Jenice Armstrong's Favorite Things 2015
This year's Oprah Winfrey-inspired My Favorite Things list is my very best ever because it includes gifts for the entire family.
This year's Oprah Winfrey-inspired My Favorite Things list is my very best ever because it includes gifts for the entire family.
It really runs the gamut. I'm talking everything from fantasy gifts such as a luxurious couples massage at the Rittenhouse Hotel to a very practical week's worth of groceries from Acme. There are coupons for a free lunch and mulled wine at Christmas Village by City Hall, too.
Family togetherness - that's a major theme for My Favorite Things this year, so the Faves gift pack includes "Disney on Ice" and Flyers tickets. And the new Fashionista Barbies by Mattel. But we haven't forgotten stocking stuffers either - including the O-key ring that was on Oprah's list last year.
The 10 lucky winners who will get everything on the My Favorite Things list won't have to shop for anybody this holiday season!
Entering is easy. Just fill in the coupon that's running in the Daily News every day through Dec. 13. Mail it in or bring it to the Daily News offices at 801 Market St. (entrance on 8th Street across from Ross Dress for Less). Winners will be chosen at random and contacted by phone on Dec. 18.
ENTER AS OFTEN AS YOU WANT, but you must use the coupon in the paper, or pick one up at our Market Street offices.
Happy holidays!
Acme gift card
Who couldn't use a $100 basket of goodies from their friendly, neighborhood grocer?
Opposuits by Macys
Want to make a statement at your next company Christmas party? Show up in an Opposuit. Our models are wearing them on the cover! All eyes will be on you in this matching jacket, pants and tie in a wacky color combo. ($100 gift card)
Your Daily News
Get the gift that keeps on delivering - a free one-year subscription ($343.20) to the People Paper! Keep up with your favorite columnists and writers. Includes a digital subscription as well.
DelFrisco's Steakhouse
Use your $150 gift card for the swank restaurant's Prime Pair Sundays prix fixe meal - an eight-ounce filet paired with your choice of crab cake, lemon-garlic scallops or BBQ-spiced shrimp, plus a salad and side for $55. If you still have room, order a slice of their signature lemon cake. Broad and Chestnut streets.
Leather necktie
Love these supple neckties ($70) made for the Chloe Johnston collection. They are silk lined and come in different colors. A great boyfriend gift!
Rastelli food basket
Food baskets are the best family gifts! This ($99) one from Rastelli Market Fresh, with locations in Marlton and Deptford, N.J., is full of artisanal goodies - Parmigiana Reggiano and cheddar cheeses, crackers, soppressata salami, dried apricots and other goodies. There's a little something for everyone.
Couples massage
The Rittenhouse Spa & Club in the Rittenhouse Hotel (210 W Rittenhouse Sq.) is one of those places you can spend the whole day relaxing and lounging. Use this $300 gift card for whatever you want, but we're suggesting a couple's massage - a romantic, relaxing holiday treat. Plus you'll get drinks for two at Library Bar.
A year of TastyKakes
Send this to the homesick Philadelphia transplant on your list ($107). Or keep it for yourself! I love Butterscotch Krimpets, but I'm tempted to switch up to some of the new holiday flavors like red velvet. TastyKakes also makes gingerbread mini doughnuts covered in cinnamon crumble, and a salted caramel mini as well. Yum!
"Disney on Ice" family pack
To me, it's all about experiences - not so much what you get in a box, even if it is beautifully wrapped. That's what this great gift ($160) is all about. Disney is celebrating "100 Years of Magic," so look for performances from "Frozen," "Beauty and the Beast" and other classics.
Beats Mixr On-Ear Dr. Dre Headphones
Transform your workouts. These headphones ($160) fit snugly and make the treadmill much more fun. Plus, they really up your cool factor.
Fashionista Barbie
I'm a Barbie girl. Always have been. I'm especially liking Mattel's new line of Fashionista Barbies ($9.99) in a rainbow of colors and ethnicities. Even the names are diverse. Raquelle? Really? Love.
