It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas at QVC.
While the weather outside may require swimsuits instead of holiday sweaters, the end of June means something festive is coming to the shopping network.
“In traditional retail, Christmas in July was a clearance idea,” QVC program host Rick Domeier exclusively shared with Us Weekly. “This didn’t sell during Christmas so how do we move some of the merchandise in the summer. QVC took that in a completely different direction, and our North Pole ambassadors and our elves said, ‘No, let’s make this the most enchanting, most inviting event for our viewers that we can possibly do.’”
Beginning Saturday, June 21, QVC will broadcast several Countdown to Christmas shows before Christmas in July officially launches next month.
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The annual shopping event has proven to be a hit with vendors, hosts and viewers alike.
“It’s the escape everybody needs from this crazy world that they didn’t know they needed until they watch one time and they’re hooked and they can’t stop shopping,” host Shawn Killinger told Us. “Every retailer hops on the bandwagon every summer season, and nobody does it like we do it.”
Before the Christmas trees fill the sets of QVC and eggnog is sipped during gourmet holiday shows, Domeier and Killinger gave Us an exclusive preview of what’s to come. Get your shopping lists ready because great gifts are already here.
Holiday Food
For many shoppers, Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners aren’t complete without some grub from QVC.
Just like in years past, the shopping network will offer desserts, wine, entrees and more surprises for hungry customers.
“For food, if chocolate is your love language, you’re going to live happily ever after,” Domeier teased. “Things are going to be just great because we have Lindt chocolates and Mrs. Prindables Apples and the Junior’s cheesecakes.
Killinger added, “How about holiday cake balls? You know cake pops, but it’s cumbersome to ship them with the stick. So this brand, Maryellen’s, just made cake balls, and they look like giant edible chocolate-coated snowballs. And how about a truffle chocolate advent calendar? It’s coming.”
Holiday Decor
This holiday season, QVC is teasing new decorations and innovations that could transform your Christmas tree.
“Bethlehem Lights is one of our brands that we bring in and you have the green Christmas tree and then you have the flocked tree,” Domeier explained. “What happens with some of the flocking on a flocked tree? When you push it or when you store it, the flocking falls off. They’ve reinvented the flocking of a Christmas tree. They’ve reinvented the way the lights move on a Christmas tree.”
Killinger said she was able to attend a preview of what products were coming in July. She was blown away by what QVC’s biggest stars had up their sleeves.
“Dee Hilfiger’s collection looks like the third floor of Neiman Marcus,” she teased. “The 2.0 version of last year’s Elton John candles, including my Making Spirits Spice scent, is coming your way in a 20-ounce jumbo oil diffuser. Mackenzie-Childs never does anything discounted or a value bundle. They’ve got a set of two checkered reindeer. Oh, and Mally Roncal has giant flocked nutcrackers.”
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QVC’s home expert and decor designer Valerie Parr Hill will have several shows with new items. According to Domeier, one of her new items will have Val Pals running to the phones.
“One of the Valerie globes that she has is going to blow people away,” he shared. “People who have loved and been enchanted by her world for years and may think, ‘You know what, I’m good. I don’t need another piece,’ they’re going to say, ‘Maybe I do. Maybe I do.’”
Holiday Shows
Similar to Christmas past, Killinger will host Shawn Saves Christmas while Domeier will be part of Rick St. Nick.
“This year, Shawn Saves Christmas will be epically better, an unhinged symphony of Christmas spirit,” Killinger said. “There will be elfing around. There will be bad Christmas caroling. There will be reindeer on the run. There will be Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s going to be amazing.”
As for Domeier’s show, he’s hoping to celebrate past holiday memories with footage of his kids enjoying Christmas before they became young adults.
“It’s a mix of old and new. That’s what it’s about, and that’s what Christmas is about,” he said. “I think our viewers love that. It’s moving, and it’s really wonderful and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
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And yes, Killinger and Domeier may just find themselves hosting some Christmas shows together this summer.
“When we’re live and we’re unscripted, you can’t fake chemistry. It’s just absolutely impossible, and I have chemistry with this person,” Domeier said. “I adore her, and I have respect for her too, because she changed the game at QVC.”
Shawn Saves Christmas returns to QVC Saturday, June 21, at 10 p.m. ET before Christmas in July kicks off Sunday, June 22, at 12 a.m. ET.
