NEW YORK – The holiday season is officially in full swing with the return of Oprah's Favorite Things list.
The media mogul is marking 30 years of her annual holiday gift guide with her 2026 edition, shared exclusively with USA TODAY.
Winfrey shares many of her personal favorites, from hiking gear to the shirt she "lives in," also tapping some of her famous friends for inspiration on the list, including a Tom Cruise-favorite cake, a Gayle King must-have and a chic offering from Duchess Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever.
"Thirty years ago, I bought a pair of plaid pajamas that I loved so much, I got them for everyone on my staff. Then a brilliant producer said, 'Why don't you do this for the whole audience?' And that was the start of Favorite Things,"
Winfrey writes. "I love finding wonderful gifts and sharing them with others. I'm so glad to continue the tradition this holiday season!"
The list comes in with 79 picks, a tighter and more curated version than last year's 112 selections. Prices range from the top of the line ($2,759 for a mattress or $1,000+ for various tech products) to lower price points ($26 lip glosses and a $32 puzzle).
Many items on the list were also gifted to more than 100 caregivers in an emotional surprise during a special holiday episode of "The Oprah Podcast" (streaming now), which USA TODAY exclusively attended. The group of people – comprised of nurses, emergency medical services personnel and those caring for their loved ones and animals – burst into applause (and some tears) as Winfrey unveiled the holiday magic. "I wanted to do something special for all of you who give yourselves in so many ways," she said.
"You have my permission to say 'Oprah gave this to me,'" she told the audience, dancing and smiling as she used her signature Oprah voice to gift them everything from the new iPhone Duo to a $700 North Face jacket dubbed "the warmest coat on Earth."
Author Allen Levi (whose book "Theo of Golden" is on the list) and mother-daughter art puzzle duo Vicki and Brooke Rawlins made tear-jerking video appearances, and the attendees were treated to a performance from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jacob Collier.
"I could cry, I'm so happy for you all," Winfrey said, proclaiming "I got you good!" after revealing the surprise.
"My deepest prayer for you all is that everything that you've given will come back to you tenfold in blessings and abundance your life," Winfrey said.
The full list will be available to shop on the new Oprah's Favorite Things' storefront on Amazon at amazon.com/oprahsfavoritethings, and all the items will be featured in Oprah Daily's special print 2026 holiday edition, on newsstands nationwide Nov. 17. Customers can also watch and shop the podcast episode's featured products on Amazon Live, the Amazon Live FAST channel and through Prime Video's Shop the Show.
Here's a peek at 15 highlights from Oprah's 2026 gift list:
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew
"To say I live in them would not be an exaggeration," Winfrey writes of this long-sleeved shirt, which she said she wore "right now as I write" the list. She points out its moisture-wicking fabric and comfortability, courtesy of its merino wool. $125.
Buy at REI
As Ever The Signature Basket
Before Duchess Meghan's move back to the U.K. this summer with Prince Harry and their two children, she was neighbors with Winfrey in Montecito, California. Despite the newfound distance, Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand made the list for the second year in a row. "Who doesn't love a beautifully made picnic hamper? And this one from As Ever will surely bring delight and deliciousness. It's filled with fruit spreads, chocolates, herbal teas, and a candle," which Winfrey writes are "all curated by" Duchess Meghan herself. $250.
Buy at As Ever
Goldbelly Doan's Bakery White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake
Tom Cruise is making his way from Winfrey's TV show couch to her annual list. "This is the 'Tom Cruise cake': a coconut Bundt covered in cream cheese frosting and topped with toasted coconut," Winfrey writes. "He sends it every December to hundreds of friends in Hollywood. I had no idea folks could order their own from a family-owned bakery in L.A. Highly recommend." $140.
Buy at Goldbelly
Uniball Zento Signature Pen
If you're trying to tap into your inner Winfrey and write down your life plans and manifestations, this pen might just be the ticket. "A friend who knows I love a good writing pen stood in line at a store in Japan to bring me this one, which is much sought after. (Shops there often only sell one at a time.) Now widely available in the U.S. – it's for anyone on your list who still writes real notes," she writes. It's also the first product Winfrey selected for this year's list. $40.
