s unique to us. The coral tone pairs nicely with a painting Clara made, and the poster serves as a reminder to dream big and stay whimsical.
We also encouraged Sherry to reconnect with a long-loved hobby: painting. She has a BFA and originally trained as an artist, but life pushed that passion to the side. Knowing she’s mentioned missing art, we gave her some quality paints and a gift certificate to a local art supply store—intentionally not a chain where she might spend it on house projects. Our hope was to give her the nudge and the supplies she needs to enjoy making again.
There were other small, personal touches too. Sherry found a set of funny buttons that sum up our relationship perfectly, and she got me a practical “tech” gift: a remote for our camera, which will make it easier to take family photos and silly staged shots alike. Those simple tools often make the difference when you want more pictures without juggling the timer.
Of course Burger wasn’t left out. He’s not exactly a morning dog, so his gifts were quietly delivered to him in bed. Clara picked out a lion toy for him, which quickly became his new favorite. There’s a great photo of him stretching and smiling after he discovered it—pure dog happiness.
All in all, our Christmas was full of thoughtful, personal gifts aimed at creating memories, encouraging creativity, and celebrating shared jokes and passions. We’ve already shared more family photos and holiday details on our family blog in a larger post, but this covers the gifts we exchanged at home. What about you—did you give or receive anything especially memorable, DIY, or house-related this year?