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Young House Love » Our Second House » A Few Mail-Friendly Christmas Gifts

| By Sherry Petersik | January 6, 2012 | 129 Comments

A Few Mail-Friendly Christmas Gifts

It’s time for: Secret Santa: Revealed. That makes me laugh because I imagine some man with a deep serious voice introducing a show with that name after Dateline or something. Anyway, since a bunch of you have asked for the Secret Santa dirt (and I couldn’t wait to spill who I had and to learn who had me!) here it is:

I had… (drumroll? anyone? can I at least some table slapping or something?)… House Of Smiths! It was so much fun to pack up two little surprise care packages for her. The first one included two decorative frames from Michael’s that I personalized with some paint in the name of some Christmas cheer (they were both originally dark brown).

Secret Santa Frames Close1

I thought the red and the green combo was cheerful and fun for a Christmas gift, so the round one got a few thin coats of the glossy red spray paint that I also used to paint my paper maché reindeer and the rectangular one had such a cool wood grain (it kind of looked zebra-ish to me) that I painted it glossy white and dragged a dry brush with some lime green paint over it to catch just the raised part of the grain, while the sides remain white (then I sealed it with some spray poly). When I was at Michael’s I also grabbed a little ceramic container that I doodled on with a few permanent sharpie markers and filled with toffee. Mmmm. I heard it was devoured pretty quickly over there too! So glad.

Frames After1

It was amazing to me how many commenters guessed that I had House Of Smiths right away (how’d you guys know!). My second little holiday care package was more of a clue, I think. I went with a paint theme. Haha. See… that’s a clue. I couldn’t resist these sweet tiny paint can containers in the food aisle of Michael’s so I decided to fill them to the brim with red and green M&Ms and write a little holiday message on a paint stick.

Secret Santa Paint After

I even used paint chips from my weird leftover paint chip bin (yes I have one of those) to cut out little homemade “tree” tags for the top of each can. And in went another little dish of goodies (this time I went with the famed cookies from Ukrops – they’re the best!). Any yes, my scissors do say “no John cuts!” in Sharpie. He kept using my good scissors to do things like cut sticky tape. Now he’s banned.

Secret Santa Paint Chips

Secret Santa Paint Close

So that’s what I gave my sweet bloggy buddy, Shelley. Is it weird that I had so much fun putting these little things together? Oh Christmas, I miss ya already.

As for who had me, it was Tanya at Save The Date For Cupcakes! I was completely surprised by the way (not just saying that – I honestly had no idea). I actually had a hunch it was someone else but the postmark on the package shot that down – and being that it just said NY it was vague enough to confuse me enough to keep the mystery going until the big ok-who-had-who email where we all spilled the beans.

Secret Santa1

I already shared my first surprise here (a gorgeous little silver box with three glittery personalized ornaments):

Ornaments

And my second surprise was just as sweet! A box of vintage Vanity Fair postcards with another pretty glittery ornament for the tree (feathery wings)! It’s so much fun to flip through my new postcard collection – and I actually think I have a great project that I can do with them so I can’t wait to see where that leads! You know I’ll keep you posted.

Secret Santa Vanity Fair

A big thanks to Mrs. Limestone for organizing this whole shebang and all the other Secret Santa cohorts like:

  • 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

So much fun! Did any of you do any Secret Santa business this year? Did you know who had you the whole time or were you surprised? And how the heck did so many of you know that I had Shelley the second she revealed my frames? I thought it was so obscure and random that no one would know it was me! Haha.

Psst- Check out John’s weird little lighting obsession (and imagine what he’d look like in a Snuggie) here.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

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Filed Under: Holiday & Entertaining, Our Second House

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Kristen @ Popcorn on the StoveKristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I knew you had House of Smiths! It was the font you used in the picture frames. I love the vanity fair postcards … they’re so interesting!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Leslie AnnLeslie Ann says

      January 6, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      i agree. definitely the writing in the frames. it was cute, and it had a cute saying in it (“chica”), and it had a heart. heart’s are SO younghouselove, haha.

