Oprah's Favorite Things

Let me start by saying, I do like Oprah. I don't watch her show, but I know she likes to inspire and empower people, and I admire that. But I didn't know, until I just stumbled into it online, that every year around holiday shopping time, she comes up with a list of Oprah's Favorite Things.

Apparently, I have been sleeping under a rock. This list of Favorite Things causes immediate buying frenzies in stores and online. But, to those who say it's too materialistic- I say, "Bah Humbug! This looks just like my list!"

First, I plan to give sweets to some of my friends. Mine were going to be some homemade goodies. Hers? Cupcakes that cost about $6.50 each according to the Oprah website. They probably are a bit yummier than the cupcakes I make. Cake mix was on sale at the store today for one dollar a package, but, well, some assembly is required. Plus, the sorbetto she picked as one of her favorite things looks quite yummy. Maybe I'll switch. Good thing her website has a tab to click, so I can print a copy of her list to take shopping with me.

Next, I have a friend who likes to be pampered. Perhaps I could get her the $195 face washer that's one of Oprah's Favorite Things. After I've shopped for everyone else, maybe I'll get one for myself, too. I wonder how I've been washing my face all these years without it.

Also, I've been checking prices for an alarm clock you can put your iPod in. It's going on sale in a couple of days. Of course, I could get my friend the refrigerator that's one of Oprah's Favorite things, that she bought for her audience members. My friend wouldn't even need her iPod with that, since it has an HDTV screen built into the door. I guess a fridge with a "regular" screen is so 2006. I don't even have a tv in the kitchen, what am I thinking?

Finally, back to low-tech. It's good to see that books are among Oprah's Favorite Things. They're certainly on my list. Already, I've picked out a couple of books for my young nephew, including one of the pop-up ones on dinosaurs.

Oprah's list has one of her book club selections and a book called: O's Guide to Life. The Guide includes lots of her favorite articles from her magazine. I might buy it, if it includes an article on how to afford all this stuff.

Hopefully it comes in a pop-up version.