![The rest of Michael's shoes cannot compare to these ones.](https://RoyalReporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/m-shoes-e1705008120399.jpg)
The first week of January is filled with Christmas gift hauls, packed gyms, and complaints from students having to go back to school. As we settle back into normal life, questions like “How was your break?” or “What did you get for Christmas?” are expected conversation starters.
Settling back into school myself, I thought it would be fitting to check back in with a few Royals and Friars (the ones featured in my previous article: Rosary vs Servite Christmas wish list) to see if they got what was on their Christmas lists.
Starting off strong, Servite sophomore Michael Ghebrial got the most intriguing gift of them all: In-N-Out shoes. Here is what he had to say: “I was really excited to see that I got the shoes that I asked for. To be completely honest, I didn’t think someone would actually get me them. I also got a Polaroid Lego set.”
Sydney O’Blenes ’24 said, “I didn’t end up getting the book nook, but I did get surprised with a new phone and ballet lessons! I’ve been wanting lessons since I was little, so it was a pleasant surprise. I will admit I cried tears of joy.”
![](https://RoyalReporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gutair-450x600.png)
Servite senior Diego Hood-Sanchez shared, “I got a Guitar Center gift card, so I’m going to use it to buy new music equipment I need. I also got a cool guitar Lego set.”
![](https://RoyalReporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/vanity-450x600.png)
Julissa Gallegos ’27 explained, “Since I didn’t spend Christmas in California, I got my gift a week earlier. There was a big box outside our house, which I thought was for my dad’s work, so I didn’t think anything of it. But when my mom told me to open it, I was so happy and excited to see that it was the vanity that I asked for.”
Luke Sorensen ’26 said, “I didn’t get new fishing gear because my parents said I already have too much. But I did get a keyboard, which was nice.”
Like Diego’s gift, senior Zoe Borowski shared, “For Christmas, one of my gifts was a Sephora gift card so I could buy all the skin products on my list. I also got some cute New Balance shoes.”
![](https://RoyalReporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/zoe-455x600.png)
Moises Ibarra ’24 said, “I didn’t end up getting the Timberland boots, but I did get some really cool Adidas superstars I’ve wanted for a long time.”
Ashley Hawley ’25 remarked, “I was so excited when I opened my shark air wrap on Christmas. I immediately tried it out and loved it. This was the perfect gift, and I’m so excited to use it every day.”
It seems like gift cards, Lego sets, and shoes were popular gifts this past holiday. All in all, it brought me so much joy to hear such happy responses from everyone, whether they received specific items on their lists or not.
Cheers to 2024, let’s make it a good one!