Let’s dive into what Santa brought us this year. This Christmas felt extra special: for the first time in seven Decembers together, we woke up in our own beds and opened presents beneath our own tree as a family. In previous years we’d always been traveling, so staying home made the morning feel cozy and new.
Later in the morning we joined a big, lively Petersik family gift exchange with relatives, but before that we carved out a little private time for the four of us to open gifts together. Santa had brought something extra-special for one little Petersik this year (I described it in detail in a previous post), and we were excited to see her reaction.
Clara’s big present was a play kitchen, and she also received stacks of clothes, books, toys, and her beloved leopard hat. Since people always ask what we gave each other, here’s the rundown. I snooped on Sherry’s Pinterest and discovered she wanted a pair of Kendra Scott earrings — which look lovely on her, if I may say so.
Sherry also gifted me two dangling ornaments from Crate & Barrel (one is technically a moped) to feed my growing collection of bicycle-themed decor. That gave us a chance to take a photo next to the gift we gave my dad: a bicycle-parts shirt we found on Etsy. While my interest in bikes is mostly aesthetic, my dad still rides regularly.
Both Sherry and I ended up giving each other art — which was a fun coincidence. Sherry made me a heartfelt Boy Scout merit badge collage highlighting “skills I excel at.” She was inspired by vintage badges she’d seen online; rather than buy pricey originals, she borrowed and scanned badges from a friend’s collection, printed the ones that fit me, and arranged them in a neat grid on navy craft paper leftover from earlier art projects.
The thoughtful twist is that she used each badge’s actual name to express something she loves about me, is grateful for, or that holds meaning for both of us. She even typed out a framed key explaining the badges — and I laughed out loud at letter P, which featured a squirrel icon.
We haven’t decided on the perfect spot for the collage yet, but I love its graphic simplicity and humor. It pairs nicely with the dining room curtains, so that’s a strong contender. Meanwhile, Sherry had her gift from me hung up before the day was over — she’s speedy when it comes to decorating.
On the far left of that display is a custom poster I ordered from A Vintage Poster. The idea came from a line we heard on a reality show that perfectly captured childhood imagination: “When Emerald grows up, she wants to be a photographer… or an octopus.” I tweaked the quote slightly, and the poster maker turned it into a playful, one-of-a-kind print that makes perfect sense to our little family.
It’s a sweet, quirky reminder to dream big, and the coral hue complements a painting Clara made that sits nearby.
Encouraging creative pursuits was another theme. Clara, Burger, and I gave Sherry art supplies and a gift certificate to a local art store to nudge her back toward her first passion: painting. She earned a BFA and trained as an artist, but life pushed that path aside for a while. We intentionally chose a local art shop rather than a big-box craft store so the gift would go directly toward materials and classes if she wants them. I also managed to flub the signing on the card — I almost signed “John & Sherry” out of habit. Oops. #ChristmasPresentFAIL
Sherry also found a set of tiny buttons that perfectly capture our relationship’s humor and handed them to me. She knows my quirks well and loves to poke gentle fun.
For my tech-inclined side, Sherry gifted me a remote for our camera — something I’ve often said would make life easier. Clearly she listened, and now we’ll have better options for family photos (and sillier self-timed shots).
And yes, Burger wasn’t forgotten. He’s not exactly a morning pup, so his presents were delivered to him in bed. Clara picked out a plush lion that immediately became a favorite.
There’s a great shot of him stretching and smiling with his new toy — proof he was pleased. I think that covers most of the highlights: Clara’s play kitchen, thoughtful handmade art, a nudge for Sherry to revisit painting, small funny gifts, and a few practical items that will get regular use. We also shared more details and family photos in a larger holiday post on our family site if you want to see the full spread.
Update: We’ve also rounded up some of our favorite holiday decor finds, many of which are budget-friendly.