We realized in all of this new house hubbub we never shared what we gifted each other for Christmas. Fishsticks! (No, we didn’t give each other fishsticks, I’m just practicing our resolution to not curse around the baby anymore).
Sherry wins the “best gift” award this year. In continuing her efforts to grow our art collection, she considered a couple of Richmond-themed pieces (including this one that we’ve always liked) and finally ended up getting me this awesome Richmond Type Map:
It’s a colorful map of our fair city made up entirely of identifying text. See what I mean?
The black grid is made up of street names and the colored area behind them are the neighborhoods. So if you’re equal parts Richmond enthusiast, map connoisseur, and typography lover (like me) it’s basically the gift trifecta. Oh, and some of the proceeds of each map go to a local kids art charity called Art180. We haven’t picked out the perfect spot for it in the house yet, so for now it’s joining the pile of frames in the family room that are sitting around waiting to be hung.
I was a close second (aka last place) for the “best gift” distinction this year. Given Sherry’s growing love of tea-drinking I finally got her a proper tea kettle (no more microwaving) and two new mugs. The kettle is the Chantal Loop in cobalt blue (which seems to be our color of the moment given that it’s actually pretty similar to the backs of our built-ins). And the “Tunnel Vision” mugs are from an NYC-based dishware shop called Fishs Eddy. I figured it was a nice nod to the city where we met (NY) and the state where Sherry was born and raised (Jersey, baby).
Of course gift giving isn’t really a competition. But if it were, there is one area in which we’d tie. When my sister drew Sherry’s name in our “Petersik Sibling Gift Exchange” (which keeps the adults in our family from going present-crazy because we each just have one person to shop for) I suggested that she get Sherry a new Three Designing Women stamper with our new address on it (we both loved saving our hand and using our old one to mail out things like thank yous and holiday cards). Sherry apparently had the same thought and ordered one for me too, which I opened about ten seconds after she opened hers.
Since they’re customized gifts we can’t exactly return one, but at least we chose two different designs (my sister ordered the design on top, Sherry ordered the one on the bottom). So for now we’ve decided to just enjoy being able to mix things up when it comes to stamping our return address on stuff. And Sherry actually loves the one on top more than the one she chose, so she’s happy about the whole overlapping gift snafu.
So that’s how we Santa’d each other this year (well, with a little help from my sister). What about you guys? We’d love to hear what you guys scored – especially if it’s home related. Any ceramic animals?
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Erin N says
Hahaha… actually… YES! I got two white ceramic birds from my mom!!! You can see them here… http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbgigglestick/5331661516/
So exciting, I’m in love with them!!! And since we both read your blog, I’m pretty sure you inspired her to get them for me :) Right mom?
Kerry says
Hi guys! We went and ordered the typographical map of Richmond after we saw it on your blog (my husband and I went to college at University of Richmond) and we LOVE it! I wanted to see – what did you guys do about framing it? I didn’t really want to shell out the money for a custom frame, but because of the odd size (19″ x 25″), there were no ready-made ones at Target. I ended up ordering a fairly plain frame from Amazon from a seller that makes custom sizes like that. How did you frame yours?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kerry,
We have yet to frame ours yet but we’re thinking we’ll retrofit it to an Ikea frame. We’ll blog all about it when we tackle it!
xo,
s
Summer says
There is just nothing cuter than a laughing baby!
Mindy says
I love baby giggles, you really can’t get any better than that. My little one is 10 months and she loves to laugh too–it’s a little addicting. :) Awesome gift ideas!
Kate says
Great gifts! I adore those stampers…
My Mister and I redecorated our open l.room/kitchen/dining area for our “gift” to eachother. I found some gorgeous dark tealish blue grommet panels for our front bow window. We painted out fireplace with “Winter Mood” by Pittsburg(!!! one of the best things we have EVER done in our home!), painted our main wall “Cathedral Glass” by Pittsburg Paints. I also went to our local Fabricville and nabbed some sexy patterned fabric for reuphoulstering our dining chairs! The outcome is gorgeous… I’m so glad we waited a year to settle in so we knew what we REALLY wanted to go with for this main space of ours. Our floors are espresso laminate planks. We have Choco-brown + Camel furniture.. It all just flows. Love teal & brown together!!
Christine says
Fishsticks!..Love it!…around here we say “What the fruit?”
Melody says
Clara is so cute! Her laugh is infectious!