  2. Avatar for MorganMorgan says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:24 am

    I love that your scissors say “Good Scissors”. I had to go buy a new pair bc my husband kept fussing at me about using his kitchen scissors!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:29 am

      Haha- I had to claim those suckers as my own!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for SharonSharon says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:14 am

      Ha, my sewing scissors are marked in Sharpie with SEW and my husband looked at them one day and asked why I had his brother’s scissors. His brother’s name is WES and he was looking at the scissors upside-down.

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:16 am

      Hahaha.

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

      January 6, 2012 at 12:53 pm

      You shouldn’t use your good fabric scissors to cut anything but fabric! You can really dull the blade so I have a pair of fabric scissors and another great pair for paper crafts and then of course the household pair.

    • Avatar for heatherheather says

      January 6, 2012 at 1:25 pm

      I looked over the other day while cooking dinner and my husband had my nice sewing scissors and he was cutting a meat package open. My fault, I left them on the counter. They have now been relegated to kitchen & other shiz scissors.

      Note – always put my scissors away – and mark them.

  3. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:27 am

    The “xoxo” tipped me off because that’s what you sign off with! That, and the typography within the frames.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for SandiSandi says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Yup, knew which was yours all along!! Super-cute.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Julia @ Chris loves JuliaJulia @ Chris loves Julia says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:31 am

    I knew you had House of Smiths as soon as I saw those little trees drawn of the ceramic container. Those colors are YOUR colors. Can’t wait to see what you do with those postcards. So awesome.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:32 am

    This is how I knew right away!

    https://www.younghouselove.com/2-holiday-hallway-tweaks/

    and

    https://www.younghouselove.com/nice-mugs/

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Melanie @ Mailbox JourneyMelanie @ Mailbox Journey says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I think what gave it away that you had House of Smiths was that you made the same HO HO HO image for your frame wall :P

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:36 am

      Haha- the funny thing is that was weeks later! We were instructed to send off our first gifts to arrive around the beginning of December. A few weeks later I thought “if I’m switching out 25 frames in the hall, who is going to notice that?” – but observant folks like you do!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:43 am

      But, I didn’t even see House of Smiths’ post until after you guys posted about your Secret Santa gift and linked over there. And that was after you’d revealed the frame wall changes. :)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:51 am

      Haha, true! Never thought about that!

      xo,
      s

  8. Avatar for CaseyCasey says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I think it was the HO HO HO picture ALSO in your hallway!

    https://www.younghouselove.com/2-holiday-hallway-tweaks/

    Reply
  9. Avatar for PennyPenny says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:33 am

    I’m probably the 100th person to say it by now, but it was the holiday tweak to your hallway frame gallery that gave ya away. You did a lovely job! And I like the sharpie doodles on the ceramic dishes. Maybe I’ll try that next year. Do you know if sharpie doodles can survive the dishwasher?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Hmm, I think it depends how shiny your ceramic is. I think some sort of rough ceramic (like a mug that feels matte) might hold it forever. But something too shiny might wipe off with hot hot water and lots of pressure, so maybe just hand wash the inside after use?

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for PennyPenny says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:05 am

      Thanks for the tip! Also, “sharpie doodle” now looks like the name of some breed of dog. Whoops!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:07 am

      Hahahahahaha- like a labradoodle. Hilarious.

      xo,
      s

  10. Avatar for bridget b.bridget b. says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Your gifts (both given and received) were very cute! I really like the green frame. It kind of has a zebra print look to it.

    p.s. I saw Clara’s kitchen over on Ohdeedoh yesterday. http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/diy/diy-play-kitchen-for-christmasyoung-house-love-164015

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:38 am

      No way! Thanks for the heads up Bridget!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for bridget b.bridget b. says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:49 am

      you’re welcome your royal highness of diy. :)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Ack- don’t make me get all clammy and awkward again. I feel the red cheeks creeping up…

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Rebecca @This Nest is BestRebecca @This Nest is Best says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:56 am

      I love that they called you the “royal couple of DIY” :D

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:12 am

      I totally audibly gasped and blushed while reading it aloud to John. Of course I stopped reading to gasp and blush and John was like “what? why did you stop” – I had to gain my composure. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  11. Avatar for MarieMarie says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:35 am

    ohh, the vanity fair postcards are GORGEOUS! Looking forward to seeing what you get up to with them : )

