Oooh La La, C’est Cher!

Right now, “Oooh La La,” is my 5 year old daughter’s favorite expression. It’s quite something coming out of her mouth, with that high pitched sweet little voice. I love the French expression because it’s probably one of the only things I remember from my French Textbook. “Oooh La La! C’est Cher!” Oh my goodness that’s expensive!

And that’s frankly what I thought of the gift suggestions in Oprah’s Holiday magazine edition. C’mon Oprah we all don’t have more than one home and if we do, let me tell you it ain’t easy enough that we can be buying a cousin $239 dollar STATIONERY! But I guess the point is that it’s a good idea and maybe I can find stationery at a different price point?

But, at least this month’s magazine is on topic. 25 of Oprah’s Favorite things is a good end of the year topper, with all these favorite things from her favorite peeps doubling as gift ideas. Plus they have lots of discounts that you can use, so, well, shop now with those codes or find out they’re out of stock, ASAP. The magazine is also careful to have a wide range of price points, it’s just that the things I am drawn to tend to be the most expensive ( ) and the stuff that’s cheap, well, I won’t be getting it for anyone.

So who’s the worst gift giver? Dr. Oz. Really, am I going to be so presumptuous as to buy anyone running shoes, a monogrammed yoga mat, or pedometer (Well maybe the pedometer, but NOT a $59 dollar one!) Now I do like the idea of the buying someone an sleeping eye mask, decadent, but expensive at $30 bucks. And the funky looking humidifier is waaaay cool (www.gizmine.com) Middle Colors ultrasonic small humidifier, but not for a gift. You’ll either love it or hate it and while I love it? I don’t know where it would fit into my home’s design scheme.

Oh and Suze Orman. She has cheaper stationery at $75 bucks, but still that’s a lot for the gift of stationery. Olive oil is a great housewarming gift but if someone gave it to me for Christmas I’d be pretty annoyed. (I know I’m a horrible gift receiver!) She also has some books that feel like last minute purchases in line at Barnes & Noble, and of course $3 dollar pretty Chinese envelopes for giving cash. But again, what she did find is one helluva cool looking shredder. Wouldn’t give it as a gift, but it’s a great resource. Black & Decker Studio Shredder. Get a discount with the code OPRAHFAV.

Gayle had some great ideas — for instance, porcelain plates that show scenes from modern African-American life — Harlem Toile De Jouy Limited Edition plates $83 for a set of six, now $69 with code OPRAH. Plus she suggested a poundcake (always a yummy alternative to fruitcake, sorry Tracy!) and luxurious Mr. and Mrs. bathrobes. The bathrobes and the cake are great ideas but, at $700 EACH for the robes and $130 for the poundcake, ahem. I was a little taken aback. She also suggests a rose gold watch that’s about $319 with her discount and exercise videos. Again, please, no one ever give exercise videos. At least not to me!

At least Dr. Phil was more reasonable, price wise. Which makes sense and I like his ideas. A FlipVideo camera if you haven’t already gotten one, or a digital frame for grandma, plus the requisite cashmere scarves. I like Adam Glassman’s idea of a remote control helicopter for kids Protocol Tiger Jet with Gyro a very reasonable $39 with the invitation code: OSHOP. Also, some bite-size latkes look pretty damn good. $32 for 48.

All in all there are some IDEAS in this edition, but frankly nothing that I’m actually going to give as a gift. Mostly it’s just the same old same old. Last year’s new gadets, scarves, sweaters, towels, wine, food…nothing really cool. But there’s plenty for Classics with cash, and it’s a starting point for Organics and Smarts. But frankly this would be a complete disappointment for Funs.