Rach says
Wow! Love the map, that is so cool! My parents gave my husband and I some Pottery Barn organizers we had been ogling for months, and my mom gave me a jewelry box I can hang on my wall which is so pretty. Sibs gave us new cloth diapers for our baby and john and I gave each other a new flatscreen tv to replace our 15 year old model that was a total eyesore ( it was a fabulous deal, you guys would have been proud! So, not a lot of our usual creative approach this year, but a lot of practical things that will help us organize our house (and keep our baby’s bum dry).
Gina @ Temporary Nest says
Oh that is so funny!! I got Italian wine glasses from Fish Eddy from my sister in law! I did a post about them here:
http://temporary-nest.blogspot.com/2010/12/fish-eddy-wine-o.html
I also got a level hahaha. You know you’re into you house when people buy you level’s for Christmas!! hahaha Great gifts guys! :) Happy New Year!
Sandra says
That video of Clara left a big smile on my face!!! Thank you for posting that! You will be so glad that you have her video taped because she will grow so fast (I know, I know, you’ve heard that before!). But as a Mom to two boys ages 11 and 13, I can attest it went by VERY quickly and moments like the one you posted above are SO special!
Your Ontario,Canada friend:
Sandra
:)
Rachel says
It was a wonderful Christmas. I got a shiny new set of Cuisinart stainless steel cookware and a wall-mounted pot rack to go with – love it! I also got a label maker – can’t wait to do some January organizing!
Stephanie says
I got the same tea pot for Christmas!
Ashley J says
Ceramic animals? Check. The hubs ordered me the West Elm owls which I’ve been adoring from afar, (4 hrs to the closest WE from here), I mentioned I wanted them to him once. I couldn’t believe it when I opened them Christmas morning! He actually does pay attention to what I say sometimes;) That meant more than the owls themselves.
Tiffany says
Love the map!
XOXO,
http://outfitidentifier.com/
nikki says
Clara was too cute in that video, and she’s finally getting a little noticable peach fuzz :) (not everyone can rock bald, but she’s a looker!)
Have you tried a tape measurer? My former boss has a video of her son when he was about that age doing belly giggles as they pulled out the tape and then let it go. Love baby laughs!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, I like it. Home improvement themed fun.
xo,
s
Jessie says
My husband got me a 4-slice toaster for Christmas, and I was so giddy! The 2-slice toaster we had was SO TERRIBLE. The bread didn’t go down all the way, so we’d have to stop mid-toast and flip the bread to get the entire piece toasted. It’s not much, but it was an AWESOME gift. :) And that video of Clara is just too adorable. Something about a baby laughing…I could be in the worst mood ever and hearing a baby laugh makes it all go away.
Amy S says
You have just given me the best idea EVER!! The link to the other Richmond print that you said you’ve always liked… she also has a Boston print. The scene shows the couple literally on the spot where my husband and I got engaged, and IT WAS RAINING WHEN HE PROPOSED!! Ok, our umbrellas were not red, but it’s still crazy how appropriate that gift is. And, hello, fifteen bucks?! Thank you so much for the link!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s perfect! So glad that print found you!
xo,
s
Rosemary says
The poster is wonderful, but tea accessories win the “best gift” category for me. My boyfriend got me a bright green teapot and matching Pantone mug (color 376C, in case you’re wondering). It’s the best gift.
Also, the map reminds me of the blog typornography.blogspot.com. Do you know it? (It’s not as crude as the title suggests.) It’s no longer updated, which is a shame, but they have some great stuff.
YoungHouseLove says
Amazingly we’ve never heard of that site. Off to check it out!
xo,
s
Karen says
Hi! Love your blog, fellow Richmonder here myself. Just wanted to give you the heads up that there’s a huge liquidation sale at Capital Floors and Decorating. No idea if it’ll be any good but I heard about it and thought about you two. Here’s a link if you want more info
http://www.downtownshortpump.com/2011/01/06/locally-owned-flooring-decorating-company-holds-liquidation-sale-following-bank-pressure/
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the heads up! We’ll have to look into it.
xo,
s
nikki says
Hey Sherry and John,
I saw that you were wanting to get rid of your consele table to get something bigger. WE just bought a house and your old one is exactly what we are looking for. Please let me know when you decide to put it up for sale. I would love you have it. If you like you could email me. LOok foward to hearing from you;)
YoungHouseLove says
You got it Nikki. We’ll make a big blog announcement whenever we’re craigslisting or selling anything as we replace them down the road. It might not be this month or anything, but we’ll keep everyone posted as we go!
xo,
s
Owen's mom says
So, what did Clara get for Christmas :)?
