Hm.
Well, today's episode wasn't a bad show - it just wasn't quite how I felt it was being promoted this week. I thought it was going to be filled to the brim with thrifty holiday gift ideas. Creative ways to make the holidays amazing for every member of the family, even though we might not have the money we would normally spend on gifts.
When the show began, there were hints that it might go in this direction (although, how on earth would one implement the usage of a 'hot chocolate cone?'). I thought maybe Oprah's staff would gather Favorite Things under 10 or 20 bucks to inspire our own gift giving. Instead, it was mainly a cooking show sandwiched between how to create special gift boxes & then a reminder of Oprah's Book Club pick.
I do agree with what Oprah said: "The words from your heart mean more to people than anything you can buy." I have a box filled with special notes that I adore reading. It's a pretty box that I keep in a prominent place in my home, so I always know it's there when I need a little pick-me-up or a reminder that I am loved and supported.
Oprah read us a personal letter that Debbie Allen wrote her (at her Legends Ball) about how amazing Oprah is and how she'll never know how loved she is. I wonder if Oprah could possibly underestimate how loved she is, though. From what I can see, she is showered with heart-felt feelings more than any other person. Still, a lovely sentiment by Allen.
There was an assignment I'm not going to write about here tonight because I'm going to implement it tomorrow and I don't want my mother to know the details. Sorry mom, you'll find out tomorrow! And for those of you who didn't see the show and don't know to what I'm referring, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Oh - Oprah's allowing us, for 48 hours, to download some Christmas songs. We can even grab a CD label and cover from her website, if we're so inclined. I've already downloaded the songs and think my inlaws will enjoy them when we see them in December.
There was some instruction from Oprah (repeating a Cristina Ferrare recipe) about how to prepare our holiday bird. We'll be putting this into action tomorrow! My lucky dad is getting up at 5am to start our turkey fun. We'll start by following Oprah's words, "...you must rinse well, inside and out...and then pat it dry and place the turkey in a large roasting pan." There are more turkey instructions a la Oprah and my family is committed to them!
For Christmas this year, it looks as if I'll be making a pumpkin chiffon pie. Oprah quickly rattled off some instructions that I'll have to review on her website. It's different than the usual desserts my inlaws serve - I hope they like it!
I've also been told to "...go to Oprah.com, and click on Cristina's cooking class, print out the recipes, and have fun following along." and "Take Christina Ferrare's step by step cooking class online on Oprah.com." I'll admit it, guys, I don't want to do this. I can follow a recipe without a visual aid. But, I think I just had a little knee jerk reaction to the amount of time the video-watching will take. I'm sure I'll get over it fast.
Oprah told us because there are so many people out of work, it wouldn't have been right to wave expensive gifts under our noses. Still, I would have liked a little more creativity in the inexpensive gift territory. It felt as if the show threw in the towel - like if they can't display really expensive gifts, then what can they possibly offer? I think they could have done a lot more, but again, perhaps that's because I was expecting something entirely different. Luckily, there was a reminder from Oprah that we could find gifts for under 100 in this month's O magazine.
And finally, the last assignment which focused on The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: "If you have a friend who has a dog, you must give them this book. And you write the inscription to the person and their dog. And they will love it." I think I know who I'll give this to. I never like to write in peoples' books because I want them to feel as if they can return it or pass it onto another reader after they've finished it. But, I'll happily do it this time as Oprah has advised.
I don't know. Overall, I'm feeling underwhelmed. Even if the entire show had been filled with viewers' ideas about cheap or free thoughtful gifts to exchange over the holidays, I might have enjoyed it more.
BUT...
Returning to Oprah's sentiment that words speak louder than gifts...I wanted to say, in the spirit of the season, that I am so grateful for all of you who have taken time to write comments or emails to me over the course of this year. Whether your notes have been supportive, challenging, funny, angry, or heartfelt...you have made every day exciting for me. You know that exhilaration you feel when you get home from work to find an actual letter in your mailbox? You have given me that feeling every single day this year. You've made me laugh (and cry sometimes!) and question myself and I feel like my personal understanding has deepened with your help. It might sound really corny, but I love our little community. I really do. So tomorrow, during Thanksgiving, I'll be thinking about how grateful I am for all of you. Ok, ok, this post is getting dangerously close to sounding like a failed script for a Lifetime movie...I'll stop pouring the syrup!
