Secret Santa: Revealed

It’s time to reveal our Secret Santa exchange. I’ve been eager to share who I had and to find out who had me, so here’s the full, cheerful recap of the gifts I gave and the wonderful surprises I received.

I was assigned Shelley from House of Smiths, which was a joy to shop for and to package for the holidays. I made two small surprise care packages with a painted, festive theme. The first contained two decorative frames I found at Michael’s. One round frame received several thin coats of glossy red spray paint for a bright, classic holiday feel. The rectangular frame had a striking wood grain that looked almost zebra-like, so I sprayed it glossy white, then dry-brushed lime green over the raised grain to pick out the texture while keeping the sides clean and white. I sealed both frames with spray poly for durability.

Along with the frames I tucked in a small ceramic container that I doodled on with permanent Sharpie markers and filled with homemade toffee. I heard the toffee was devoured fairly quickly over at Shelley’s—always nice to send a gift that’s enjoyed right away.

My second package continued the paint motif and doubled as a playful clue. I couldn’t resist tiny paint-can containers at Michael’s, so I filled them to the brim with red and green M&Ms and attached a little holiday message on a paint stir stick. I used paint chips from my leftover paint-chip stash to cut out small “tree” tags for each can, adding a handmade touch. I also included a small dish of Ukrop’s cookies—my personal favorite holiday treat. (Yes, my scissors now have “no John cuts!” written on them in Sharpie because John kept using my good scissors to cut tape—so they’re officially banned from general use.)

Putting these small, handmade gifts together was so much fun. Personal, DIY gifts like these make the holidays feel extra special, and I love that simple painting techniques and a few thoughtful treats can create a meaningful package.

As for who had me, the mystery was delightfully solved: it was Tanya at Save The Date For Cupcakes. I was genuinely surprised—my instincts had pointed elsewhere, and a vague NY postmark kept me guessing until we all revealed our matches in the big group message. Tanya’s surprises were lovely.

My first surprise from Tanya was a beautiful silver box holding three personalized glittery ornaments. They’re delicate and sparkly—perfect for the tree and great keepsakes that feel personal and festive.

The second gift was a charming box of vintage Vanity Fair postcards accompanied by another glittery ornament with feathery wings. I’m excited to flip through the postcards and already have a project in mind for them, so expect a future post showcasing what I do with this lovely vintage collection.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to Mrs. Limestone for organizing the whole Secret Santa exchange and to everyone who participated. It was a delightful way to connect with fellow bloggers and to share small, meaningful gifts during the holiday season. Participants included:

• Michelle at 4 Men 1 Lady
• Bryn at Bryn Alexandra
• Emily at Emily A. Clark
• Shelley at House of Smiths
• Melissa at The Inspired Room
• Janell at Isabella and Max Rooms
• Paloma at La Dolce Vita
• Jacin at Lovely Little Details
• Nicole at Making it Lovely
• Marian at Mustard Seed Interiors
• Lauren at Pure Style Home
• Tanya at Save the Date for Cupcakes
• Michelle at TenJune
• Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick
• Laura at You Stir Me

Secret Santa exchanges are such a fun way to celebrate the season, share DIY gift ideas, and discover thoughtful treats and decor. Did you participate in a Secret Santa this year? Were you surprised by your gift or by who had you? I’m always curious to hear about creative, budget-friendly holiday swaps and handmade gift ideas.

P.S. If you want a little holiday decorating inspiration, check out John’s quirky lighting post for some laughs and ideas.