Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Oprah's List of Favorite Things 2008

By Tasha Miller

Oprah's Favorite Things 2008 show which was aired on November 26th was very different from past year's shows where Oprah gave the audience thousands of dollars in gifts. This year was very well done on how to enjoy your holidays and give gifts that won't put you into debt.

Oprah being the person she is understands the financial stress not only the country is under, but the people themselves. So her main focus was to show you how to have a great holiday season without spending a lot of money. Things that would make a difference in someone's life and touch their hearts, without breaking the bank.

Oprah's Favorite Things 2008 was a combination of things such as Gratitude boxes, which Oprah says is one of her all time favorite things and she still, does it to this day. You can make or buy a Gratitude box for as little as $2 and place heartfelt notes inside to the person. These notes can be from just one person, friends or family. Words from the heart mean much more to people than something you buy them.

Oprah made a list of her favorite holiday music hits and in the spirit of the season she made both the music and the CD cover art available for download at her site including artist Faith Hill singing "Joy to the World", Aretha Franklin singing "Silent Night", Josh Groban, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", Tony Bennett, "I'll be Home for Christmas" and many, many more of this season's hits sung by today's hottest artists.

A thrifty holiday gift is a Treasure Box as was shown on Oprah's Favorite Things 2008 show. You can find a Treasure box for around $12 and some are finished wood and others are bare wood you can stain. Then get yourself some folders and plastic sheet protectors and put them in there and start a collection of mementos that the receiver will hold dear to their heart. These can be made for anyone from a child to adult. Put special photos, cards, awards, letters etc anything you want. If it is for your child then you and your child can add things to the Treasure box together and if you give it to someone special then they can add things and when a special occasion comes up you can give them something to add to it also.

Hot Chocolate becomes more popular as the temperature goes down. For just a little bit of cash you can make people a gift they will truly enjoy...Hot Chocolate Cones. Simply take a few moments to find a recipe online to make your own hot chocolate, add marshmallows and chocolate chips and place it all into decorative candy bags or piping bags found locally at a craft store. Then just decorate simply with a bow or some added ribbon for an added extra touch.

Other ideas can be to have a Swap party which can be themed, such as for children's gifts, cookie swaps etc. Anything you can think of. Everyone brings a gift and leaves with a gift. Also if you are a person that loves to make homemade goodies you can make up Gift Baskets with things from your garden such as homemade tomato sauce, applesauce, or fill your Gift basket with a bunch of homemade goodies like cookies, peanut brittle and add in some of the Holiday Chocolate cones anything thing you want and this makes such a great gift. Just another great idea from Oprah's Favorite Things 2008 that won't cost you a lot of money.

This year's Oprah's Favorite Things 2008 includes a book that she has fallen in love with. It is written by David Wroblewski, "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". A wonderful novel about a boy who was born mute, speaking only in sign. This is a recommended read with Oprah's book club.

There are also several other items on Oprah's Favorite Things 2008 that are broken down by price range starting at under $25 up to $100 and then there is Oprah's All Time Favorites list. So you can have a great holiday season and not empty your bank account. - 16039

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