“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” ― Oprah Winfrey
Introduction
Oprah Winfrey's annual edition of the "Oprah’s Favorite Things" list has long been a source of inspiration for gift-givers and shoppers alike. “Oprah's Favorite Things” was an annual segment that appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show from the 1990s to 2010 before the holiday season. In the segment, which aired during Thanksgiving week, Oprah was inspired by the holiday song “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. To this day Oprah is one of the most influential women in America. Millions of people swear by the items on her Favorite Things List.
From 1996 until 2010, Oprah's Favorite Things was one of the most highly-anticipated segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show, one that has lived on yearly as a franchise in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. In the 24-year history of the celebrated list, a total of 1,175 items have been featured.
In 2023, Oprah continues to delight us with her curated selection of favorite things and thoughtful gift ideas, including the most sought-after pet items! Oprah's penchant for quality, innovation, and uniqueness shines through as she presents her favorite pet-related products, including PRIDE+GROOM!
PRIDE+GROOM is extremely pleased and humbled to be part of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” for the second time since our brand launched in 2020! Join us now in discovering the best of Oprah's recommendations for holiday gifts and pet owners in 2023.
Who Is Oprah Winfrey?
Oprah Gail Winfrey (/ˈoʊprə/; born on January 29, 1954, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, broadcast from Chicago, which ran in national syndication for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011. Dubbed the "Queen of All Media", she was the richest African-American of the 20th century and was once the world's only black billionaire. By 2007, she was often ranked as the most influential woman in the world
How "Oprah's Favorite Things" Began
It all began with a pair of pajamas...
When a senior producer on the set of The Oprah Winfrey Show gave the talk show host a pair of Karen Neuburger pajamas in the fall of 1996, Oprah instantly fell in love—and wanted to share the joy. “She loved them so much, she bought them for the whole staff,” Adam Glassman, O's Creative Director says. “And then she decided she wanted to gift them to her entire audience.”
So on November 27, 1996, Oprah came onstage in her red-and-white checkered Karen Neuburger pajamas, dancing to “My Favorite Things, ”the tune from The Sound of Music. She professed how much she loved the PJs and revealed that everyone in the audience would be going home with a free pair. Her viewers went crazy.
At the time, Glassman says, “TV audiences were not used to getting anything from anyone; they were just thrilled to be at the show in the first place.”
Oprah became so inspired by the enormous excitement that she immediately wanted to do more. So she and her producers came up with the idea to create an entire show based around her favorite things, just in time for the holiday season. It would serve as a way to share products that she felt were noteworthy and would make great gifts. They named it “Oprah’s Favorite Things”, and the annual holiday spectacular was born.
Oprah Winfrey's discerning eye and unwavering commitment to excellence have made her list a trusted source of inspiration to find the "perfect gift". She is keen on choosing local makers, small businesses and even highlighting a female owned business whenever she can. When it comes to choosing pet-related products, Oprah and her team apply the same rigorous standards. They consider factors like quality, innovation, and uniqueness, ensuring that every item on the list is truly exceptional.
PRIDE+GROOM on Favorite Things 2023
The Oprah seal-of-approval has its perks. Of course, the bragging rights are second-to-none.
“Oprah’s love of gift giving is infectious, and she believes in choosing gifts for others based on what she personally loves,” says Adam Glassman. “There’s always been real authenticity when it comes to the things Oprah shares, and I think that’s why her list is still so relevant today.”
Here are the PRIDE+GROOM Products you can find on the Favorite Things list in 2023:
DO. NOT. FRET. THE TOOL KIT IS HERE TO GET YOU FROM GROOM TO GROOM BEAUTIFULLY!
“This set proves handy, especially between grooming appointments, and features a foamy, waterless shampoo, bath brush, and protective balm. These are safe for humans, so you can treat your fur baby like you would yourself.” - Oprah
THE BATH BRUSH: Release debris and undercoat in and out of the bath. Stimulate and release natural skin oils, and detangle, all the while giving your pet one helluva tip-worthy massage. In the bath, slip your hand through the strap and, using circular motions, massage the product into the coat and skin.
THE MANE TAME: A light, foamy, perfectly scented shampoo that requires no water! It’s a quick and surprisingly thorough way to extend the life of a groom or just freshen up. Fill your palm with foam and run it through the coat. Depending on size, repeat, until every adorable inch is fresh enough to re- enter the bed.
THE BALM: Address those pet parts that are prone to dryness. Whether the culprit is the cold, the heat, or just plain genes, a quick slick of the balm to paws, noses and pesky dry patches delivers moisturizing healing, long-lasting relief. (And listen-don’t be stingy with your own dry bits!)
ALL YOU NEED TO KEEP IT TOGETHER BETWEEN BATHS. It's the perfect gift if you ask us!
CONTAINS THE BALM, THE BATH BRUSH + THE MANE TAME WATERLESS SHAMPOO
Why PRIDE+GROOM Stands Out From The Crowd
PRIDE+GROOM is the first dog grooming brand to launch under a beauty platform, with formulas made in a clean beauty lab and fragrance house. The line was founded by four NYC dog moms who wanted to bring their dogs the same level of luxury beauty and skincare that we, as humans, experience ourselves.
