“Oprah’s Year of Empowering Dreams: Celebrating Small Businesses and Cherished Gifts with her 2023 Favorite Things List”
This has been a year, hasn’t it? With so much happening, it makes sense that we want to celebrate with friends, family, the whole community of people we hold in our heart all year long. So we’ve looked across the country (and a little beyond) to find just the right gifts for the people you love, adore, and thank heaven for. Shop from this list, and you’ll support a wide variety of BIPOC-, women-, or veteran-founded companies. You’ll not only find terrific presents but also support the people who stepped out on a dream to make those gifts happen. Don’t you love that?
Oprah tends to put the focus on promoting small businesses, and she’s kept that up this year with additions from independent brands (though with the convenience of shopping on Amazon).
Her list can get quite long, but we rounded up our favorites so you know exactly what we think is worth buying. Oprah is known for gift giving and she discovers some great small businesses stating,
“This year lots of the terrific gifts come from small business owners — from family shops, best friends, dynamic duos, and local makers — so you’re not only discovering great gifts, but you are also supporting the people who stepped out on a dream to make them,” Winfrey shared in a release.
TOP PICKS
Home Of The Hoop Earring And A Celebration Of A Cultural Staple.
“I created Hoop Mobb to be an affordable, culturally centered accessory brand that provides women with access to trendy and quality jewelry with great service.
My hope is that Hoop mobb empowers you to be bold, free, and authentic in your skin; while honoring the richness of the black experience. “
Visit Hoop Mobb HERE.
A luxury home fragrance brand specializing in scented candles inspired by the richness of Harlem. Founded in 2014 by travel and lifestyle expert Teri Johnson, the Harlem Candle Company is the manifestation of her love affair with fragrance, jazz, and Harlem.
Teri, a native Texan, decided to make the New York City neighborhood of Harlem her permanent home.
The Harlem Candle Co. began in her kitchen in 2014. Visit Harlem Candle Company HERE.
Puzzle Huddle was created in January 2018. Matthew and his wife Marnel have three children all under the age of seven.
Matthew was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and his wife Marnel was raised in Philadelphia, PA. The two met while attending Howard University for graduate school.
Frustrated with the lack of diverse images shown on commercially-produced puzzles, the family began creating unique puzzle designs. Visit Puzzle Huddle HERE.
Former HR executive recently launched Lalais with the aim of creating exceptional beauty products specifically for those with oily skin. Her blotting compact, though, is perfect for anyone battling a little shine—it’s small, hygienic, and eco-friendly.
We believe everyone should be celebrated. Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of what guides us in formulation and everything thereafter. So, all those with oily or combination skin can be assured that our products deliver noticeable results.
Visit LALAIS HERE.
But how exactly do Oprah and the Favorite Things team pick the products? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look.
Yes, Oprah has tried and tested every. single. item.
“That’s what’s so pure about this list,” says Adam Glassman, Oprah Daily’s creative director (and longtime Oprah’s Favorite Things wrangler). “They really are her favorite things.” Each list is made up of products that Oprah uses on the daily.” This year, he was especially excited that Oprah could once again be in person in New York City to test all the items.
The team who helps her is small but mighty.
Oprah enlists a few trusted sources when it comes to putting Favorite Things together. Glassman leads the charge along with Rae Ann Herman, Oprah Daily’s market director, and the two spend the year seeking out the best products they think Oprah would love. Once that list is combined with Oprah’s own suggestions, the team gets to the fun part—trying and testing, of course. And although it is Oprah’s favorites, Gayle gets to have a little say in what’s picked, too. “Gayle has the sweet tooth,” Glassman says. “She loves anything with frosting.” That pairs well with Oprah’s tendency toward savory foods (hence the truffle hot sauce). Since having her first grandchild, Luca, Gayle is also a big help when it comes to picking gifts for kids—like this year’s adorable Safari-themed high-top sneakers.
