Gift Expert Michelle Madhok Shares Ideas and Tips for Holiday Shopping This Season at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tis the season to become the ultimate "gifter!" T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods have enlisted the help of gift expert Michelle Madhok, founder of SheFinds.com,  to provide solutions for holiday shoppers with brand name and designer gifts from all three stores. With thousands of new items arriving in every store each week, shoppers are sure to find standout gifts for everyone on their lists.

"I do all of my holiday shopping at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods because I know I can find unique, high-quality gifts that my friends and family will love at incredible prices," says Michelle Madhok, national gifting expert and founder of SheFinds.com. "They are my go-to stores because I can always find this season's most coveted gifts - the same high-quality pieces in department and specialty stores right now - but for a fraction of the cost."

This season, T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods will help holiday shoppers identify quality gifts from all three stores to address the most common gift-giving dilemmas – ranging from gift ideas for the hard to shop for, what to get the holiday hostess, gifts for under $20, last minute gifts and more.

Here are Michelle's top holiday shopping tips and picks from T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods:

• Gifts Ideas for the Hard to Shop For: Everyone has at least one person on their holiday shopping list that is hard to shop for – whether it's the fashionable friend who has everything or relatives you only see a few times a year. Michelle recommends thinking about what they're passionate about to expand your gifting horizons. "You can't go wrong with a high-end Italian leather handbag for your fashion plate BFF – you can find great options at unbelievable prices at Marshalls.  If she loves to accessorize, T.J.Maxx has fabulous fine jewelry and statement pieces. For a personal touch, HomeGoods has unique gifts from around the world such as European ceramics and hand-crafted decorative boxes from India. When my friends give me a personal gift, I love it because I feel they really know me. "
• Hostess Gifts: It's easy to bring something for the hostess that she can use at the party, such as flowers or wine, but no one thinks about the post-gathering aftermath. To truly stand out, Michelle suggests bringing a gourmet gift basket to enjoy after a busy night of entertaining.  "You can find incredible pre-made gourmet baskets at HomeGoods with all of the ingredients for a delicious meal as well as amazing copper pots, cookbooks,  imported pastas and olive oil to create your own basket. It's an easy and no-fuss way to have a cozy night in after hosting a soiree. Or consider giving wine accessories like high-end chillers and decorated cheese sets from Marshalls, or stylish sets of stainless steel barware and cocktail shakers with leather trim from T.J.Maxx. Not only will you be the life of the party, but the hostess will remember you every time she uses the pieces again to entertain."
• Stocking Stuffers: "Stocking stuffers don't have to be boring," Michelle says. "T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods all offer unique gifts that can make perfect stocking stuffers for anyone on your list." Surprising gifts to fill holiday stockings range from designer fragrances found at T.J.Maxx, tech accessories for gadget lovers like Bluetooth speakers at Marshalls, to European Chocolates from around the world at incredible prices available at HomeGoods.
• Gifts for Under $20: All three stores have standout gifts for any budget, especially for kid's toys. Some gift ideas Michelle suggests to cultivate a child's imagination are classic and educational wooden toys and games from HomeGoods, a fun tablet case from T.J.Maxx for when they're playing educational games, or nail polish sets from Marshalls for older girls to showcase their style.
• Best Last-Minute Gifts: Michelle keeps a few thoughtful items on hand, because you never know when you'll need a quick Secret Santa gift, or when you'll receive an unexpected present from a friend who you hadn't shopped for. Cashmere gloves, socks and scarves from T.J.Maxx are luxurious gift ideas that can be used for many situations that pop up – and they'll be none the wiser.  A wide range of gifts for "him" are available at Marshalls including functional favorites like grooming kits to music inspired gifts. You can also find bone inlay pictures frames and mercury glass candle holders at HomeGoods, which are appreciated as gifts for the home during the holidays, but also last throughout the year.  And all of these gifts are available at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods for unbelievable prices!

Visit facebook.com/Marshalls, facebook.com/TJMaxx or facebook.com/Homegoods, and follow all three stores on Twitter at @tjmaxx, @marshalls and @homegoods for more holiday gifting tips and inspiration. Check out #TheGifter to participate in weekly holiday shopping missions and see other shoppers' finds.

ABOUT T.J.MAXX
Since its first store opening in 1977, T.J.Maxx has helped customers maximize their budgets by offering the same on-trend, in season, first quality merchandise as department and specialty stores, but for much less.  When shoppers compare price tags they will find that T.J.Maxx offers value that goes beyond just a low price.  Every item on the rack offers consumers the combination of high quality, current season designer merchandise at unbelievable values. T.J.Maxx is the nation's largest off-price retailer, with more than 1,000 stores spanning 49 states and Puerto Rico.

ABOUT MARSHALLS
Since opening its first store more than 40 years ago, the Marshalls name has become synonymous with off-price shopping.  Shoppers can find incredible savings on designer apparel for men, women and children, footwear, accessories and home merchandise, every day.  Marshalls is one of the nation's leading off-price family retailers with more than 980 stores spanning 43 states and Puerto Rico.

ABOUT HOMEGOODS
HomeGoods operates more than 430 stores across the country and is a division of The TJX Companies, Inc. The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The Company operates over 3,000 stores including T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and Sierra Trading Post stores as well as sierratradingpost.com in the United States, Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls in Canada, and T.K.Maxx and HomeSense in Europe.

CONTACT: 
Elyse Goldman
Edelman
Office: 212-704-8181
[email protected]

For more news and images, visit tjmaxx.com, marshallsonline.com and homegoods.com

SOURCE TJX Companies, Inc.