    Reply
  12. Avatar for taratara says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:35 am

    I also guessed you were the one who sent the frames!! It was just so “sherry” :) I loved reading all the different posts about the gifts! You guys should do another one like “sneaky bunny” for easter or something!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:36 am

      Haha- never heard of Sneaky Bunny! Sounds fun!

      xo
      s

  13. Avatar for Regan @ RenovatingRothenbergersRegan @ RenovatingRothenbergers says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:40 am

    I knew you had House of Smiths! The color on the frames & xo gave it all away :)

    Reply
  14. Avatar for KathrynKathryn says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I love Secret Santa…especially at work. Makes my day brighter.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Heather CHeather C says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I knew it! I knew it! I totally guessed it was Save the date for cupcakes! :) So glad you had so much fun! I think I’m going to have to start something like this with my friends next year! I love the thought and craftyness of the gifts!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for CherylCheryl says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Hee hee, keep us posted on the postcard project… I liked the unintentional pun :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:51 am

      Haha- I’m an accidental comedic genius. Not really.

      xo,
      s

  17. Avatar for GretchenFGretchenF says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:43 am

    This comment SO doesn’t fit here, but I figured it would be better to put it here rather than add to your in-box. Anyway, I pinned this and thought of John. The post says that it could be printed as big as 16×20. I’m not talented enough to do that, but I printed it as an 8×10 and framed it and it’s a sweet zero dollar addition to our guest room.

    http://www.irocksowhat.com/2012/01/free-bicycle-print-from-me-to-you.html

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Gorgeous! I love it so much!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Bernadette @ B3HDBernadette @ B3HD says

      January 6, 2012 at 1:23 pm

      This print is so awesome! My hubby needs to get back on his bike again and this is such a great gentle nudge. Stylish to boot! The comments here are always so great!

  18. Avatar for Rebecca @This Nest is BestRebecca @This Nest is Best says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:48 am

    I actually have a deep rooted fear/hatred of Secret Santas from a bad experience in HS (how funny is that???), but this one looked like so much fun! And your postcards are gorgeous – I cant wait to see what you do with them!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for GinaGina says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Ukrops….yum!! We lived in Richmond for several years while my husband did his residency there at MCV and their bakery was visited quite often!!
    Your gifts were great. Love that lime green frame especially!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for BeccaBecca says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I do secret santa through one of the dog forums I’m on! I had no clue who had me until the moderator was updating everyone who hadn’t received their packages – she told me mine was coming a loooong way. Turns out, it was from Australia! I live in Syracuse NY :)

    The girl I ended up getting was a perfect match – not only were we the same age, one of each of our dogs shared a birthday, AND she was a HUGE Syracuse University basketball fan! Made sure to send along some SU goodies complete with doggy bandannas :) Oh and she lives in Florida and I also used to live in Florida!

    It’s funny, every time I do SS I end up having some crazy connection to my recipient.

    Reply
    • Avatar for BeccaBecca says

      January 6, 2012 at 10:50 am

      Oh and sidenote – I made those swirly glass ornaments for my recipient – I customized with silver glitter letters so I could personalize every ornament for each dog and her!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:16 am

      Aw, sweet!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Wow- so much fun!

      xo,
      s

  21. Avatar for Mrs LimestoneMrs Limestone says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:53 am

    I was amazed so many people guessed you too. I guess your readers really pay attention to what you keep in stock :)

    Thanks so much for playing!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:12 am

      Aw thanks for having me Stefanie – it was tons of fun!

      xo,
      s

  22. Avatar for JylJyl says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:57 am

    This comment is completely unrelated to this post, I’m sorry.

    Perhaps you’ve seen that “Post the video of the #1 song during the week you were born” trend on Facebook. Well, my video was by Men At Work. And I realized something. John Petersik you look like a more attractive version (I say in a happily married way, Sorry Sherry!) of young Colin Hay! Check out Men At Work’s “Who Can it Be Now” video (Skip to 1:05 to see what I mean)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swQi4CAzmrA

    Do you see it!?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:11 am

      OH MY GOSH TOTALLY!!! I called over to John to watch it with me and seeing his face come towards me while this was playing was like watching him and his older twin. Now I know what he’ll look like in a decade or so. Cute! I’m down. He totally even makes the same dorky faces. Thankfully he doesn’t wear striped socks with no pants like that though…

      xo,
      s

  23. Avatar for Anne @ Twentysomething TrainwreckAnne @ Twentysomething Trainwreck says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:58 am

    How cute! We actually have one of those Vanity Fair covers up on our gallery wall in the living room. It’s the orangeish one with the yellow dress, and it makes me happy every time I look up there. So cheery!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:08 am

      So pretty!