I hope everyone has a GREAT holiday tomorrow! Gobble gobble! (Unless you're on the Best Life Challenge...in which case, DO NOT GOBBLE).
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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27 comments:
I think Oprah should have mentioned something about being careful with the Chiffon Pie as it has raw egg in it and a lot of people should not eat raw egg.
Props to Oprah for not doing the big expensive freebie show. The audience really does look ridiculous going nuts over all that stuff....
I liked the ideas, but I wasn't really inspired to try them... except for that turkey and stuffing. I'm absolutely going to try those. It seemed like Christina Ferrari was making a Thanksgiving meal and not a "holiday" meal.. so the recipe and tips are kinda late for someone who will be cooking tomorrow. Regular pumpkin pie is so incredibly easy and delicious, I really wouldn't want to mess with a good thing by fiddling with a raw eggs chiffon pie recipe.
I have to say that I hate being ambushed at a party to write heartfelt notes and charming advice to people. At a party, I've put on my extroverted chatty engaging self, and I can't easily shift to quiet, contemplative, heartfelt verbal musings. I'd rather write those sorts of things to people in the quiet of my own home. However, I do agree that kind thoughtful words and time with people are the best gifts of all.
I noticed that there was a new emphasis on doing "the perfect meal" or having "the perfect gift". Part of the fun of the holidays for me is not worrying about being perfect, but trying to be calm and have fun and let everyone in my family feel like they are a part of the planning and celebration. Emphasizing perfection is a recipe for disappointment in my mind.
They could have thought of something to give the whole audience. Did they even get to taste the turkey and stuffing? I can't remember.... The audience might have loved at least getting hot chocolate mix cones or a pretty box with blank notecards to do the writing gift thing...
Um.. I didn't mean to write a whole essay in your comments.. sorry about that... I've been thinking about this silly Oprah show all day long!
I was really looking forward to this episode; I was ready for some really great ideas. Boy was I disappointed! Don't get me wrong, I agree that expressing your feelings towards a loved one is a wonderful thing. Everyone can use the affirmation that they are loved and appreciated. However, where were other ideas? While I'll certainly be scaling back this season, I will be doing some shopping, and I don't think I should have to pick up her magazine to get some ideas. Then there's the whole cooking thing. I do not tune in to a Favorite Things episode to see such a huge portion of the show devoted to cooking a meal. The segment just went on and on and on... Then to try to tie it in to the theme by saying that Christina Ferrare is her "favorite" cook just seemed lame to me. I agree with you, LO, that Ms. O appeared to throw in the towel on this one.
I also had to feel a bit bad for the audience members. Did they at least get a copy of the book she pushed at the end, or just a piece of pie? It then crossed my mind that there had to be a lot of merchants out there bummed out not to get a shout out from Oprah as that could make a huge difference for them this holiday season. I know we shouldn't be spending more than we have, but if we don't spend anything more and more businesses will go up in smoke. While I think it would indeed have been inappropriate to highlight expensive and over the top items, I sure wish she would have found some middle ground and given us a variety of useful ideas.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks, LO, for the tip about the music from O. I went to her site and burned my very first CD--yes, I'm rather a Luddite. The music is beautiful and just the thing to start the Christmas season with and something else to be thankful for tomorrow. Yay! I didn't even have to be on O's show to get a free goodie. :>) It's nice that O had it available, but I wonder, is she paying the royalties on these songs or are the artists donating these downloads for the advertising? Not that it really makes any difference, just curious.
LO wrote:
"I've also been told to '...go to Oprah.com, and click on Cristina's cooking class, print out the recipes, and have fun following along.'"
I notice you use a lot of elipses when quoting Oprah, almost as if had you quoted the sentence in full, it would no longer be a commandment. I find myself wondering what the rest of the sentence was everytime you do that; for example if the words the elipsis replaced was "you should" then it's clearly a commandment, but if the words were "you can" then it's more of an option.
