I don't usually watch the Oprah Winfrey Show, I like her but my roommate hates her guts. Not sure why... she just drives him crazy. He's weird like that. Same thing with Hilary Clinton... he can't put his finger on why he doesn't like her, but he knows he wouldn't care to invite her over to dinner. Personally I believe she does a lot of good things with her money and her fame, and you can't say that about a lot of celebrities.
Oprah's Favorite Things aired yesterday and I love the stuff she picks out. In case you missed it, here are some of the hottest gifts for the holiday season!
SAMSUNG PROGRESSIVE HD CAMCORDER SC-HMX10C"My first favorite thing is state of the art and I carried it around with me all through Macon," Oprah says. The Samsung SC-HMX10C is so small it literally fits in the palm of your hand. This high definition digital camcorder records everything on a chip so you can download your video directly to your computer. With the flip of a switch, the camcorder becomes a camera that snaps picture-perfect digital photos. "It's fantastic," Oprah says. "It's so easy, even I can do it!"
- Approximate value: $799.99
- 800-SAMSUNG; www.samsung.com
- Available at major retailers including Amazon.com, Circuit City, Sears, CompUSA
UGG® AUSTRALIA CLASSIC CROCHET TALL BOOT- Approximate value: $120
- 888-432-8530; www.uggaustralia.com
- Also available at Nordstrom stores www.nordstrom.com
TOYWATCH WATCHES- Approximate value: $150–$1500
- 877-998-8600; www.toywatchusa.com
- Also available at Bloomingdales stores nationwide www.bloomingdales.com
PERFECT ENDINGS CUPCAKES FROM WILLIAMS-SONOMASam Godfrey, the cake genius behind Oprah's 400-pound 50th birthday cake, is bringing his sweet treats to the masses for the first time. Perfect Endings Cupcakes can be shipped anywhere in the United States and come in three fabulous flavors: red velvet with white icing, chocolate with chocolate sprinkles and coconut.
- Approximate value: $59 (set of 9)
- 800-541-2233; www.williams-sonoma.com
MELAMINE BOWLS, MEASURING CUPS AND SPOONS FROM WILLIAMS-SONOMA
The Melamine Bowls, Measuring Cups and Spoons come in a rainbow of colors to brighten up your kitchen. They feature built-in, no-spill spouts for easy pouring and can be stacked to save space. Plus, no-slip rubber rings at the base keep your bowls in place.
- Approximate value: Bowls $32 (set of 3); Measuring Cups and Spoons Set $18 (cups $14, spoons $8)
- 800-541-2233; www.williams-sonoma.com
THE ARTISAN® STAND MIXER FROM KITCHENAID HOME APPLIANCES
The Artisan Stand Mixer is a favorite appliance of cooking superstars like Paula Dean, Emeril Lagasse and Oprah's own Art Smith. The mixer comes in a variety of fun colors to match your kitchen.
- Approximate value: $349.99
- 800-541-6390; www.kitchenaid.com
THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S PLANET EARTH DVD SET
The Discovery Channel's 11-part series Planet Earth is an awe-inspiring view of the spectacular world we live in. More than five years in the making, filmmakers shot footage in 200 locations in 60 countries around the globe. "I'm telling you, it is the most magnificent series you will ever lay your eyes on," Oprah says.
- Approximate value: $59.95
- 800-725-4586; www.discoverystore.com
KAI BODY BUTTER and BODY BUFFER
"Bathing is an art form and nobody enjoys it more than I do," Oprah says. Kai customized their signature scent into a moisturizing body butter in a tub just for Oprah. "It's clean and fresh," she says. She also loves the Body Buffer by Kai, which combines an exfoliating loofah and cleansing soap all in one. Just wet and squeeze to release foaming bubbles that smell like an exotic garden.
- Approximate value: Body Buffer $28; Body Butter $55
- www.kaifragrance.com
- Also available at Embrace in Hinsdale, IL: 877-361-7223, www.embraceyourstyle.com; www.eluxury.com, 877-890-7171
CLARISONIC SKIN CARE SYSTEM
Developed by the people who created the Sonicare Toothbrush, the Clarisonic Skin Care System helps remove six times more makeup than soap and water alone. The bristles vibrate 300 times per second and massage your face to squeaky clean perfection. "It's a miracle massage for your face," Oprah says.
- Approximate value: $195/system
- 888-5-CLARISonic (888-525-2747); www.clarisonic.com
CLAUS PORTO SOAPS FROM LAFCO NEW YORK
These all-natural, bath-sized shea butter bars distributed by Lafco New York are a labor of love. They have been created by the Claus Porto's family-run factory in Portugal for the past 117 years. The jumbo-sized soaps appeal to the senses with beautiful wrappers and 17 magnificent scents, from honeysuckle to grapefruit fig. "They make great hostess gifts," Oprah says.
- Approximate value: $42 (set of 3)
- 800-362-3677; www.lafcony.com
THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH BY KEN FOLLETT
Oprah says her 60th Book Club selection, The Pillars of the Earth, is the book to give this holiday season.
