The start of the holiday gifting season is practically tied to the release of Oprah’s Favorite Things list, and she just unveiled her go-to picks for the 2024 edition. Like every year, her list draws selections across shopping categories like beauty, home goods, skin care, fashion and more. This year, Oprah’s Favorite Things list features 116 different items, with the majority selected from small businesses and women-, LGBTQ-, Hispanic- and Black-owned businesses — and 59 new brands are on the list.
This year, Underscored got a sneak peek into how the list gets made — it’s now in its 28th year (and a decade partnering with Amazon) — during a chat with Oprah Daily’s creative director, Adam Glassman. And lest one think the Favorite Things list is unduly swayed by brands or PR reps, Glassman says Oprah is actually very hands-on each year with the list. “It’s called Oprah’s Favorite Things for a reason!” he says. “These really are her favorite things. She is not afraid to remind me and Gayle that it’s not the A or G List.”
And yes, she actually uses each thing on the list. “Each product included in the list is something Oprah uses in her daily life,” Glassman says. “She doesn’t hesitate to feature the same brands year after year. Once she finds a product she loves, like Truff’s truffle hot sauce, for example, it remains a staple on the list.”
The list is also always big on a mix of buzzy brands and small businesses. “We believe in gifting with purpose and shining the light on sellers that people may not know, along with a mix of tried-and-true brands people are always looking for during the holiday season,” Glassman says.
We’ve picked out some of our favorites below, and you can shop the rest over at Amazon’s dedicated storefront.
Oprah’s Favorite Things in home and pets
Greenpan's set of nonstick cookware is a dream for big cooking projects and quick weeknight dinners, cooking food evenly and cleaning up beautifully. (I can vouch for the frying pan. It’s my go-to for making dinner.)
If your pet hates getting wet or standing still for a bath, this waterless bath kit helps them (and you) go longer between baths with two great grooming (well, cleanup) products. It comes with a mitt for cleaning your dog after a roll in the dirt and dry shampoo to keep them fresh until their next proper bath.
Transform your and your friend's favorite photo into a work of art, courtesy of a paint-by-numbers setup that makes portrait painting a breeze. The box includes everything you need to get started, including 48 curated colors for accurate detail, brushes and two blank canvases.
Gift this book to your favorite person who’s struggling with a little creative blockage or who wants to transform their life but doesn’t know how. The journal offers visual exercises, writing prompts and meditations to help them overcome obstacles and fears, opening up the way for some real-life changes.
“If you scream for ice cream — or sorbet, slushies, gelato, Italian ice, frozen yogurt — then this handy device is for you,” Oprah says in her official list. It takes only a few steps to create a deliciously cold sweet treat, plus it’s a favorite of our Underscored team.
Add a little glamour to your next cocktail with this set of six wavy coupes. We love that the different colors make it easier for guests to remember whose glass is whose during your holiday party.
This set of dinnerware is a one-stop purchase for a stylish table, with six soup bowls, two soup bowls with lids, a salad bowl with a lid, six dinner plates and a tray. Each is cast in a modern, low-slung design to go with any kitchen.
Oprah’s Favorite Things in fashion
Last year, the "it" bag from Telfar made this list. This year, it returns alongside an equally stylish puffer jacket. It’s long enough to keep you warm on cold city commutes, and we love its array of colors too.
These gorgeous hoops are glam enough for parties but cool enough for everyday wear with a snug fit and some seriously shiny stones.
The next best thing to wearing a plush throw blanket, Eberjey’s long robe is the coziest way to start the day or step out of the shower. Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled postconsumer polyester for some eco-friendliness.
Show off your alma mater and some HBCU pride with these caps from Dungeon Forward, which feature a cool, colorful, graphic design for a twist on the usual college baseball cap.
Snuggly and warm for early mornings on chilly floors, these slippers are perfect for your favorite person with notoriously cold feet. We love the hard sole for slippery wood floors or taking out the recycling.
Oprah’s Favorite Things in beauty
This one-pass makeup remover gets your party makeup off and cleanses skin your skin without stripping away its natural barrier. The size is travel-friendly for holiday trips too.
It wouldn’t be an Oprah list without a luxurious bubble bath, and this beautifully bottled one makes for a gorgeous gift (or self-care moment). The trio of available scents includes milk, charcoal rose and lavender.
Both Oprah and our deals editor Jacqueline Saguin love this hair dryer designed for coily, curly and wavy hair. It features a ceramic-coated grill that reduces hot spots, two heat settings and two speed settings for a bespoke blow-dry.
These handcrafted soaps are made for stressed-out skin, and the six all-natural bars deliver spa-like scents in a gorgeous box for gifting.
Thanks to the gorgeous, pigmented shades, this six-piece set of Lip Velvets is the perfect companion to holiday (and everyday) looks. It's a personal go-to for me: I love the cream formula and weightless matte finish that doesn’t dry out my lips.
Oprah’s Favorite Things in tech and travel
These neutrally toned Beats Studio Pros come in rich colors to complement latte-inspired outfits, and they deliver the high-quality audio that Beats Studio Pros are known for. “I’m a fan of Beats over-the-head headphones,” Oprah says. “If someone you know is too, they’ll love these, which come in my favorite neutral palette.”
This teched-out water bottle combines a 20-ounce vessel with a Bluetooth speaker and a portable charger — perfect for long solo hikes or nights around a campfire.
If your significant other is all about their gym sesh (or they’re always on the tense side), this massage gun delivers a percussive massage that reaches deep into muscle tissue — plus provides some heat to aid recovery.
Modeled after classic Ray-Bans but with very 2024 technology, these Wayfarer-esque smart sunnies have a ton of tech capabilities. Use them to livestream, take photos, scan a QR code (handy for restaurant menus) and even make and take video calls.
These aren’t your usual earbuds, though they deliver the great Bose sound you’d expect. Instead, “they’re worn like an ear cuff — folks can still hear the world around them while never losing these,” Oprah says. “Genius!”
Oprah’s Favorite Things in food
Truff's festive duo of beloved truffle-infused sauces features the company’s signature Jalapeno Lime Sauce as well as the fiery Habanero Hot Sauce for a little citrus and a lot of spicy.
Take it from Oprah (and this writer who lives in Spain): The Spanish do potato chips well. And this brand happens to be one of the best (there’s a reason why it’s been around since 1932). The ham man at my local market sells tins of this brand, so it’s the real deal — and the perfect gift for your snacky best friend.
Perfect for cozy winter nights enhanced by a good Netflix queue, this popcorn kit includes a heritage varietal, plus olive oil and truffle salt for a gourmet twist on the classic snack. It even comes with a bowl for optimal snacking.
Enjoy a sweet morning with this collection of delicious marmalades. From tangerine to orange and hibiscus to lemon and honey, this California-grown fruit marmalade set comes in a beautiful gift package.