I found the cook on the show today very rude. Here Oprah was kind enough to let this woman come on her show and she made critical comments like "Oprah you can stop beating the marinade now" and when the foil came off the wing she says "Oprah you didn't do a very good job"
But Oprah took her revenge when the cook poured whine into the dish when she meant to pour in olive oil and Oprah quickly noted "that's not olive oil". I also liked it when Oprah corrected her on what was the thickest part of the meat to stick the thermometer in.
And then the cook praises Oprah for putting something in the oven by saying "you're getting good at this!" I'm not sure why the cook was so rude; perhaps a Sarah Palin fan who's still bitter about the election.
I'm going to skip over the whole show thing and move right to the heartfelt bit at the bottom. Right back at ya, LO. I have to say that I love coming here at the end of the day and reading your insightful posts, and then reading everyone's insightful comments. I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- I know you'll be glad when the year is over, but I'm going to miss ya!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
I too was surprised Oprah didn’t spend the show giving out a bunch of inexpensive favourite things but in retrospect it makes perfect sense. Oprah’s a billionaire so there are probably very few inexpensive items she can honestly say are her favourite thing. I remember Dr. Phil once saying to Oprah “people don’t realize just how seriously you take what you do”. The obvious thing for Oprah to have done today would be to display a bunch of cheap items that her audience might like, but that would go against the authenticity Oprah built her career on. If Oprah says it’s her “favourite thing” she actually means it, and if she can’t get excited about some $10 merchandise, she’s simply not willing to fake it just for the sake of a better show.
Speaking of turkey, what happened to vegan Oprah? :(
I'm glad Oprah didn't focus on expensive items either. Some of past gifts were too extravagant.
Those note-writing exercises are nice, however there are always people who don't take it seriously. It's good to do with people that want to do that, not necessarily force everyone at a party, unless you know all of them will appreciate it. At least that's my experience with note writing.
It would be nice to see SNL cover this year's gifts LOL. I've got an entirely opposite feeling this year than in previous years. I usually watch and think "Oh, I wish I could afford some of those things" Even though this year's ideas had more substance, I felt some emptiness, some unsatisfied curiosity.
To echo what others have said. We still have to buy some things. Not necessarily want, but have to. Kids need new shoes, hats, scarfs and gloves, color pencils, drawing pads, and books to read. When you work you need things like scarfs, sweaters, blouses, ties, perfume/cologne, creams/makeup. People can't necessarily afford these to buy every day, so they wait until holidays to purchase as gifts. It doesn't mean people will go and buy everything she shows. But people who need to buy some of these things may like her picks, especially if those picks are not popular or not very easy to find.
I agree that this show was a let down. Were they not able to find any gifts that were affordable?
I thought the show was pretty flimsy. The boxes were pretty, but I found myself thinking if I got one of those pine cone boxes I'd be instantly calculating how soon it would be socially acceptable to throw it away. I know that's callous but I have limited space for hot-glued cranberries.
I think it's great to share low-cost gift hints & I was expecting a boatload of ideas.
Incidentally, I plan on giving everyone used books.
It was also charming to hear O read a letter about how awesome she is. Never one to pass up an opportunity, is she? Well, I guess that's how she got where she is today.
Previous "Favorite Things" shows are the chief reason I stopped watching Oprah, although I did watch the year my friend's product was featured. I also stopped watching home improvement porn on HGTV because I couldn't stand the jealousy I was feeling at looking at lives so different from mine and feeling bad about it. I know that's me and not Oprah, but when you're a single mother you never feel like you are providing the kind of life you envisioned for your family, so why rub it in?
I am the queen of thrift, however, so I do have a lingering curiosity about what Oprah would have chosen in the affordable category. I do give her props for being so sensitive about people's economic condition this year, because we know it is no joke. Maybe she's not as removed from her poor upbringing as we thought?
I didn't watch the show this year, either so I can't directly voice an opinion, but I can say I do like cooking shows and I do like Christina Ferrare. And I've made a pumpkin chiffon pie before, and it's my favorite kind of pumpkin pie. It does not transport well, so don't try to make it and then take it on a four hour journey to your sister's house.
