Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things Revealed!
This year may not bring all the crying, gasping and screaming were used to, but the unveiling of Oprah Winfreys Favorite Things is still a must-see moment, and just in time for the holidays. The media moguls list appears in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine and this year, 12 lucky readers will win every item featured in the jam-packed gift guide as part of the 12-Day Holiday Give-O-Way sweepstakes.
The 2011 O list includes picks from Winfrey, plus items loved by friends and contributors Gayle King, Dr. Oz, Suze Orman and more. Winfreys favorites to comfort mind and body include scented candles ($45), a bottle of Jay-Zs champagne ($300) and Marigot Collections pajamas and cashmere robe ($234 and $412). Kings cheery delicious gifts include seven-layer caramel cake ($46) and a python-print wheeled carry-on bag ($108).
I love to give and get monogrammed gifts, King tells PEOPLE. It instantly makes it personal. Personal means it was bought or made with you and mind. And her advice for holiday shopping? Shop early, she suggests. I so admire the people that are done with all their shopping by mid-December! Thats normally when Im getting started.
Shopping the December issue of O will help: many of the gifts on the list are available with exclusive discounts for the magazines readers, including creative director Adam Glassmans picks of the Felix weekender bag (originally $137, $109 with discount) and a variety of 10 dips and spreads from SpreadtheRestaurant.com (originally $124, $67 with discount).
Additional sugg! estions include contributor Martha Becks gifts with soul like silver- and gold-dipped necklaces ($49); Suze Ormans gifts to share, such as handmade caramels ($12); Cat Coras fun, active gifts of animal-themed helmets ($20) and an at-home sound system ($240); and organizational designer Peter Walshs handy, whimsical gifts, which include assorted Aussie licorice ($27) and a watch that also serves as an iPod Nano holder ($32).
Walshs advice for the holiday season includes going simple and elegant with wrapping paper. Less is more, he tells PEOPLE. Try good-quality brown paper and different wide ribbons (such as black, red and white) to give your gifts that personal touch.
However, the most sage advice comes from Dr. Oz, whose feel-good presents include fuzzy slippers ($45) and lemon- and chili-infused olive oils ($30). The holidays are a stressful time, and if you dont make a consorted effort to manage these stressors, it will undoubtedly overwhelm you, he explains to PEOPLE. I recommend finding ways to preempt this problem. Try incorporating yoga or meditation into your daily routine as early as November. In addition, reflect on the things youre thankful for. Make a daily gratitude list, giving you the perspective to maintain a healthy outlook, he adds.
To enter the 12-Day Holiday Give-O-Way, which runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 9, flip through the pages of Decembers O (on newsstands now) to find 12 holiday icons (including a snowman, reindeer and wreath), each of which activates on a certain day during the contest period and contains a special code to be entered online. Log on to oprah! .com/12d ays to enter that days code; participating every day increases chances of winning. Winners will be notified on or about Dec. 12 and gifts will arrive wrapped via FedEx by Dec. 24, just in time for Christmas.