Earrings
Marlo Brinson of Silver Treasures always blings things over the top. Not only does she bring her fab jewelry to the cover shoot for My Favorite Things, but she also includes some glittery studs ($35) in the giveaway.
Leopard ice bucket
I'm a longtime fan of online retailer Ballard Designs. So, when I heard a Ballard store was opening King of Prussia, I was there for the grand opening. The store is packed with the well-crafted, reasonably priced merchandise the catalog is known for. This leopard-print Kalea Wine Cooler ($149) with antique brass finish stopped me in my tracks. Fab!
"Family is Everything" tee
Former VH1 "Mob Wives" star Alicia DiMichele has her priorities straight and says so on these great T-shirts ($40) from her Alicia DiMichele Boutique, 500 Route 73 South D3, Marlton, N.J.
$100 Century 21 gift card
Since Century 21 opened a year ago, it's rocked Philly's retail landscape and become my go-to place for browsing just to see what's what. Use this $100 gift card to find a showstopping something for holiday parties.
Eagles wine holder
The Eagles may stink this season, but I'm still a fan of this glittery ($35.99) wine holder featuring the team's logo from NFL Homegating.
Suede Keratin manicure
Keratin gel manicures ($28) last so much longer than conventional manicures.
He Said, She Said Nameplates
Here's a novel gift ($28) for that co-worker in the next cubicle. Created by Valerie Safran, a Philadelphia lifestyle expert and restaurateur, the nameplates have witty sayings such as, "I'm Kind of a Big Deal" and "Haters Gonna Hate." Safran's desk has one that says, "I'm Not Bossy, I Am The Boss." What's not to love?
UGG blanket throws
When it's cold, I practically live in UGGS boots. When I heard about the new UGG throws ($98) at Bloomingdale's King of Prussia, it was love at first sight!
"Book of Mormon" tix
A pair of tickets ($134) to see the irreverent, outrageous hit musical at the Forrest Theatre until Dec. 27.
$100 Primark gift card
Irish fashion retailer Primark is the hot new ticket at King of Prussia Mall, inside the old Sears space.
Honey Blowout
Created by Philly hair maven Carla Clarkson, Honey Blowout ($20) is a conditioning treatment that smells and looks so good that you'll be tempted to taste it. It makes your hair look and feel wonderful. Yes, I'm a fan.
O-key rings
Last year, Oprah Winfrey featured these leather key rings ($55) in her My Favorite Things roundup. They fit around your wrist and are easy to find in your purse.
Cufflinks
I love a man in cufflinks, especially these Liberty coin cuffs ($75) by Henry A. Davidsen, the custom tailor that just opened at 17th and Spruce streets. Class!
Patti pie!
Patti LaBelle fans are clamoring for Patti's sweet potato pie ($3.48), available only at Walmart - if you can find one! The retailer can't keep them in stock. We have 10 to give away.
Flyers tickets
Philadelphia Flyers Santa Sacks gift packages are great for the sports lover on your list. This year's pack ($150) includes: a pair of tickets to a select Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center, an autographed Flyers puck, an Xfinity LIVE! $10 gift card, vouchers for two free hot dogs, soft drinks and popcorn, and a coupon for half-priced Flyers Wives Carnival tickets.
Termini Bros. cannoli
I'm partial to Termini Bros. cannoli, the first I'd ever tried and the one I go back to whenever my sweet tooth is in overdrive. This cannoli gift pack ($50), which can be home delivered, features six homemade shells and two bags of filling - ricotta cheese, vanilla or chocolate. Yum!
Lunch at Christmas Village
Walking through the Christmas Village at JFK Plaza with a mug of hot, mulled wine is one of my all-time favorite things to do during the holidays. You'll get gift cards to cover lunch for two and wine or hot cocoa. Christmas Village, with dozens of vendors selling traditional European food and presents, is open daily through Dec. 27 at 15th and Arch streets.
Bobbi Brown Deluxe Cheek and Eye Palette
These curated collections of color by Bobbi Brown ($85) make me want to experiment with my look. Smoky eye, anyone?