Making your guests write heartfelt notes sounds too much like group therapy to me, and I don't imagine I would like to be in a situation where that is the party theme. My family are doers rather than talkers. We're more likely to come unannounced to rake your leaves or do your laundry when you're in need than to write a heartfelt note about how we feel about you. You never know how such a note will be received, but you always know how some accomplished task will feel. Heartfelt notes are more properly written privately to people who would appreciate those. And what if you're at a gathering with people you don't necessarily like? The strain would show as you struggle to find something nice to say on paper. I'm picturing the scene as a contentious family gathers together, and instead of turning on the football game after dinner, sits laboring over pieces of paper, getting angrier by the minute.
But I think the spirit of the suggestion is more about finding something that doesn't cost money but will be valuable to the recipient, whether it's a note or a pretty box or something else. I have a friend who has really good taste in fine quality items who covets a wooden box I have that contained cookies from Trader Joe's. Of course, TJ didn't have that brand of cookies ever again, otherwise I would have given her those for Christmas, but I think that's the spirit that Oprah was trying to convey this year, no?
I know you have to do what Oprah says, but for the love of God, please be careful washing the turkey. When you rinse raw poultry you can very easily spread bacteria everywhere.
I think O looked like a deer in headlights during the cooking. She wasn't always a bajillionaire, but she looked to me like she had no clue at all in the kitchen.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Do you feel like Oprah is dying to have a tag line? She said "voila" so many times.
Clearly, I'm out of the mainstream, but here goes:
Jackie, I'm totally with you--the pie looks awesome but raw eggs creep me out in this day and age. We even get eggs from a friend who keeps chickens in their back yard but ugh--we've gotten the eggs from the coops ourselves and yuk. I am uber-careful about how we use them and how we disinfect our hands after.
IamSusie: I love your essays.
morepower: interesting, I thought they had some actual rapport there, but I was busy with my own Thanksgiving prep so I may have been too distracted to notice nuance. And I thought it was nice to see someone bag on Oprah a little bit.
anonymous: I'm with you and LO. I thought it was a fine show as a pre-Thanksgiving/other holiday ideas show, but wow, she had some nerve calling that a "favorite things" show. Other places (Domino magazine, etc.) have "Great Ideas Under $100" and I've seen O do this (Great Ideas Under $10, Under $50, etc.)...Things are tight but who isn't looking for something fun or luxe for cheap-ish? And most of us are doing *some* shopping.
And maybe it's me, but I love the over-the-top stuff and thought it was fun to think about people who couldn't afford to buy themselves HDTV refrigerators having one appear in their lives. I've read the arguments about the people whose houses have been "extreme-ly made over" and have had to leave them but most have been due to boneheaded decisions on their parts, not utility bills. (Like taking out a home equity loan on a home the builders gave to them. I get why they would have thought it was a good idea, but from other angles, the misguidedness is clear.)
Anyway. Fun show, but no way, no how, a Favorite Things.
LO & readers, I'm thankful for you. Happy Turkey Day!
Hi LO! I am not an O-watcher, but I watched today (wed) to see what would happen. Yeah, some nice ideas. I'm going to be cynical + then make a suggestion:
1) I loathe cocoa cones. To me, they're right up there with "cookie mix in a jar." They're messy, too much work to take out + make, and, you have to specially buy those cone-shaped bags. Instead...
2) try "cakes in a jar" for an inexpensive gift to hand out to multiple people. one of my students introduced these to me. recipes are all over the internet (google "cakes in a jar"), and they are yummy. essentially, you bake a small cake in a ball jar, and seal it up. it's airtight, stays moist, and is a delicious dessert.
happy thanksgiving everyone! LO, I love your blog. I will be sad when this project is over!
I like the idea of 12 dates.
Hi there LO,
I'm a longtime reader and have almost commented many times before. I felt compelled to comment today because I was disappointed in yesterday's show. While I was glad to hear that O had decided to do a "thrifty" favorite things this year, I was really hoping to see a show full of excellent gifts under $20, $50, and maybe even $100. I did appreciate the first part of the show (although I agree with Etiquette about the cocoa cones-- a pain!), but I found the cooking section somewhat boring and not suited to the show.