YoungHouseLove says
So many things! Our family spoiled her to death! She got clothes (sleepers, outfits, even a cute bathing suit), toys (including wood blocks, a talking bear, a fake cell phone that she loves
talking toscreaming at), books (we love reading with the bean and she loves eating and throwing her books), and most of all lots of kisses and cuddles from the family. So much fun.xo,
s
cristina s says
I love your thoughtful gifts to one another. This year we set a 10 dollar limit. I got a display case with several small squares (to display our rock collection from places visited across the world) & I customized four beer glasses with etching cream for him + had our cat make an art piece with her paw & black paint :) Silly, but it was just what 10 bucks can get you
Andrea says
I too was wondering what Clara got, wondering if there were any favorite or unique toys that everyone is loving?
YoungHouseLove says
She loved the ribbons and wrapping paper the most. And the jingle bell on the door of Grammy’s house! She did get some great board books that she loves, and that fake cell phone is her current favorite toy since she’s quite the chatterbox these days. Ha. It’s made by B (a toy company sold at Target- we love them cause they’re green).
xo,
s
Alyssa says
Such a funny, cute video:) She’s silly!! Does she have her two bottom teeth? My son doesn’t have any yet…feel like he’s been teething FOREVER!! Great gifts! My hubby and I gifted ourselves in November with iPhones:) finally gettin’ with the times up in herrrrr!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, she wanted her two front teeth for Christmas but only got one. The second one popped through by New Years though!
xo,
s
Kaitlyn says
I bought my husband a Dremel rotary tool. He says he has already used it, but hasn’t shown me what on. I imagine I’ll find something random carved in the baseboards or something in a couple of months!
Megan says
I love the Three Designing Women stamps! I have one of their initial ones, but have eyed the address ones for MONTHS.
You know what would be fabulous? You should talk them into being a site sponsor and then you could hook us up with a discount code! hmmmmmm…..
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Megan,
We actually did a giveaway with them a while back. Hmm. It wouldn’t hurt to ask if they’d offer a YHL discount code for you guys. We’ll let you know if that works!
xo,
s
Emily says
Clara’s face at the end of that video is hysterical…I can’t tell who she looks like more, you or John! Who do you guys think she looks like?
YoungHouseLove says
She looks just like John as a baby but with my eyes.
xo,
s
Jill says
Great post!
Every year we tell each other we aren’t going to exchange gifts. We get whatever we want throughout the year and don’t need to spend the extra money at Christmas.
This year was no different! We are renovating a house so when anyone asks what we got each other for Christmas we say “New floors, trim and paint!”
Amy C says
John’s tube noise just made my boston terrier Charlie go mental. She’s running around the room trying to find the source!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha- so sorry Charlie!
xo,
s
abby says
I have the exact same teakettle in the same color, Sherry! I registered for it and I will tell you that we’ve used it every day since our wedding (900 days today!) and love it. Hmmm. I might go make some tea right now…
sophia says
That video of Clara was hilarious! You guys must have a blast entertaining her and vice versa. I can’t wait to have kiddos myself! Are you guys planning on having another one soon or will you wait a while?
YoungHouseLove says
We’re planning to wait a nice long time, both for medical reasons (Clara and I had a few complications during birth so the doc is adamant about having at least two years between Clara and my next pregnancy) and also because we just want to enjoy her for a while. We’re having so much fun with her that we just want to savor it!
xo,
s
Susan says
I did not receive any ceramic animals myself, but I did think of Sherry while I was watching CSI tonight and spotted a white ceramic rhino in the middle of a coffee table on the show. He looked quite regal!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man I missed it!
xo,
s
Christie says
Hi Guys! Sounds like great minds think alike!
I was lucky enough to score a set of white pug bookends which are patiently waiting their turn to appear on my new faux mantlepiece. check them out! http://oh-my-la.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-must-have-been-good-this-year.html
AnaLisa says
I love those return address stamps. So practical, elegant, fun and cute all at once. Great money saver in the long run too. :)
Bre says
I’m still on the hunt for a ceramic rhino head for our wall, my husband thinks it’s an odd thing to long for but I’m sure you all understand! For Christmas my hubby cleared out the spare room and opened it up for a studio/office for me, I thought that was incredibly sweet and thoughtful!
