Jennifer Love Hewitt Says This 90s Trend Is the Perfect Holiday Present and Shares Gift-Giving Hacks

We interviewed Jennifer Love Hewitt because we think you'll like her picks. Jennifer is a paid spokesperson for MakerPlace by Michaels. Some of the products featured are from Jennifer's company 21 Co. E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more.

Jennifer Love Hewitt considers herself a true holiday junkie, and this time of year brings her so much joy! With the festive season upon us, she loves to dive into all things that make the holidays special—from the decorations to the treats and, of course, the thoughtful gifts.

This year is particularly exciting for her, as she stars in her very first Christmas movie, The Holiday Junkie. Jennifer embraces the spirit of giving and the warmth of family traditions, believing that handmade gifts add a personal touch that store-bought items just can't match. 

For Jennifer, the holidays are all about connecting with those who matter most, sharing laughter, and creating memories that last a lifetime. It’s not just the presents; it’s the thoughtfulness and love that make this season truly magical! This is why Jennifer curated a special gift guide with MakerPlace by Michaels. 

In an exclusive E! interview, Jennifer shares thoughtful gift ideas, holiday traditions, self-care essentials, and her favorite 90s trend.

Jennifer Love Hewitt's Holiday Gift Ideas

E!: Do you have a favorite present from your MakerPlace by Michaels gift guide?
JLH: If there's one gift on the guide that's truly universal, it’s the 100 Reasons Why I Love You Message in a Bottle. I’m obsessed with it! It’s simple, beautiful, and heartfelt, perfect for men, women, kids, friends, grandparents—just about anyone. 

"In a world that can be tough sometimes, there’s never a bad moment to receive a whole bottle of reasons why someone loves you. And no matter who it’s from, it’s such a meaningful, uplifting gift, especially for a rainy day."

More from Jennifer: "I think it's one of the most universal and magical gifts on the list. It fits perfectly in a stocking or gift bag, but the sentiment lasts far beyond the holidays."

E!: Are there 90s trends that you think would make a great holiday gift today?
JLH: I mean, first of all, anything from the 90s, period.  It's so funny how my kids talk about the 90s now. They're like, "Oh, the 90s." I'm like, "That was my time. The 90s were great."
 
One thing that I'm really obsessed with that has made a comeback is butterfly hair clips. They’re a great throwback! I have so many pictures of myself wearing those clips. I think I even wore them to premieres, which might be illegal, but it worked! 

"I feel like they're back in a big way, they’re not expensive, and they’re really fun. That would be my suggestion!"

More from Jennifer:  "They’re perfect for putting in dolls' hair if you're gifting little girls or in their hair for middle school girls."

E!: Are there any games or activities that make a great gift for the whole family?
JLH: I'm into family movie night. That makes a great gift for the family. Then add in a cute little seasonal PJ set, and everyone can cuddle up and watch The Grinch or Nightmare Before Christmas, or whatever it is that you want to watch. 

For a Christmas movie situation, you can have popcorn, which doesn’t have to be expensive. 

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"You can use cute little containers for everyone and fill them with popcorn, candy, and a water bottle, or maybe a Christmas cookie that you’ve all made together."

More from Jennifer: "It covers a lot of ground: the yummy part, the family part, the activity part, and the cozy part. It really brings everything together and makes it nice. We will be doing that this year in my family with the holiday movie theme."

E!: When it comes to pampering yourself, are there any beauty gifts you’d love to receive?
JLH: One of the things on the list is the Coffee Shop Brown Sugar Scrub.

"Anything for the bath is always a treat for me because it’s my time to unwind. That’s why I made sure to include it on my gift list—I'm obsessed with it!"

More from Jennifer: "Anything for the bath feels decadent and special. A candle paired with a scrub would be perfect too. I just love feeling pampered!

"I also love a Fenty gloss. It feels like a nice little indulgence, and it lasts forever."

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E!: How do you keep your gift-giving fresh and heartfelt year after year when it comes to your husband, Brian Hallisay? 
JLH: I’ll admit, the person I feel the most pressure to find the perfect gift for every holiday is my husband. I want it to feel truly special.

With kids, it's easy because they’re clear about what they want. For your spouse, it’s different. I always try to find at least one thing that’s really tailored to him, something meaningful, and then maybe add a few fun items.

"Gift-giving with a spouse can be tricky, which is why I think handmade or small-business finds are perfect for them. You can personalize so many things—get items engraved, monogrammed, or customized in ways that turn everyday items into something really special."

More from Jennifer: "Engraving something automatically makes it something when you do that, it's something that people keep, right? Think about how many gifts you’ve given over the years that people will eventually, like, get rid of."

"Small businesses offer so many inspired ideas that add romance and thoughtfulness. You can print your wedding photo or another special photo on wood. Gifts like these have a special touch that mass-produced items just can’t match."

E!: Do you have a go-to host gift? 
JLH: I mean, you can never go wrong with a candle. Candles are amazing. They always work. The only tricky part about choosing a candle is to go with a very soft, mellow scent. Nobody wants a candle that smells like an entire department store. 