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for melissa @ the inspired roommelissa @ the inspired room says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:59 am

    This was fun! I think we should do Secret Cupid and then Secret Easter Bunny next!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:08 am

      Love it!

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for EthneEthne says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:00 am

    We do SSanta at work and it’s our fave. I didn’t know who had me, but the person I had guessed me right away. I figured she would, and knew the presents I gave her would give my identity away, but I still wanted to give her those gifts. FUN!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Allison @ Quite Simply HomeAllison @ Quite Simply Home says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Definitely was the font in the frames. So straight and clean and so YHL! Love it!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for NoraNora says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:03 am

    My mom has kitchen scissors I’m not allowed to touch anymore. She didn’t write on them, but I feel like there’s a sign above them that says. “No, Nora, no. Hands off.”

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:08 am

      Haha- too funny. I love that you heed her wishes without marker threats. I had to resort to those!

      xo,
      s

  28. Avatar for SaraSara says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I must have missed the first post about what you were giving to your Secret Santa, but I just wanted to say, I never, ever, ever, thought about spray painting a Michael’s frame. I need to open my mind a bit, because they have awesome frames, but they are mostly all BROWN! Great idea!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:14 am

    where did she get those vanity fair postcards?
    OBSESSED :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:15 am

      Maybe check somewhere like amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com? Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  30. Avatar for JenJen says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:16 am

    What a fun idea to do a Blog World Secret Santa! Looks like you guys had a great time doing it, too.

    A quick suggestion on sticky scissors, btw. There’s a product you can get at Walmart and Dollar Stores called Goo Gone (I bet you could get it other places, too. Those are just where I know I’ve seen it before). It works like magic on sticky things! Just scrub the scissors until the sticky is all gone then soap them down and you’ll save your favorite pairs!

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:24 am

      Thanks for the tip Jen!

      xo,
      s

  31. Avatar for EileenEileen says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:22 am

    For me, the dead give away was the “Chica” :) It’s so very you, Sherry.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Jess @ Little House. Big Heart.Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Haha! I love that you label you scissors! The hubs keeps using my good kitchen shears to cut things like duct tape and old card board. I need to write “FOOD ONLY” on them!

    I love the idea of a blog secret Santa! Maybe some of us “little guys” need to do the same thing next year! :)

    Reply
  33. Avatar for CherieCherie says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:45 am

    I love that your husband is banned from your scissors. Mine is, too! I’ve had to hide them because he’ll use them to cut peel and stick tiles and other gross, sticky things. It makes me crazy! Glad to see I’m not alone. :)

    Reply
  34. Avatar for Amy DAmy D says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:51 am

    I love how creative you are! I would not have thought to grab half that stuff and make it into such a cute gift!

    My office does secret santa. This year I did a movie night at home, with a copy of Princess Bride, a popcorn box from Target, a cute penguin mug, and some hot chocolate, popcorn, and candy. Last year I gave mine homemade hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows with a pretty mug.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:58 am

      So cute!

      xo,
      s

  35. Avatar for Jamie@WrightHouseAffairs.com[email protected] says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:57 am

    Love those vintage postcards- I can’t wait to see you guys incorporate those into your home somewhere (as I know you will)!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for JessJess says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Love everything you made! But my husband’s (very Richmond) grandmother is probably rolling over in her grave at you calling those rainbow cookies.. those are butterstar cookies! Though they are both tasty so wins all around. :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm

      Haha – we have always heard them called rainbow cookies! Whatever they’re called, they’re delicious!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for CourtCourt says

      January 6, 2012 at 1:15 pm

      The rainbow cookies are the ones that are red, yellow, and green and look like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithmuth/3744251162/