Susan says
Adorable video! I have a question about the door behind them… are those three peepholes in the door?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Susan,
On is a peep hole and two are the screws from the big metal door knocker that’s installed on the other side.
xo,
s
CA Colleen says
You seem to have a knack for finding inexpensive (and yet not cheap) art. Do you have any tips on where to look? And how to make sure what you are buying online will actually look good in person? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey CA Colleen,
This is just one of those trust your instincts things. If I see something that I think “hey, that’s cool” I usually don’t buy it. But if I see something that’s too perfect for words (I’m so in love with it and everything from the size to the color scheme to the subject is right up our alley) then I jump on it – assuming it’s in our budget of course. That has really helped us build up meaningful and personalized art that doesn’t break the bank without drowning in prints and painting that we think are ok. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Valentina says
In August I moved to my first official home (I have lived alone before, but only for a couple of months at a time, for work… this should be a little more permanent). It’s a rental so I can’t really change the furniture or do a lot of home improvement projects… Anyway, almost all the members of my family gave me a home-related present (especially for the kitchen since I really love to cook, it’s more a life-style than a simple passion). I feel so lucky. I received a professional ceramic knife, a quilt (made by my mother), an amazing cotton tablecloth, a balck-&-white sushi set, a tea selection and a wine decanter. :)
rdf says
Adorable video/baby and ace presents (sherry, tea in a microwave??!!)!
On the video your house sounds kind of echoey and empty. Now that is the sound of potential!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes! The future dining room (where we were standing) is particularly echoy! There’s practically nothing in it! So much potential…
xoxo,
s
Elizabeth says
Loved the post!
The video of Clara takes the cake! What a great laugh-it is so great that you both get to spend so much time with her! Enjoy!
Jany says
I got something that’s not home related but more craft related- I got a Yudu, a home screen printing system. I’ve been ogling it for awhile! It’s really simple and easy to use, although I did ruin the first screen I tried to do..oops. I think this is something that you guys could get really creative with! I also got a Rosetta Stone French which has been really fun so far. I look forward to going back to Paris and being able to order my coffee and croissant! Bonne Annee!
Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife says
I just had to comment: We are trying to stop cursing around our baby (s) too! It’s a good thing you started now. Currently, our 18 month old runs around saying, “oh shit”…
Erin says
I know you guys will appreciate this one. We just closed on our home in December. It was built in 75 and we love it however the interior doors were so nasty so for Christmas my husband bought me six panel white doors for all the bedrooms and bathrooms and one closet that the door was literally hanging off the hinge. Woohoo!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s an awesome gift! John’s dad got and hung new six panel doors for John’s mom one Valentines day about 20 years ago. So sweet!
xo,
s
Kris says
I got a teapot too! I love the Richmond map- I’m a graphic designer and it’s right up my “alley”. My hub and I went to school at UR, so am a Richmond “fan”. Not-so-subtle puns for you this a.m.! Have so much enjoyed finding your blog- you guys are so clever, and your writing style is delightful :)
susan says
My motto: Give me a map and a mouth and I can get anywhere. Yep, I love maps too and would love to hang some on my wall. My favorite gift Sherry would love- a wooden box filled with 4 types of Tazo teas. Off to get a cup now! susan
Tiffany T. says
Great post! I love the video too. I hope one day I have a kid that’s as precious as yalls!
Jennifer says
We saw a super cool print at a downtown shop close to our house here in Toronto, similar idea to the Richmond print Sherry gave…it was $280 backaroos :( No way were we spending that….soooo thanks to google, I found the designer directly online….Ork Posters…bought it for my honey for a grand total of $32 dollas baby, including shipping to Canada…$32 bucks, much more our style…holla!!! She has quite an array of cities to choose from…www.orkposters.com…and the funny thing is, she nailed all of the little neighbourhood perfectly!
Hollie says
Oh my gosh, the video is so cute! Clara is adorable!
Jessica@reisfeltadventure says
I love that map! My husband also loves maps and we’ve been on the look out for one of our own city. This year for Christmas, everyone must have had the same idea as to what to give me because I received a lot of turquoise home decor gifts, including a handmade pillow and calendar from my mom! You can read about them here:
http://reisfeltadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/im-dreaming-of-turquoise-christmas.html
carolinaheartstrings says
Great gifts. I love the stamper and must have one. Cannot wait to see where the artwork piece ends up.