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Lavish vacations on Lake Como or the south shore of Kauai aren't enough. During his 25 years in business, Rush Farley, founder of marketing firm Distinctive Assets and designer of the world's most elaborate gift bags, has fantasized about giving even more gifts to Hollywood royalty on Oscar night. “I always wanted to give them a car, although I lost out to Oprah,” Farley says, recalling the film's landmark episode. oprah winfrey show The host will be giving away Pontiac G-6 sedans to the audience. Specifically, he envisions giving away an electric car on a one-year lease (which would be an improvement over his three-month traditional car lease certificate the company has offered in the past). he thinks it's a thing). “Instead of using a suitcase, I'd pack the presents in the car and have them drive,” he says of his fantasy gift “bag” for Oscar nominees. Can you really do it?
Mr. Farley has not yet been able to give this blockbuster gift. They are currently negotiating with several electric vehicle companies, and may be able to sign a one-year lease in the next few years. However, the prizes they negotiated to give away to this year's 26 Oscar nominees aren't technically dog food (though this year's nominations do include actual dog food).
Items worth a total of six figures include Potenza microneedling with radiofrequency therapy (to achieve radiant-from-within skin through simple hydration), complementary project management services from Maison Contractors (a Los Angeles company that specializes in luxury custom home renovations), a private sound bath with healer Kate Schofield, an $1,800 wine fridge, and plenty of rest and relaxation, including three nights of exclusive private use of the facilities (and staff) at Chalet Zermatt Peak in Switzerland for your group of 10, a seven-day wellness retreat at Southern California's famed Golden Door, and a three-night stay for two in a luxury villa at St. Barthélemy Paradise in St. Barts.
Typically, only two gift bag recipients take advantage of these instant holidays to get cash in a given year, Farley said. two! Last year, Stephanie Hsu made sure to make the most of her luxurious stay in a renovated lighthouse in Faro Punta Imperatore on the Bay of Naples in Italy, and the last time Mark Ruffalo was nominated, he and his wife I chose to stay. At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy.
Want to find out who in Hollywood can't pass up a free vacation? Just check the social media feeds of Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel and this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Actor, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Supporting Actor (including Ruffalo), Best Actress and Best Director, all of whom are receiving $170,000 in “Everyone Wins” gift bags (far less than the five-figure Grammy gift bags Farley produced).
Though this (or any other gift bag) isn't officially connected to the Academy (it hasn't been since the 2017 lawsuit over the matter), celebs are still excited to receive the merchandise, Farley says. The distribution of the bags certainly evokes a publishers' clearinghouse vibe. “Rachel McAdams happened to be meeting with her manager when her bags were dropped off,” he says. “She stuck her head out [from out of the meeting] Farley said that Best Director nominee Barry Jenkins had a similar reaction when an “Everyone Wins” bag arrived at his home. Sandra Haller, this year's Best Actress nominee, also requested one be shipped to her home in Germany. So plans to deliver the gift in a leased car might be put on hold after all.
Below are some of the easy-to-carry items included in this year's gift bags for selected nominees.
Antigua Cruz Anejo Cristalino Tequila
You don't need tissues to celebrate a victory or console a loss with tequila. This premium tequila is made with 100% blue agave, aged for 36 months and twice distilled in stainless steel tanks, giving it a bright, clean flavor that's suitable for slow drinking.
Buy Antigua Cruz Añejo Cristalino Tequila for $50 at Old Town Tequila
V-dog Vegan Kibble Dry Dog Food (24 lbs)
One of the most used gift certificates to date is the Distinctive Assets gift bags given to Oscar nominees to donate meals to animal shelters. This year, the company is revisiting one of its biggest hits: 10,000 meal certificates donated in the candidate's name to PETA's Global Compassion Fund. This vegan dog food brand's dog food is also free of corn, soy, and wheat, which veterinarians recommend for dogs with sensitive stomachs or skin allergies.
