We can hardly believe it’s nearly 2009. It feels like summer just passed, yet the holidays have come and gone. Here’s a look at what we received this year.
First up, my parents generously gifted us a full 10-piece set of Cuisinart GreenWare, an eco-friendly nonstick cookware line. Sherry had already surprised me with an oversized skillet for my birthday back in November, and we were impressed with the recycled stainless-steel handles and the Ceramica nonstick finish, which is free of petroleum, PTFE and PFOA. It gives you the convenience of nonstick cooking without the worries associated with traditional Teflon coatings. Getting the complete set means we can sauté, simmer and steam to our hearts’ content.
This year our family followed a playful gift theme: “Hey Good Lookin’ Watcha Got Cookin’?” which steered presents toward the kitchen. Sherry added to the theme by giving me a tiered spice rack. I’ve been cooking more lately and collecting spices—coriander, thyme, rosemary and the like—so the rack is perfect. It gives me plenty of storage, keeps everything visible and makes grabbing the right seasoning quick and easy.
Sherry also surprised me with a round capiz frame from Anthropologie, already filled with a photo from our cupcake-feeding one-year anniversary. It complements the other capiz frames we have in the bedroom and the sentiment was especially sweet.
I returned the favor by gifting Sherry a clean white cylinder vase from West Elm, plus a homemade garland of twelve flowers to represent a bouquet each month for a year. We love bringing the outdoors in, and Sherry adores fresh flowers, so committing to a little monthly color felt like a great idea. With affordable options from stores like Trader Joe’s and warehouse clubs, a seasonal bunch will keep our home bright without costing much.
While Sherry added a white capiz frame to our collection, I found a small ceramic squirrel for her growing all-white menagerie. She already has a ceramic dog, a porcelain pony and a metal bull, so this little squirrel fit right in. The figurine was an inexpensive find at West Elm, but adding another charming accent to her collection made her very happy. Between the vase, the monthly flowers and the squirrel, she was all smiles.
We also received some lighthearted kitchen-themed gifts from a cousin who embraced the “Hey Good Lookin’” theme. There were novelty party cups with animal snouts and beaks and a “Frozen Smiles” ice tray that makes ice cube teeth—perfect for cold drinks with a sense of humor.
Another quirky item we loved was a glass measuring cup that not only shows cups and ounces but also lists amusing trivia—like the volume of body cells that die on a typical day or how much honey a bee produces. It’s a practical tool with a fun twist, and it’s already the source of a few new conversation pieces in the kitchen.
From my brother-in-law we received some items celebrating our dog Burger: a customized mug, a deck of playing cards and a white snowflake ornament. He’s a cat person who appreciates animal obsessions, and these gifts were funny and thoughtful.
My godmother sent a festive lime-green reindeer pillow and matching throw from Coldwater Creek, which fit nicely with the lime-green headboard in our guest bedroom. They added a cheerful seasonal accent to the room.
Overall, Santa treated us well this year. How about you—did you receive any favorites or memorable gifts? We’d love to hear about them.
Pssst—The top link to the skillet we own and love was an affiliate link.