T.J.Maxx And Marshalls 'Answer The Call' For Inventive Holiday Gifts This Year With The Return Of The Holiday Gift Hotline

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Planning to buy your mom the same holiday gift as last year? Can't relate to your teenage niece and don't know what to gift her? You're stuck in a holiday gifting rut and need some gifting inspiration! According to a recent survey conducted by T.J.Maxx and Marshalls, the nation's leading off-price retailers, a staggering 49 percent of people are guilty of buying uninventive holiday gifts. To combat this, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls are bringing back the Holiday Gift Hotline, with seven knowledgeable experts across a variety of categories to provide shoppers with a variety of gift ideas to help give the gifts people really want to receive.

The Holiday Gift Hotline will return December 4^th through December 7^th for shoppers to dial-up for creative and fun gifts that they'll actually want to give. Call 1-855-404-GIFT (4438) anytime between 1:00pm – 5:00pm EST on Thursday, December 4^th and 9:00am – 12:00pm EST Friday, December 5^th through Sunday, December 7^th, or tweet your gifting dilemmas using #holidayhotline.

T.J.Maxx and Marshalls identified five common groups of people found on everyone's gift list: parents, colleagues, men, teenagers and host/hostess and uncovered who really gets the short end of the creative stick when it comes to gifting. Parents (32 percent) receive the most uninventive holiday gifts and teenagers (29 percent) are the most difficult group to gift, and according to the survey, receiving an uninventive gift is likely because they don't know what to get them and can't relate to them (39 percent).

So, who better to receive gifting advice from than those that tend to be the toughest people on your holiday gift list? T.J.Maxx and Marshalls assembled a team of nationally recognized experts across these five groups. From parent experts Audrey McClelland (MomGenerations) and Vera Sweeney (Lady and the Blog) to teenage darling Meaghan Dowling, go-to style guy Yale Breslin, celebrity interior designer Courtney Cachet, workplace expert Adrian Granzella Larssen (The Muse) as well as style and gift expert Daisy Lewellyn, the team will be available to provide personalized gifting consultations to help shoppers find the perfect gifts for even the most challenging.

To help kick-off the hotline, Daphne Oz of ABC's hit talk show The Chew will be available to provide gift-seekers her take on gifting ideas. Shoppers will be able to call the hotline or tweet @DaphneOz using #holidayhotline on Thursday, December 4^th from 3:00pm – 5:00pm EST for a chance to receive gifting advice and inspiration directly from her. 

"I have a long list to gift throughout the holiday season, including my ever-expanding, close-knit family and colleagues at The Chew," said Oz. It's important to me that I get them gifts they'll actually want to receive, and that it's clear I put thought into each one. Even better if I can find options with great value and save myself some time! No matter who I'm shopping for, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have an incredible selection of my favorite brands, as well as unique items from around the world."

Daphne Oz's top gift picks from T.J.Maxx & Marshalls:

• Main Attraction – I met my now husband in college and we love to travel and explore together. When looking for holiday gifts for him, I opt for items that fit into our on-the-go lifestyle, like a gorgeous Italian leather duffel bag and a classic matching dopp kit.  
• Oh Baby – This is the first holiday season with my daughter Philomena and I can't wait to spoil her! From soft cashmere knit sleepers to adorable boxed book sets, these are the perfect gifts for a new little bundle of joy. 
• Go Go Grandpa – My father is always taking up new activities and we love to spend time outdoors as a family. I'm opting for a unique gift this year like a kayak to help him have fun keeping fit, especially now that he's a grandpa!
• Mama Mia – There's nothing like preparing a big family meal at home with my mom. She loves to cook and entertain for all sorts of occasions. Great options for the hostess in her include a champagne bucket, a crystal centerpiece, rustic wooden coasters or a unique cheese board.
• The Natural Food Chef – For anyone who has a total love of food and loves to eat well (all my colleagues from The Chew!), opt for matching serving sets, French copper pots (love these!) or even gourmet gift baskets full of delicious finds like European chocolates, olive/truffle oils and fancy vinegars. 

More About The Hotline:

Hotline operators will be available during the below schedule to provide gifting advice by calling 1-855-404-GIFT (4438) or tweeting to their dedicated handles using #holidayhotline:

Thursday, December 4^th from 1:00pm EST – 5:00pm EST:

• All operators available to address gifting needs

Friday, December 5^th from 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST:

• Workplace Guru, Adrian Granzella Larssen (@adriangranzella)
• Go-To Style Guy, Yale Breslin (@yalebreslin)
• Style and Gift Expert, Daisy Lewellyn (@daisylewellyn)

Saturday, December 6^th from 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST:

• Parent Experts, Audrey McClelland (@audreymcclellan) and Vera Sweeney (@verasweeney)
• Teenage Expert, Meaghan Dowling (@teenthings)
• Style and Gift Expert, Daisy Lewellyn (@daisylewellyn)

Sunday, December 7^th from 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST:

• Celebrity Designer, Courtney Cachet (@cachetlifestyle)
• Style and Gift Expert, Daisy Lewellyn (@daisylewellyn)

For additional holiday shopping tips, style alerts and more, visit us at facebook.com/tjmaxx and facebook.com/marshalls, or on Twitter at @tjmaxx and @marshalls. For more fashion news and images, visit the newsroom at media.marshallstjmaxx.com.

Starting Friday, November 28^th through December 24^th, all stores will have extended hours for customers' convenience, and will be receiving several shipments each week to provide shoppers with a huge selection of gifts they will want to give, and their recipients will be excited to receive.

ABOUT THE SURVEY
Edelman Berland conducted an omnibus among a nationally representative sample of adults from October 27^th to October 28^th, 2014. The study surveyed 1,000 adults, 18 years of age and older.

ABOUT MARSHALLS
Since opening its first store more than 40 years ago, the Marshalls name has become synonymous with off-price shopping. Customers can find incredible savings on men's, women's and children's clothing, footwear, accessories and home merchandise, every day. Marshalls is one of the nation's leading off-price family retailers with more than 960 stores spanning 48 states and Puerto Rico.

ABOUT T.J.MAXX 

 
Since its first store opening in 1977, T.J.Maxx has helped customers maximize their budgets by delivering great value on ever changing selections of brand name apparel and accessories for the entire family and home at amazing prices, every day. T.J.Maxx is the nation's largest off-price retailer, with more than 1,000 stores spanning 49 states and Puerto Rico. Customers can also always shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week at tjmaxx.com.

CONTACT:  
Mara Hershkowitz
Edelman
Office: 212.642.7756
[email protected]

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SOURCE The TJX Companies, Inc.