Ellie Kemper may be best known for her roles in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “The Office” and “Bridesmaids,” but she’s also a mom of two — which means that she’s all too familiar with the struggles of holiday shopping for the family.
And for any moms hoping to minimize shopping-related stress this year, she has one big tip (though it’s something she says she’s still working on herself): “Get ahead of it.”
“Maybe that doesn’t work for everyone, but for me, I think it would work better if I got my shopping done before December 24,” the actress tells us with a laugh.
While moms often end up with the hard task of shopping for the kids, the family has a different job: Answering the question of what Mom actually wants. And when it comes to the best gift that you can give to Mom, Kemper has a simple answer.
“I know that this sounds too obvious, but I really do think a pair of pajamas and a pair of slippers is the best gift, because you don’t often buy that for yourself,” Kemper says. “I’ve been the recipient — not to brag — of pajamas and slippers, and they’re the best gift because you want them. You can never have too many of either of them. They’re cozy, they’re nice, they make you feel special.”
Kemper has become somewhat of an unofficial holiday shopping spokesperson, thanks to her role as the lovable and encouraging “Kohl’s Mom” in the retailer’s marketing campaigns.
“I love Kohl’s, I love shopping there and I am a mom, so all of these things come together beautifully,” she says on the ongoing partnership. “This is my second holiday season as Kohl’s Mom, and it is so much fun all of the time, but particularly this time of year where things are magic and sparkly, and there’s all that special energy to the season, which makes me happy.”
Once we found out what was on her personal wishlist for the holiday, we had to ask her to revisit two of her most beloved characters — Kimmy from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and Erin from “The Office” — to hear what she thinks might be on their lists.
“Erin would probably [want] something for a hobby, maybe a mixer, something to bake cookies with or, I’m thinking for some reason, sewing, maybe she has taken up sewing. And then for Kimmy ... something to relax. Maybe she could use a pair of pajamas; she’s had a hard life. Maybe a weighted blanket.”
Below, Kemper walked us through some of her current favorite products, from the gift that gets the most use in her home to the products she always keeps with her in her bag.
Shopping Diaries: Ellie Kemper
Her favorite gift to give holiday hosts:
For holiday hosts, Kemper says that a faux floral arrangement is her go-to gift. “It’s a nice gift that the host can use year-round, because it’s going to last. And there are some really, really beautiful ones that you can’t tell if they’re real or not.”
The gift that gets the most use in her home:
“The Ninja Creami is a gift that we got ourselves for Christmas last year and making ice cream in that is so much fun,” says Kemper. “It’s delicious ice cream; it’s satisfying. And it’s become sort of a tradition around my house now, for the past year anyway, that we make peppermint ice cream.”
Her go-to gift when she’s not sure what to get someone:
“I‘m very into cozy ... I think like a nice pillow, a nice cozy throw, a blanket, those are always well received because, again, like pajamas and the slippers, you really can’t have too many.”
Her other go-to gift? “A beautiful, yummy smelling candle.” She adds that this one is her favorite. “I love all the cinnamon, vanilla, maple scented candles. I have one that I haven’t lit yet. I keep it in the cabinet and whenever I open the cabinet to get something, I just [inhale]. It’s so good.”
The must-haves she always keeps in her bag:
While Kemper says a bag of floss picks is “not the most glamorous” thing to keep in your bag, but it comes in handy. “People get food caught in their teeth all the time. I am the prime offender. Spinach, almonds, pieces of chocolate — get out! Use this.”
“I have two boys, but I won’t even blame it on them. I need a Wet One all the time.” She adds, “You just want to wipe your hands off, want to wipe your face off, want to wipe your feet off if they’re dirty,” these are her perfect solution.
According to the brand, they’re tough on germs but gentle on skin and are hypoallergenic.
Kemper always keeps a single-serve bag of almonds with her for those moments when hunger strikes. “They’ve got protein, they’re a quick little snack on the go,” she shares.
You never know when you’ll need a tissue — especially this time of the year. And Kemper always comes prepared. “I get runny noses all the time. I don’t know if it’s allergies, I don’t know if I need to see a rheumatologist — I don’t know the doctor for colds — but I always have Kleenex.”
“I’m not a germaphobe ... but listen, there are a lot of germs to be afraid of. So I always have Purell to kill those nasty germs.”
According to the brand, this formula contains aloe and vitamin E to help keep your hands from drying out.
Her daily on-the-go beauty staples:
“I live in Los Angeles, and it’s really dry there,” Kemper says. “I always need hand cream to moisturize. Especially during those cold winter months, wherever you may be, your hands may get cracked. Salt & Stone Hand Cream is something I always carry in my bag.”
“You can tell just by looking at me: I’m fair, I’m pale, I need sunscreen. I love this EltaMD sunscreen because it keeps me from getting sunburned. It’s also really light and smells really good. I wear this every day, all day and I reapply it throughout the day.
Her favorite accessories:
“I love a wallet — I know that’s a controversial thing to say — but I love a wallet.”
And her current favorite has everything you could want from a wallet, including plenty of card slots and an exterior zip pocket.
Editor’s notes: Her selected pair, the Simply Vera Vera Wang Rhett Sunglasses are currently out of stock, but you can shop this similar pair.
“My future is bright, so therefore I have to wear shades,” Kemper says. And these oversized sunnies from Kohl’s are her top pick. “I love them,” she says of the accessory.