Buy V-dog Vegan Kibble Dry Dog Food (24 lbs) on Amazon, $90
Edible Popcorn Top Shelf Trio Luxe Popcorn Gift Box
Premium popcorn is a natural fit for celebrity gift bags. After all, popcorn and movies have been linked ever since movie theaters began selling the snack during the Great Depression. But this isn't your standard movie theater compromise. With flavors like Caramel with Scotch and White Chocolate Kettle Corn with Champagne, these snack packs are perfect for special occasions.
Buy the Eatable Popcorn Top Shelf Trio Luxe Popcorn Gift Box for $35 at Eatable
Jumby
A combination of boxer shorts, briefs, and basketball shorts (with pockets!), these unisex bottoms are made from 95% ultra-soft modal fabric for maximum comfort.
Buy Jambys at Jambys, $38
Kenra Professional Platinum Blow Dry Spray
A heat shielding spray that cuts dryer time in half? Gramming on the go just got easier.
Buy Kenra Professional Platinum Blow-Dry Spray at Ulta ($42)
Schwank Portable Infrared Grill (Propane)
This is cooking technology made in paleo heaven. Using heating technology found in some of the most famous steakhouses in the country (Morton's The Steakhouse, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, The Palm, etc.), this portable infrared steak grill heats food evenly up to 1500°F (more than twice the heat generated by a traditional grill). This triggers a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars, resulting in more robust flavors without drying out the food. Plus, the grill doubles as an outdoor pizza oven, whipping up pies on par with those served at this year's Vanity Fair Oscar Party in just five minutes.
Buy Schwank Portable Infrared Grill (Propane) on Amazon, $1250
Hey Dude Scirocco Sneakers
This company makes no-tie sneakers that are feather-light, super cushioned, and perfect for quick throws on during your morning walk with your dog.
Buy the Hey Dude Sirocco Sneakers for $75 at Hey Dude
Overnight duffel bag
Gift bag recipients will be among the first to receive this luxurious vegan leather duffel, available by pre-order only.
Buy Overnight Travel Bag Duffle at Overnight, $250
Rubik's Cube Special Retro 50th Anniversary Edition
When you look at a Rubik's Cube, it may seem like a tricky toy at first glance (if not the original waste of time). However, its inventor, Professor Ern Rubik, considered his creation to be a work of art. This reissue, which follows the original logo, colorway and packaging, celebrates the toy he first envisioned exactly 50 years ago.
Buy Rubik's Cube Special Retro 50th Anniversary Edition on Amazon, $13
Gin Bothy Gin
Never mind James Bond: some of the most discerning drinkers are Hollywood actors who insist on everything being “clean.” Produced by a female distiller in the valleys of northeast Scotland, this small-batch, handcrafted gin is all-natural, sugar-free and infused with gorgeous notes of Scottish herbs (heather, milk thistle, pine needles, hawthorn root, rosemary, etc.).
Purchase Gin Bothy Gin at Total Wine, $45
Bored Rebel Super Nice V-Neck T-Shirt
With super-soft, moisture-wicking fabric and a comfortable tagless design that stays tucked into your trousers and out of the way of your collar, this tee is made to be worn under a dress shirt and checks all the boxes. But it also offers something a little unexpected: a graphic design placed right where the buttons of a dress shirt meet, and some Incognito-style flex that won't show through when worn under a suit.
Buy Bored Rebel Super Nice V-Neck T-Shirt on Amazon, $59
Fetcha Chocolate Dark Chocolate Bar
Pink heart filled with movie-inspired white chocolate ganache Barbie. Dark chocolate chili ganache with plenty of pop rocks. oppenheimerThe chocolates in this gift bag were made just for the movie. But even without these limited editions, this Scottish chocolate shop is Hollywood's number one. The treats are vegan and wrapped in plastic-free packaging.
Buy Fetcha Chocolates Dark Chocolate Bars at Fetcha Chocolate, $4
More from SCOUTED:
How to eat like an A-lister at Vanity Fair's Oscar party
At $36,000, this year's Grammys gift bag is the most extravagant ever
Should you turn off cable TV?How to watch the 96th Academy Awards without cable
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