While the Oscars are Hollywood’s biggest night, where the best in film are recognized for their craft, there’s another highly anticipated prize beyond the golden statue: the extravagant Oscars gift bag.
As A-list celebrities arrive at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 97th Annual Academy Awards, the spotlight isn’t just on the nominees, their couture gowns, or even the historic wins that could unfold — it’s also on the exclusive and wildly expensive “Everyone Wins” nominee gift bag.
Curated by LA-based marketing company Distinctive Assets, this year’s gift bag is rumored to be worth over $200,000, per Buzzfeed, packed with everything from lavish vacations to wellness products and even disaster relief services.
While only nominees in the acting and directing categories receive these luxurious swag bags, the sheer scale of their contents has made them a talking point year after year.
“While our gifts may be famous for being fun and fabulous, they also serve as a means to elevate small businesses, minority-owned brands, female entrepreneurs, and companies that give back,” said Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets. “This year, on the heels of the historically tragic LA fires, we have found even more ways that our celebrity swag can do good in our community.”
The Ultra-Luxury Experiences: Five-Star Retreats and VIP Services
While the physical items up for grabs only total around $13,000, per AS.com, there are a number of lavish experiences that bump up the overall value.
The biggest ticket items in this year’s bag revolve around luxurious travel experiences. Nominees will have the opportunity to indulge in:
- A four-night stay at JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING, two award-winning luxury resorts valued at $23,549.
- A five-night wellness retreat at Santani in Sri Lanka, offering personalized spa treatments and breathtaking views, worth $8,500.
- A stay at the five-star Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona, valued at $5,200.
Interestingly, past nominees have rarely taken advantage of all their trip offers, with most selecting just one. But if they do decide to travel in style, they’ll also receive premium suitcases and travel accessories, including vegan leather passport wallets and Overnight Travel Bags.
Beyond Travel: Beauty, Cannabis, and the Bizarre
In addition to high-end skincare and wellness products, this year’s nominees will receive:
- Miage’s luxury transformative skincare line, featuring ultra-premium beauty essentials.
- A 20-piece luxury lip care set from Petty Pout for the perfect red carpet-ready pout.
- A $160 luxury cannabis package from Beboe, often referred to as the “Hermès of Marijuana.”
- A gourmet maple gift set from blanc par rouGe, because even the elite enjoy a sweet treat.
- An AncestryDNA VIP experience, where a professional genealogist will dive deep into their family history—valued at $25,000.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oscars gift bag without a few truly unexpected additions. This year’s most eyebrow-raising gifts include:
- $25,000 in ArtLipo body contouring treatments, which could be used for liposuction on arms and legs.
- A private live performance by celebrity mentalist Dr. Carl Christman, also worth $25,000.
- $50,000 in complimentary project management services from Maison Construction, which can be redeemed by the celebrity or directed toward rebuilding efforts for wildfire victims.
But perhaps the most notable and worthy prise is over $1 million in personalized disaster recovery services from Bright Harbor, benefiting over 300 families affected by the recent California wildfires.
While only a handful of stars will take home an Oscar tonight, every nominee in the acting and directing categories will walk away with the extravagant gift bag - ensuring they all leave the Dolby Theatre feeling like a winner.
With the night promising potential historic wins — such as Cynthia Erivo’s shot at EGOT status, Colman Domingo’s chance to become the first Afro-Latino Best Actor winner, and Karla Sofía Gascón’s opportunity to be the first openly trans Oscar winner — the excitement on the red carpet is at an all-time high.
But win or lose, the A-list nominees will still be going home with a suitcase (or several) full of lavish surprises.