‘Queer Eye’ Star Tan France on His Go-To Holiday Gifts, from Fashion to Tech

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.

As Queer Eye’s resident style expert, it’s no wonder that Tan France becomes a fashion consultant during the holidays.

“I get asked about gifts every year,” the 39-year-old Was Him designer tells The Hollywood Reporter. That’s why he’s teaming again with Klarna, the global retail platform that allows shoppers to split their purchases into interest-free payments, receive price drop alerts, find top-rated gifts, track pricing history for products and more.

Related: Lego Debuts Queer Eye Fab Five Loft Building Set

Partnering with the company “made sense. I love what they do and what they offer, and it’s easy to navigate the platform,” he says. To simplify gift shopping, Tan curated his top picks for every type of recipient into a holiday gift list, which ranges from a $30 beauty stocking stuffer to a luxe Balenciaga bag.

Naturally, we had to pick France’s brain for more expert-approved ideas for even the most hard-to-shop-for recipients. The stylish Emmy-winning Fab Five member (and bonafide Lego icon) caught up with THR to answer our burning gifting questions, from whether gift cards can be done right to the best present he’s received recently.

Thoughts on gift cards: Yay or nay?

You know, if it’s fashion-based, [a gift card] is truly what I recommend. Many will disagree and many will say it’s impersonal. Let’s say for example your favorite store was J. Crew. Even if I was a good friend or family member, I don’t exactly always like what you like from there. But if I know you really like one store in particular, I would get it as a gift card. I know you well enough to get that, but I want you to have the freedom to choose what you get. Or you might end up returning. I want you to love the thing you get. I think it’s the most respectful way to do gift cards.

I know many people ask for experiences instead of tangible gifts. Do you prefer to do that during the holidays?

Here’s the thing: in my opinion, even my husband —who I’ve been with for 14 and half years — I don’t know exactly what he’s going to like. I think experiences are great in certain situations. When it comes to the holiday, I like a gift. I want something to unwrap, and that’s what everyone expects.

It’s other experiences — a birthday, Valentine’s, an anniversary — I do not care for gifts on those points. I don’t need my husband to buy me anything. Take me somewhere — let’s go get brunch at my favorite restaurant, or go to a theme park. But when it comes to the holidays, it’s not necessarily because I’m really into Christmas — I love a stocking — it’s a really jolly holiday, and there’s something about opening a gift.

What does your holiday season look like this year?

I consider from Thanksgiving to New Years the holidays. For Thanksgiving, I cooked everything for everyone! I’ve been doing that for 13 years for everyone, so we’ll have a feast. There’s usually 7 or 8, or 12 or 13 of us. Then we do basically the same thing on New Years, but I just change up the baked items.

We heard your holiday decor goes up well before December.

I’m very much Muslim, but every year we change up the colors on the Christmas tree slightly. Last year was red and gold, the year before was turquoise.

You recently became a parent! Are you and your husband celebrating the holidays differently now that you have your son?

Not yet because he’s so young. He’ll be one and a half, so he won’t really know. We do read to him every night. When people as what they can get for him, we always say a book. He loves a good book.

What’s his favorite book right now?

This is so obvious, but it’s Goodnight Moon. He scratches at it; he loves “catching” at the mice!

We love everything you curated for your Klarna gift guide. What are you hoping to unwrap this year?

Actually, on my Klarna gift guide there’s one thing that’s actually on there for me. I included it on purpose. I always buy myself a gift — I like things! Mine is this Balenciaga bag. If it wasn’t that, it would be a different bag, like a little Jacquemus bag. I’ve got really fidgety hands so I already need to hold things!

How about tech gifts? Do you have a foolproof go-to?

My family is very tech-y, but I can barely figure out how to use my laptop. My failsafe is one of those little consoles, the Nintendo Switch. I have no idea what it is or how it works, I just know that the kids are obsessed with them.

Let’s talk festive fashion! What are your style recommendations? Are sequins and sparkles overdone for the holidays?

This may possibly surprise you, but I really enjoy the tradition of sparkles. I do! I say lean in, during the holidays you don’t want to be that curmudgeon who says, “I’m going to wear a T-shirt and jeans.” Everyone knows what it is: it’s campy, it’s playful, it’s meant to be a lark. Wear that velvet, wear that lurex. Wear those sparkles. Glam it up!

Is that the approach you take with fashion?

I rarely am, [except] when I’m on TV or I’m on a carpet. I’m actually quite simple in my regular life. I’m a regular Christmas sweater wearer.

Speaking of fashion, we love your luxury gift picks. For those without the budget to gift Gucci, do you have recommendations for fashion stocking stuffers or accessories?

As far as fashion accessories, I always like a jewelry moment for a friend. You don’t need to go big on a bag or shoes. If you can and you know them well, but you want to keep it simple and delicate and unexpected for a friend, I think jewelry is a lovely to give. It can be costume [jewelry], something not expensive and unique. For instance, this ring [I’m wearing] is $15, I found it on a street vendor in New York. 

What’s been the best gift that you’ve been given recently?

Easy, Antoni Porowski gave me arguably the most thoughtful gift. It was a necklace for when my son was born. He had engraved in it his initials and the day he was born, and I wear it so often and almost every public appearance.

Related: The Best Personalized Gifts for Everyone On Your List

Keep reading below for France’s holiday gift guide for Klarna.