Author Ken Follett's epic tale, which is set in 12th century England, is about the quest to build the world's greatest Gothic cathedral, and the struggle between good and evil. "You will not be able to put it down," she says. "It's the perfect gift for under $25."
To make these books extra special for the Macon audience, Oprah's team tracked down the author in Australia so he could autograph every copy!
- Approximate value: $24.95
- Available wherever books are sold or online at www.penguin.com
BREVILLE IKON PANINI PRESS FROM WILLIAMS-SONOMA
Every weekend for years, Oprah says she's made Stedman a special snack on the stovetop, which she calls "the love sandwich." She used to melt hot pepper cheese over smoked turkey and fresh basil in a skillet…but not anymore!
Now she uses the Breville Ikon Panini Press—a kitchen gadget that turns ordinary sandwiches into yummy paninis. "It takes the 'love sandwich' to a whole new level," she says. This panini press doesn't just make a great sandwich—it also grills meats, fish and veggies.
- Approximate value: $99.95
- 800-541-2233; www.williams-sonoma.com
HDTV REFRIGERATOR WITH WEATHER AND INFO CENTER FROM LG ELECTRONICS
Oprah's giving the most expensive gift in Oprah's Favorite Things history to her loyal viewers in Macon—LG HDTV Refrigerator LSC27991. It's a top-of-the-line, high-tech entertainment center with a LCD TV, DVD hookup, radio and slideshow option to display your favorite digital photos.
With the press of a button, you can also access your five-day weather forecast and view more than 100 built-in recipes. LG has even volunteered to remove our lucky audience members' old fridges and either recycle them or give them to families in need. "LG has literally thought of everything!" Oprah says.
- Approximate value: $3,799
- www.LGUSA.com
CIAO BELLA BLOOD ORANGE SORBETTO
Ciao Bella's Blood Orange Sorbetto is made from all natural ingredients including blood orange juice shipped straight from Sicily. "I love it because the flavor is just so refreshing," Oprah says.
- Approximate value: $4.99/pint at select grocery stores
- 800-3-GELATO (800-343-5286); www.ciaobellagelato.com
RACHEL PALLY SWING TURTLENECK AND SAILOR PANTS
After a long day of taping The Oprah Show, the first thing Oprah says she does backstage is change into something comfortable. Now, she's sharing her new favorite thing to lounge around in!
This outfit by L.A. designer Rachel Pally is made from stretchy fabric that's both lightweight and super soft. "It barely feels like you're wearing anything!" Oprah says. The turtleneck and pants are available in sizes 2 to 24 and come in four colors—purple, navy, teal and brown.
- Approximate value: Swing Turtleneck $141; Sailor Pants $194
- www.rachelpally.com
- Also available at Nordstrom stores www.nordstrom.com and www.shopbop.com
SCRABBLE PREMIER EDITION FROM HASBRO
When Stedman gave Oprah this gift one Valentine's Day, she says she loved it so much, she just had to share. This premier edition Scrabble board has a beautiful mahogany finish and conveniently spins on a lazy Susan. A golden raised grid keeps your tiles in place and a built-in drawer keeps everything organized. "Get ready for game night!" she says.
- Approximate value: $70
- 888-836-7025; www.scrabble.com
UNITED ARTISTS 90TH ANNIVERSARY PRESTIGE COLLECTION
In honor of the studio's 90th birthday, United Artist has created a gift for the ultimate movie buff. A whopping 90 DVDs of their best and most popular films have been compiled into one book. The set includes 8 Academy Award® winners like In the Heat of the Night, Annie Hall, Some Like It Hot, Rocky, West Side Story and Midnight Cowboy. Each DVD is packaged with liner notes about the movie and never-before-seen photos and original movie posters.
- Approximate value: $869.98
- www.unitedartists90.com
- Available in stores December 11. Pre-order at www.Amazon.com, www.BestBuy.com and www.Borders.com
SHAKLEE GET CLEAN™ STARTER KIT
Regular viewers, like those in Macon, may remember how much Oprah loves cleaning and spot removal—this gift gets things clean and helps the environment. The Get Clean™ Starter Kit by Shaklee is filled with eco-friendly, high performance concentrated cleaners, stain removers and cleaning supplies. "Get ready to go green!" Oprah says.
- Approximate value: $89.60
- 800-670-6251; www.shaklee.com
O'S GUIDE TO LIFE
Each month, Oprah says she's just like a proud mama when the new issue of O, The Oprah Magazine hits the stands. O's Guide to Life is a compilation of more than 100 of her favorite O, The Oprah Magazine articles that help you live your best life. Topics include health, beauty, sex, love, money, family and making a difference in the world.
Every audience member is going home with a copy that's been autographed by Oprah herself!
- Approximate value: $29.95
- Available wherever books are sold or online at www.oxmoorhouse.com
JOSH GROBAN'S NOEL CD
If you love classic Christmas carols like Oprah, this is the album for you! Josh Groban's Christmas CD Noel includes "The Christmas Song," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Ave Maria" and other all-time favorites. "It's the one Christmas CD every family should have," Oprah says.
- Available wherever music is sold and online at www.joshgroban.com