Blogs

Happy Holidays!

Can you believe that they’re already here...Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year? Time has flown by exceptionally fast this year, especially for me because I spent five weeks in California for QVC @ L.A. Live. But that doesn’t mean I’ve been putting off the gift buying...oh no. Quite the opposite, in fact. Working at QVC gives me the distinct advantage of seeing great items all year round, so when I find something that I know someone in my life would like, I snatch it up right away!

Tracey and I will be spending time with both our families this holiday season! We’re hoping to spend some years on the East Coast and others on the West Coast. Since the families will be together this year, there are a lot of different people to think about for gifts. I’ll try to share some of the things that I love to give and/or would love to receive (without giving anything away to my loved ones!).

“Food...glorious food!”

—Oliver!

Now there is one thing that everyone does, no matter the age or stage…eat! So giving the gift of food is never a bad idea.

Sweets are one of the easiest things to gift, and fresh-baked cookies are at the top of my list. My family has enjoyed Cheryl’s cookies for years together, long before I worked at QVC, so that brand has a special place in my heart. I also love the Harry London offerings because they allow you to package smaller bags of candy and give them out as individual gifts (while still saving a few bites for yourself!). When it comes to dessert for the big meals, you can’t go wrong with Junior’s or Balboa Desserts. I especially love the cheesecake sampler and the Celebration Cake.

Thinking about the center of the plate brings me to some of our biggest brands at QVC. Sending a gift like Kansas City Steak Co. filet mignon or Lobster Gram lobster is sure to impress. Now, I love a big beautiful turkey for the main dish on Thanksgiving and Christmas and we don’t offer anything like that for now on QVC. But I’ll tell you, the more I cook and enjoy our Kansas City Steak Co. prime rib and spiral-cut ham, the more I realize how nice it is to save the stress for everyone on the big day. I know many of you will cook that traditional family meal around the holidays, but don’t you also want great food for all of the other nights that you are either entertaining or recovering? That’s where Corky’s and Stuffin Gourmet come in, for example. If you get one of my favorite big offerings from Corky’s, like their 6 lbs. of ribs and 2 lbs. pulled chicken, you can serve a gourmet meal for at least 12 people for around $70…that’s only about $6 a person! Add in some veggies and sides and you're spending way less than you would by going out to eat…and saving the stress of having to prepare another big meal from scratch. That is exactly why I love our food offerings on QVC!

“Beauty…is the gift from God."

—Aristotle

True…but that doesn’t mean that you can’t gift it as well! I’ve heard that some people think that gifting beauty products is rude because it connotes that the receiver is in need of such items. Well guess what...we are all in need of a little help! Young and old alike can benefit from taking better care of themselves, and that starts with a great skin care routine.

I am a huge fan of the Clarisonic. I use both the Mia and the Plus and cannot say enough good things about them. When I was younger, I struggled with oily skin, large pores, and constant breakouts. I tried many different acne-fighting solutions, but I'm starting to realize that the biggest deficiency in my routine was cleansing. It all starts there! Begin and end your day with a fresh, clean face and I’m sure you'll see and feel the Clarisonic difference…I know I have!

There are also a handful of skin care brands that I can only imagine what I ever did without. Here are a few of the items that I love: Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate, Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum, philosophy’s purity and microdelivery wash, and for men especially, the entire Jack Blackline. If you've never seen or tried this brand, please check it out. I think the men in your life would really love it!

Finally, when it comes to hair care, I am a WEN user through and through. I have fully committed to the product line and have seen really amazing results in my hair. I have always had fine and flat hair that never held shape well. Now, my hair is healthier, softer, and will stay styled with much less product. I use many different scents of the Cleansing Conditioner, along with the Styling Creme and Volumizing Spray. Mix in a Re-Moist, Replenishing Mist, and Oils here and there and you will probably fall as hard as I have for the entire line.

Any and all of the items I've mentioned would make fantastic gifts this season. I think sharing the beauty secrets I find on QVC is one of the best perks of my job!

“Men have become the tools of their tools.”

—Henry David Thoreau

And women! For good reason, we're all caught up in the gadgets of today; they're phenomenal tools with which we navigate this world. While I am connected to my computers, phones, and MP3 players as much as the next guy, I always stress the importance of putting them down and investing time in people.

That being said, I'm confident that gadget gifts will be well received. If you can afford a new TV, computer, or gaming system, then by all means, gift away! I like our HP computers, LG TVs, Canon cameras, and I have the Wii at home. QVC has become very competitive in the electronics category, so it’s worth taking a long look at getting your big-ticket items through us. Of course, I'm also a Mac guy, so any of our Apple products are home runs in my opinion.

Other tools that I think make great gifts are kitchen electrics and gadgets, home improvement items, and home décor. For example, I think Temp-tations items make great, affordable gifts for the cook. Prepology has some fantastic gadgets, too. I do finish carpentry in my spare time, so I think any cool new hand tool or handy household gadget is an easy gift. The Skil flashlight sets are awesome. I love the Candle Impressions line at QVC…these look beautiful in my home and are a really nice gift for just about everyone! When it comes to holiday decorating, I look first and foremost to Bethlehem Lights. The quality is second to none, and the convenient decorating they help facilitate would be appreciated by all.

If you know a fitness fanatic, we have a number of great items to give as gifts. Programs like P90X are popular, along with machines like the Total Gym and AeroPilates.

Other items that make great gifts come from trusted brands like Keurig, Bose, and Vitamix. What kind of items do you like to gift and to whom?

Do you shop early or late? Do you give yourself one special gift? Join the conversation below…

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! And happy New Year!

 —Jonathan

 PS Join me on my Facebook page for even more tips, tricks and info!