Jeremiah Brent isn’t just a “big” shopper. “It’s a national sport for me,” says the interior designer and newest Queer Eye cast member. He takes it so seriously that he put together a gift guide with Klarna, an AI-powered global payments network that offers a shopping assistant and a search-and-compare feature, that is not only super-personal—it’s themed around the five senses. “I’ve got everything from beautiful silver photo frames to vinyls. In our house, we’re obsessed with records and music, especially around the holidays,” he says. While the designer unearthed an Hermès teacup set that was nearly impossible to find elsewhere, loading people up with luxe stuff isn’t Brent’s gifting strategy. “I think what makes a gift feel really special isn’t the opulence. For me, it’s about personalization,” he shares. We caught up with Brent to hear more about his shopping plans and how he’s decorating for the holidays at home, ahead.
The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received (and Given!)
When we were having our daughter, there was this beautiful poem that Brené Brown wrote about failing greatly and parenting with an open heart; something that we hadn’t heard before. We got it as a gift in a beautiful silver frame, and it hung in both of our kids’ rooms. Now, whenever we have a friend who is expecting a child, we pay it forward. It’s kind of a staple for us.
My 2024 Christmas Tree Experiment
This year, we bought a 9-foot tree, and I’m going to weave different branches and berries around it for a more organic look. It’s either going to look like a disheveled bush or I’ll be Christmas Picasso. You never know.
How I Really Feel About Faux Greenery
The truth is, I am a big fan of faux plants, which I know is going to be very controversial. When they’re good, they’re great, and when they’re bad, they’re absolutely terrible. We’ve actually got more than one tree (don’t judge me), and one of them is faux, the other is real. I think the key is finding things that feel layered. There are some great garlands you can find that have eucalyptus woven in.
The Candle I Light Over the Holidays
One of my favorite candles right now is Mad et Len’s Nightsouk. I also love a company called Snif. I like to light different candles during different times of the day. In the morning, we have something more woodsy, and then at night, I go a little bit lighter. As cliché as it sounds, pine makes me so happy. I’m not a sugar- cookie candle kind of gal.
How I Make Gifts More Personal
Look around and take stock of the people in your life and make [your gift] as personal as possible. Say, if we’ve got a friend who just moved, I’ll make them a new home-survival kit with some sage and palo santo and music. One year, I made my friend’s mother a box with a mug, the best coffee I could find, and a candle that reminded me of the things she’d bake.
My Secret to a Stress-Free Holiday Party
Embrace the imperfections. Don’t worry about that table setting you saw on Instagram. Put things out that remind the people there that you care about them. One time, I took Polaroids of everybody as they were arriving, asking them to make a silly face, and then that became their place card.