While I've never actually purchased anything I've seen on the Favorite Things show in previous years, I always like seeing the audience get gifts (especially the year she filled the audience with teachers). This year, I guess I'll check out the magazine and see what O has to recommend.
LO, thanks for the fab blog. I hope you and your family have a very happy holiday (and I hope the recipes really work)! And a happy Thanksgiving to my fellow readers as well.
EB- I've been reading about cakes in a jar all over the internet too. I hear they are fantastic and it really does seem like a fun idea. I make lots of granola for the family members I have that I know love granola.
At my local Old Navy, the cashier told me that she doesn't see any slowdown in shopping whatsoever, so people still are buying stuff, just at different places.
Hi Robyn - Leslie here, formerly of Temple Sholom! I have been following your blog ever since I saw you on WGN Morning News, and I love your project! Anyway, a comment on Oprah's suggestion of giving a gift of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle to your dog-owner friends .... I am reading the book and loving it, but I have a better one to read and give your dog-lving friends and it is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that book. Please recommend it to Oprah as well! Happy holiday season!
I think you expect too much of the show. You should just live your life the best way you can and forget about "Living Oprah." Only Oprah Winfrey can live Oprah. What I think you're doing is nitpicking everything on the show if it doesn't meet your expectations.
Get a life!
I didn't catch all of the show, but there was one suggestion that I am going to do. A mother was on the show with her memory boxes for each of her children and I thought "Eureka, that's it!!" I, too, have tons of stuff from my son's life (he's now 26) and haven't known just what to do with it. Now I can just take bits and pieces, find a box of the right size and start putting together all those report cards and art projects and fabric swatches. Great idea.
Hi LO,
It sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving! Have you thought about how much your blog influenced Oprah's Favorite Things show this week? I think you were a little harsh in this post about the show. Honestly, I would have much rather watched the extravagant favorite things because it's just plain fun to watch. I'm not going to run out and buy these silly things and I don't get jealous for others getting them. It's just fun entertainment.
Oprah's show gave us a few ideas but even if they had showcased things that were under $20 they wouldn't have had the same audience reactions and really who would want to watch an hour of highlighters, books, and CDs being given away. It would be boring. I think they did the best they could. I also thought the free CD was a nice touch.
I really don't think Oprah can win with you. You would've been unhappy if it was the usual show and you were unhappy with the show of free/inexpensive items.
I'm not trying to be harsh. It just seems in the last few weeks no matter what Oprah says or does, you've found something wrong with it. In the past you seemed less judgmental & more positive.
hi Lo!
I frequently read your blog but have not commented until today -- thank you for your always entertaining posts!
I completely understand Oprah's decision to not hand out "luxurious" gifts for this year's "Favorite Things" - but I too, was expecting lots of "affordable" gift ideas under different price points.
And, to all comment readers, please take this with a dose of humor -- I could not help but think how a few audience members had to be just a little peeved that the year they finally make it to "Oprah's Favorite Things", they were going home with recipes and a box idea instead of the talking refrigerator they had dreamed of!
And one other thing -- I thought the neighbor "swap" of old things your kids that they no longer want as a gift idea was horrible!
While certainly "someone's trash is another's treasure" can be true at times -- I would prefer a family member "gift" me a day together, or a simple framed picture of a favorite memory then some random item their friend no longer wants.
Sometimes I think people just don't get it. Oprah is there to make money,for her,for the TV stations,for the advertisers. What I see in Oprah is someone who has found a way to earn by giving. She gives presents away,she gives education away,and she tries to upgrade everyone with things like her book club.
For this season I have put a large group of presents on my website all under twenty dollars. Most of them came from closeout sections of other websites and therefor are bargains.
Anyone with a referal site makes money from those referals if you purchase. The percentages are low and good sense says to show products that have a larger sale price. In this economy it is all of our duty to help each other. So my present to everyone was to find these Cheap, as in price, Gifts and also warn about giving gift cards this year.
Charlie fromGift Ideas Creative
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