When we shop for a luxury shampoo for ourselves, we read reviews, scrutinize ingredients, and peep celebrity #shelfies — all before we dare take a new formula to our own scalps. We also steer clear of products laden with toxic chemicals we can’t pronounce, so why not take the same mindful approach when it comes to picking premium grooming products for our pets?
Well, Oprah certainly did. She was one of the very first to believe in our brand when we launched in 2020. PRIDE+GROOM consists of shampoos and conditioners (and now a longer list of grooming products) formulated specifically for your dog’s sensitive-skinned, heavy-shedding, or non-shedding needs. The moisturizing products smell divine, thanks to all-natural ingredients like calendula extract for soothing itchy skin, marshmallow root for healing hot spots, and jojoba seed oil for unclogging hair follicles. Our signature scent, which is less of a recognizable specific scent and more of “fresh and clean” in a bottle, was developed by us in a fragrance house.
Like so many, we love our families and take pride in our homes, and we consider our pets to be integral parts of those entities. That said, we could not find an effective way to coif them that felt on par with the way we tended to our children, our homes, ourselves. These beloved pets are allowed on the furniture and in our beds, and yet even when fresh from the groomer, we knew they did not smell or feel as good as they could. So, leashes in hand, off we went.
And the chic, sustainable packaging means that PRIDE+GROOM bottles can be displayed alongside your own beauty products. (No need to take our word for it — Oprah and her dog Sadie have also given their stamps of approval.) This gift set will be loved by both the pet and pet parent.
Expert Insights and The Process Behind Favorite Things
The O team begins the Favorite Things selection process by attending trade shows in January each year, traveling to Dallas and Atlanta for gift show exhibitions. What started as a segment on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1990’s quickly became an annual phenomenon with staying power into 2023.
Their team is looking for items all year round, and say that it’s important to travel outside of New York for the shows, because their brand is really speaking to women everywhere. There is not a rock or a stone unturned to find the right products.
Next, everything that the editors choose is sent to the office for review, and the many rounds of editing (not to mention unloading, unpacking, and repacking) ensue. “It’s a very all-hands-on-deck process, and Oprah herself is involved the entire time,” Glassman explains. “Through it all, she's sending me stuff that she likes, and we have a continual back and forth sharing our findings.
We were even told that Oprah used PRIDE+GROOM shampoos on her own dogs in 2020 and fell in love with the scent, as well as the results! Here’s an excerpt from our 2020 experience on Favorite Things:
Hair of the Dog
“I never liked the chemical scent of my dogs' shampoo. But this set for non shedding pups (others are for shedders or sensitive skin–havers) uses all-natural ingredients, so hugs don't leave me waiting to exhale. And 10 percent of proceeds go to animal welfare groups, which earns Sadie's approval!” - Oprah Winfrey
The list has to touch on gifts to suit everyone—mom, grandma, baby, teachers, colleagues, companions, and four-legged friends alike. Each item gets considered for many factors including quality, price point, size, inclusivity, and relevance to what’s happening in the world. But the curation is key, and there are a few ways the team starts editing.
For one, “the story behind the products is always interesting to Oprah,” Glassman says. Additionally, “packaging and presentation is really key to Oprah. She believes ‘love is in the details,’ and she appreciates when a product is delivered in a beautiful manner.” The addition of our shampoo gift set to her list was truly a turning point for PRIDE+GROOM which has launched shortly before the list announcement. We are forever grateful!
The Perfect Gift For Pet Lovers
Dog lovers (or cat enthusiasts) are a special breed. You know the type: They're forever finding a way to show you videos of their dog's adorable antics, they plan their days and vacations around their pet's playdates, and they're constantly buying new accessories for their furry friend.
But all with good reason: Dog owners know that showering their pets with amazingness is only fair. And not just during the holiday season! After all, there's nothing quite like a dog's comfort, company and unconditional love.
Holiday shopping, finding dog gifts for humans for doting dog owners can be especially difficult, but we're here to help. Whether their canine companion is a frosty-faced senior or a brand-new puppy, THE TOOL KIT is the perfect choice for a lucky recipient and their compassionate, loving owner(s).
Conclusion
In conclusion, The “Oprah's Favorite Things” list is a testament to the love and care we have for our furry friends. This list has always been an unstoppable force. The chosen and featured products represent the absolute best of the best, chosen with the utmost care and consideration. From a jewelry box to cocoa butter to chic organic cotton to dog shampoo, being one of the small businesses featured on this list is truly an honor.
The best pet parent gifts can be hard to nail down—not because it requires a ton of thought, but because there are just so many options out there. Whether you're a pet owner or simply looking for the perfect holiday gift for a loved one, Oprah's unique and coveted list is a valuable resource for spoiling everyone you know in style, including your pets.
See the entire "Oprah's Favorite Things" 2023 list here! - oprahdaily.com
IN DOG WE TRUST
