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Alison Brie has a new holiday role as a walking, talking Christmas gift guide for Macy's.
The self-styled last minute buyer tells it The Hollywood journalist that becoming the face of the major retailer's holiday 2024 advertising campaign “was really natural. I bought some of my first makeup in the beauty department,” says Brie. “I love going into the store, it's cohesive; it's a one-stop shop and that's very helpful for me. I don't have to travel all over Los Angeles to be able to get something for everyone.
The actress who grew up in Los Angeles and currently stars on Apple TV Apples never fall — remembers visiting the historic Macy's store on Lake Avenue in Pasadena “in high school buying CK One by Calvin Klein with my boyfriend with my own money.”
Among your main responsibilities for Macy's? “I'm taking my whole family to New York to cut the ribbon and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person,” says Brie. “I love the show, it's iconic. It's really because I'm really great Peanuts fan, so I'm always looking for the Snoopy balloon.”
Embodying a savvy donor for the retailer's campaign was easier said than done, Brie says. “Now I start thinking about Christmas shopping, then I procrastinate,” he jokes. “I think it's hard to be creative because my parents ask for the same thing every year and I always buy that sweater and that button-down shirt and they can't think of anything else, so it's nice to have something like a gift guide [for new ideas].”
He continues: “Another interesting thing about the campaign is thinking about what the gifts we receive for people say to those people. Because gifts are really how we show affection, they say how well we know it [our loved ones]. The joy of giving gifts to people: There's nothing better than nailing it and giving people a gift they really love.
Brie adds that her favorite gifts include Hugo Boss cologne for her dad and sparkling jewelry for her mom. Other crowd-pleasing items include sleep masks and silk pillowcases, “or some kind of Ugg, there's always a new Ugg!”
The Macy's Holiday Guide includes gifts for a variety of recipients and budgets, as well as stylish picks for all your winter soirees. “Part of this campaign also addresses how the gift guide can help people with things for themselves. The holiday season is busy: you're planning Christmas parties, you're attending them. I like that this campaign looks at all angles,” he adds.
“Lately, I've been wanting to give my mom collagen-boosting things or a cool face mask, because it's fun to buy people things they wouldn't buy for themselves.” This includes luxury skincare tools: “I love a microcurrent and nanocurrent device. I love ZIIP, but there are many versions of it, like NuFace. Jillian Dempsey's Vibrant Gold Bar: Aren't We All Interested in Lymphatic Drainage?
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Some of the favorite gifts you've received? “In middle school, my favorite gift I ever received was a lava lamp that was the '90s trying to be the '70s.”
The 41 year old Incandescence The star will play the evil witch Evil-Lyn alongside Nicholas Galitzine's He-Man in the upcoming film Masters of the Universewhich will be released in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026. “Actors always say that the bad guys have the most fun, and that's probably true,” says Brie. “I've played morally compromised people, but not a really delightfully sinister evil villain. I tried to manifest by playing a villain in a superhero movie and [this is] answering that call for me.
He continues: “I read the script and I think it's really smart. He has a really great take on He-Man and Nick Galitzine is really talented. These are the reasons why I said yes.”
Of the original 1980s animated series, “I definitely remember it being on, and I went back and started watching it again. It's a lot more fun than I remember. Evil-Lyn and Skeletor have a contentious relationship,” which she is excited to explore on screen, she says.
Macy's will unveil the schedule for its annual Thanksgiving parade on November 1. The float-filled festivities will be held Nov. 28 in New York and will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock. “I have no information, but I trust Macy's will put on a good show.”
As for what's on his list this year. “Every year I ask for really soft, fuzzy socks. I could never get enough of it,” he explains.
Shop some of Brie's gifts below and check out Macy's full holiday guide here. (It's worth noting that the retailer's Friends & Family sale includes up to 30% off select items through November 4 with code FRIEND, among other offers.)