  37. Avatar for Jen @ The Decor SceneJen @ The Decor Scene says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Love both the presents you gave and received!!! Looks like it was lots of fun. :)

    Reply
  38. Avatar for AllynAllyn says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    I love your Secret Santa gifts (given and received)!
    As for the whole Dateline revealed thing… may I just say that I saw soome people take pics with some EXTREMELY creepy looking Santas this year. Wouldn’t be surprised to see one of them revealed at all.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for VeronikaVeronika says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    I would know those frames were from you because of the font you used! It’s a popular font here in YHL!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:27 pm

      You guys are so observant it’s crazy! And I love it.

      xo,
      s

  40. Avatar for amandaamanda says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    My best friend, Simon, brother, sister, our mom, the three girls we grew up with, Shayna, Hunter, and Raven, and their mom all did a secret Santa this year. It was a good success. Raven had me and gave me a bag of chapstick. It was sort of an inside joke because one time I had a dyslexia moment with my speech. I meant to say, “my lips are making me ugly.” It came out as, “my lips; I’m ugly.” Since that moment everyone has quotes me about my chapped lips. Curse you MA winters!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      Haha- I have a thing for lip balm too! Addicted. And when I don’t have it, my lips totally make me ugly. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  41. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    We love secret santa at our house so much! We’ve participated in a pet forums secret santa for 4 years in a row and it’s great! I love shopping for animals I don’t have. One year I had to figure out how to send live bugs to some iguanas, and last year I had rabbits and parrots!

    This year we also go in to a fashion/nail polish swap with our online group and it was great to get nail polish from Belgium and Australia!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      That sounds like so much fun!

      xo,
      s

  42. Avatar for Bernadette @ B3HDBernadette @ B3HD says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    Those postcards are to die for!

    If you have the space for another (different) take on a gallery wall, I think you should frame them all up somewhere. Although I liked the picture/knick knack ledge from your first home office too.

    I did the frame up gig in my most recent blog post. I had a collection of really neat Native Americana postcards that I just COULD. NOT. stand to not look at. Every time I have to visit the powder room (smile).

    Happy holidays!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for heatherheather says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    If I received any form of bright green/grellow gift and you were on the potential list, I’d have you pegged in a second haha <3

    I'm apparently not observant enough to note the switch that everyone else noticed to give it away though.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for RyanRyan says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Great little gift ideas! Good job on the frames. They look really nice compared to just plain old brown!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Shelley SmithShelley Smith says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for your sweet gifts!!! They were so fun to get in the mail, and the second I posted about them, everyone guessed you! haha! That’s what you get for having awesome ‘defined’ style eh!?
    Thanks again! Now to just hook-up in REAL life…someday…! :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:20 pm

      So glad you liked ’em. Here’s hoping we can meet in the flesh one of these days!

      xoxo,
      s

  46. Avatar for mpmp says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    The butterstar cookies are a Richmond tradition — does the bakery still give them out to tiny customers? My daughter made sure we always detoured by the bakery so she could score her cookie!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:22 pm

      Aw, that’s cute! I haven’t noticed that but I haven’t loitered enough in the bakery aisle to know for sure! I should start doing that!

      xo,
      s

  47. Avatar for Shelby P.Shelby P. says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    I love that John pays so much attention to photo details. Speaking of lighting-What lighting plans do you have for the new and improved kitchen? Will you keep the fan? I just remember on Trading Spaces how they took all the ceiling fans out. How does anyone expect me to sleep without a ceiling fan?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 4:29 pm

      Haha- the fan’s dead! We’re bringing in four can lights in the kitchen area and two pendants over the peninsula!

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for JessJess says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Rainbow cookies are yellow, green, and red. You definitely need to try some!

    Look for these: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithmuth/3744251162/

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      Haha- mmmm! Thanks!

      xo,
      s

  49. Avatar for Teresa @ wherelovemeetslifeTeresa @ wherelovemeetslife says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    That just looked like so much fun! :) Glad you shared and thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for Sarah BSarah B says

    January 6, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    I get excited about giving gifts too! I got the best compliment this year when a recipient told me “You always give the best gifts!”

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 6, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      Aw, that’s the best compliment ever!

      xo,
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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