We know what we want this year (a Brangelina wedding) and what we’re giving (something cheap and tacky). All jokes aside, Q wondered what certain well-known citizens have on their holiday shopping lists. Here’s what they told us:
When not playing T-Bag on Joliet-filmed “Prison Break,” actor Robert Knepper, who attended Northwestern University, shared several gift ideas:
“For my boy (who’s 3) . . . I’d like to give him a lifetime supply of fruit-flavored licorice.”
“For my sister, a cure for MS and a private Elton John concert.”
Of course, Fox execs are likely hoping Santa will deliver his next request:
“I’d like `Prison Break’ to win the Emmy for best drama,” says Knepper.
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, chef Emeril Lagasse, recently in Chicago to sign copies of his book at Marshall Field’s, just wants to go home for the holidays. “This year, my biggest wish is to be home in New Orleans together with my family and friends because that is where my heart is,” he says.
And instead of picking up gifts at the mall, Lagasse is planning to keep his presents per-sonal. “I plan to keep it simple, sharing what I call `food of love’–cooking in the kitchen, enjoying time with my children and catching up with the people I love.”
Although Holly Hunt’s wish is tough to stuff in a stocking, it’s a gift many would appreciate:
“Hugs, love and affirmation–we are all in this together in one spirit,” says Hunt, national tastemaker and CEO/owner of Holly Hunt, a Chicago-based furniture/design firm.
Christopher Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., has his holiday list all figured out:
“I want Scott Turow’s new book ‘Ordinary Heroes’ and I want the DVD of Harold Ramis’ new movie `The Ice Harvest.’ For [wife] Sheila, I’m going to get her Wilco’s new CD `Kicking TV [Television]: Live in Chicago.’ And for my children, I want my cousin Caroline’s new book ‘A Family of Poems (My Favorite Poetry for Children),'” says Kennedy.
Beth Finke, blind Chicago author of the memoir “Long Time No See,” loves to receive smelly soap and lotion. “I can’t get enough,” she says. “I haven’t zeroed in on a favorite scent or brand–I like to wear different perfumes and use different lotions for different occasions. I have also been given soaps that were homemade–very nice.”
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Finke, who has appeared as a commentator on NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “Eight Forty-Eight,” also would like black leather gloves, wool White Sox ball cap and unusual brands of coffee beans–“I like mine strong.”
However, Finke adds: “To be honest, the thing I like about Christmas gifts is that people give me things I’ve never heard of or known about.”