Paper Delights has announced Skylar Emtage is the second place winner in its “What’s Bringing You Joy This Season?” Photo Essay contest, presented in partnership with The B Town Blog.
Emtage earned the honor for a photograph of Belgian Draft Horses and a sleigh, titled “A little winter joy in the most magical time of year!“
That entry was selected from around 20 submissions that invited community members to share a single image and short caption highlighting moments of joy during the holiday season.
As the second place winner, Emtage will receive a $100 gift card to Paper Delights, according to shop owner Alicia Olsen.
The Photo Essay contest invited participants to submit one photo showing what brings them joy, along with a brief description, as a way to encourage gratitude and reflection during a busy and often uncertain time of year.
The contest ran from Dec. 2 through Dec. 14, 2025
Olsen said the idea behind the contest was to inspire people to pause and notice both small and meaningful sources of happiness in their daily lives.
Here’s more info from Olsen:
“Finding joy in times of uncertainty can sometimes be an elusive skill to tap. But, many find that engaging in consistent gratitude practices bring them more satisfaction and happiness. Enter: recognizing small joys (along with BIG ones) in our everyday lives. It’s a gratitude practice that benefits the one pointing it out, and the one who gets to behold the “joyful” discovery.
“It brings to mind a special family anecdote that owner, Alicia Olsen, charmingly shared with us:
“One day when her father had met his limit of reading social media complaints, he declared that he was going to buck the trend and simply post something that was giving him joy. What, you may ask was inspiring his gratitude? “Paper towels!” That’s giving me joy. Now, I know they’re not great for the environment, but doggone it, when you have a difficult mess, a paper towel is the greatest invention!”
The first place winner will be revealed on The B-Town Blog this Friday, Dec. 19, so stay tuned…
Paper Delights is located in Olde Burien and is known for its curated selection of unique gifts and paper goods. The shop frequently partners with local organizations and artists to promote creativity, community and connection.
Find your joy this holiday season at Paper Delights in Olde Burien:
Paper Delights
901 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA 98166
HOURS: Everyday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: (206) 244-0055
Email: info@paperdelights.com
Website: https://www.paperdelights.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paperdelightsburien
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperdelightsburien
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