Buy at Amazon
Ridge Power Bank
A power bank is the gift that keeps on giving for anyone on the go, and this one is small enough to toss in your bag or your pocket when you're running out the door. From Ridge, it charges both MagSafe wirelessly or with its built-in USB-C and Lightning cables, plus it has an extra spot to charge an Apple Watch. $79.
Buy at Amazon
MPH Beauty Top Coat Lip Gloss
From JLo's lips to your holiday stockings. Winfrey recommends these lip glosses from celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, "whose clients include Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa," and her MPH Beauty brand, which has a nude gloss for every hue. $26.
Buy at MPH Beauty
Rag and Bone Miramar jacket and pants
The ease of sweats with the chic styling of denim, these Rag & Bone pieces give you the look of putting in effort without sacrificing comfort. Winfrey "liked last year's version of 'hard pants that are actually soft pants' so much that I chose these updates. Each piece is printed to look like denim, but they're actually a comfy stretch fabric. Gayle wears hers all the time." $348 for the jacket, $228 for the pants.
Buy pants at Nordstrom
Buy jacket at Nordstrom
Nike Air Zoom Hyperslide
Invite your loved ones to take a load off this holiday season with a shoe that promotes both relaxation and active recovery. The soft soles combined with heat technology and vibrating effect makes these more than just your average slide. Winfrey writes that "the second I tried these and felt the heat and vibration – well, I thought they were fantastic!" $249.
Buy at Nike
WeGym ProGrip Dumbbell Set with Rack
Finally, a weight rack that looks more like decor than a torture device. This neutral option from WeGym saves space with its vertical stacking and the weights "have a cast-iron core, drop-tested exterior, and contoured grip designed with smaller hands in mind," Winfrey writes, noting building muscle is especially important for women as they age. $1,116.
Buy at Target
Musee Bath Tablets
One of the more affordable options on the list are these portable bath salt tablets that take bath time to the next level. You can relax knowing you're lavishly winding down – and that you've done a good deed by supporting a company "that gives women rebuilding their lives after incarceration and addiction a second chance at employment in the founder's home state of Mississippi." $32.
Buy at Musee
SharkNinja Chill Pill Personal Fan and Cooling System
The European heat wave this summer was no match for Oprah's Shark ChillPill fan, she reveals. "I was in France for the hottest days — 104 and 105 degrees. Everybody was walking around with this fan!" Beyond a hot summer day, it's great for the people in your life who tend to run hot, and Winfrey also says she's "giving it to all my 'hot flashing' friends." $150.
Buy at SharkNinja
On The Roger Clubhouse Pro 2 sneakers
You can finally put yourself in Oprah's shoes with this pair from On. "These are my sneakers – and I wear them a lot," Winfrey writes. Of course, her celebrity pal and tennis icon Roger Federer codesigned the shoes. $180.
Buy at Nordstrom
Leki USA Makalu Cork Lite Poles
Winfrey is an avid hiker, and the list includes many of her favorites for hitting the trail, including these walking poles. "I was hiking down a hill with my friend Maria, wishing I'd brought my poles. Just then, three guys finishing their hike passed by, and one held his out: 'Here, would you like these?' I said, 'Are you Jesus?! Because I was just asking for this!' He laughed," she writes. "I've used Leki poles with cork handles ever since." $160.
Buy at REI
Louenhide Margot Hair Tool Travel Case
Products like this hot tool travel case are nice to elevate your routines, but perhaps not something someone would buy for themselves, making it the perfect gift to give at the holidays. The sumptuous suede gives your hair tools an upgrade and keeps everything contained in your travel bag. The bag also has a matching heat mat "so you can set a hot tool down without worry." $69.
Buy at Louenhide
Noel Jolie Velours Body Cream
This luxurious body cream from Noel Jolie is the secret "killer" product Winfrey spilled about to Keke Palmer when filming with the actress. "I was taping with Keke Palmer when she asked me for hand cream. My camera guy Keith had this lotion, which we both tried," Winfrey writes. "We both had the same thought: It's the ash killer! It'll bring back the driest skin out there." $80.
Buy at Noel Jolie
Anika Reed is USA TODAY's deputy entertainment editor, covering all things entertainment and pop culture. Find her on Instagram and TikTok, or send her an email at ajreed@usatoday.com.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oprah's 2026 Favorite Things list returns with Tom Cruise cake, more | Exclusive
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