"Some people think a strong scent will fill the room, but that’s not the way to go. Stick with something gentle, like vanilla or pine—something mellow and beautiful, nothing too overpowering."

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"I recently started giving festive notepads that say 'Holiday State of Mind.' They’re perfect for keeping track of gift lists, thank-you notes, or anything else you need." 

More from Jennifer: "I know a lot of people say they just use the notes section on their phone, but that doesn’t work for me. I forget it’s even there! I’m definitely a paper person. I like to write things down, mark them off, and then rip the page out and toss it away when I'm done. That’s why I find the notepad really helpful."

"I pair the notepads with our 2021 Co. Holiday Junkie tags because people always run out of gift tags while wrapping during Christmas."

More from Jennifer: "I put together the notepad, gift tags, and maybe a candle as a host gift. It’s a thoughtful way to say, 'I'm giving you something for you,' while also covering you for those moments when you need to jot something down or realize you're out of gift tags. People love it and are always grateful."

E!: What makes your book Inheriting Magic a thoughtful holiday gift?
JLH: The size and the way it was written are designed for easy reading, making it something you can keep nearby. While it addresses significant concepts like grief, parenting, and life changes, it's meant to be a light read. Particularly during the holidays, the "holiday junkie" section offers great dinner ideas and inspiration for parents. 

The book aims to inspire a new mindset. I acknowledge that some readers might think it requires a lot of time, and I want to emphasize that it’s not about doing everything exactly as I do. Instead, it encourages readers to discover their version of magic for their families and to invest a little extra effort into making ordinary days feel extraordinary. Life is short, and adding a touch of magic can transform everyday experiences, creating memorable moments for those around you. 

 "I truly believe the book would make a wonderful holiday gift or a thoughtful host present, as it contains recipes, fun ideas, and birthday party suggestions."

Jennifer Love Hewitt Holiday Q&A

E!: Given how much you love the holidays, it's surprising that The Holiday Junkie is your first Christmas movie.
JLH: You’re not the only one who has said that. When we announced that everyone had the same reaction. I've been saying that for years. So, I just had to make my own. Now, I'm really excited about it.  

E!: What do you look forward to the most when it comes to this holiday season?
JLH: I just feel like it's the one time of the year that everybody's just like, “Let's be kinder. Let's be more open. Let's believe in magic” It's just a beautiful time of year when I feel like people drop cynicism or fear, or bad moods. They just kind of give over to something that feels a little bit lighter and more magical. I just really enjoy that.

E!: Your partnership with MakerPlace by Michaels is a great way to foster that holiday magic and support small businesses.
JLH: I think people get really intimidated about holidays and think everything needs to be super expensive or have some big name attached to it. I feel like the more thoughtful you can be, the better. If you can give something handmade, even if you didn’t make it by hand yourself, there’s a thought behind that gift that can really feel special and great. 

Jennifer Love Hewitt Holiday Q&A

E!: Given how much you love the holidays, it's surprising that The Holiday Junkie is your first Christmas movie.
JLH: You’re not the only one who has said that. When we announced that everyone had the same reaction. I've been saying that for years. So, I just had to make my own. Now, I'm really excited about it.  

E!: What do you look forward to the most when it comes to this holiday season?
JLH: I just feel like it's the one time of the year that everybody's just like, “Let's be kinder. Let's be more open. Let's believe in magic” It's just a beautiful time of year when I feel like people drop cynicism or fear, or bad moods. They just kind of give over to something that feels a little bit lighter and more magical. I just really enjoy that.

E!: Your partnership with MakerPlace by Michaels is a great way to foster that holiday magic and support small businesses.
JLH: I think people get really intimidated about holidays and think everything needs to be super expensive or have some big name attached to it. I feel like the more thoughtful you can be, the better. If you can give something handmade, even if you didn’t make it by hand yourself, there’s a thought behind that gift that can really feel special and great. 

E!: What makes handmade gifts so special in your eyes?
JLH: The great thing about a handmade gift is that it’s different every time compared to something that’s manufactured. It has a personal touch that really comes through. When you give a handmade gift, it feels special. 

E!: You made gifting even easier by curating a guide with handmade presents. 
JLH: If you're looking for thoughtful holiday gifts, a guide like this is a fantastic resource. Long before my partnership with them, I was already a fan of MakerPlace and the quality and intention behind their products.

Every item feels deeply personal, well-made, and filled with care. Supporting small businesses brings joy to the makers and their families and lets you share a truly unique gift with your loved ones, something that stands apart from mass-produced items.

E!: What would you say to someone who has trouble finding their holiday magic this season?
JLH: I truly hope that magic finds you this season, and it will if you're open to it. As cheesy as it sounds, the moment you shift into that mindset, it starts to find you. As we get older, especially in a world that feels so chaotic right now, those feelings can often get pushed aside. You can access them, grab them, and let them surround you whenever you want. You just have to believe in it and look for it, and it will find you.

Jennifer’s movie The Holiday Junkie premieres on Lifetime on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 8 PM ET/PT.

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