One of the perks of being rich, famous and fabulous is people give you stuff. It makes zero sense because you can buy it yourself, but when has this world ever made sense? So the next best thing to being the famous person receiving the stuff is being the unfamous person looking at all the neat stuff and deciding how jealous you are. Fortunately, Rachel of giftbagsbyrachel documented all the stuff she was tasked with giving the Grammy performers over the weekend so we can analyze everything they got to take home in their gift ‘bags’. Here’s the video:
@giftbagsbyrachael Pack an Official Grammy Gift Bag with me! #GRAMMYs #giftbagsbyrachael #swagbag #womenownedbusiness #GRAMMYawards #GRAMMYs2023 #fyp #GRAMMYgiftbag #packingorders ♬ The Home Depot Beat – The Home Depot
Our friends over at Buzzfeed had some thoughts, as did Twitter. My overall feeling is FREE STUFF! But if I’m going to flex my blogger muscle, I guess I have to do better. People seemed confused by the use of a suitcase instead of an actual bag or gift basket. I think the suitcase is brilliant. It’s so much easier to take out to the car that lug one of those cumbersome baskets around. And while a basket is good for towels or decorative gourds and a bag can be used for shopping and beach trips, I argue a suitcase’s reuse is still higher for a performer who has to bring multiple outfit changes to each engagement. Also: regifting. There are two things people who get swag bags think about. Number one – what can I use? Number two – what can I regift? A suitcase would be a big regift.
As for what’s in the bags, there are a ton of snacks and honestly, for those that get gift bags, the snacks are what they get most excited about, unless it’s like a Rolex or something. Everyone loves a good snack. The Red Vines shown is their new all natural version. There was a regular version as well. I love Red Vines. Plus they got karma cashews and some chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats from Treat House. See, already I’m sold of this Suitcase of Swag. There’s a bunch of self-care products with Slip hair ties and products from Garnier, Mutha and All Better Co, which is plant-based. The Havaiana flip flops got a lot of attention. They had a big display in the gift suite and were featured on top of the gift ‘case. Havaianas are everywhere right now. They are expensive for a flip flop and the Grammy offerings had crystals on them. They are supposed to be super comfortable. Buzzfeed was weirded out by this choice but I’d bet these were one of the favorite items.
There were also toys in the swag ‘cases. Toys seem silly for performers, but celebs love regifting toys for their assistants’ kids and such. Same for pet items.
Not shown are the gift cards for Art Lipo plastic surgery worth up to $10K or exclusive Turboflex sunglasses. Or the $325 showerhead that I assume gives you affirmations as you bathe for that price. There was also a $1200 Bugaboo stroller that I guess you could carry their suitcase in, Marei 1998 furless purses and Kaleidoscope hair products. If you watched the video, you might have seen the boxes with labels reading “VIP Products.” Having worked a gift suite last year I can give you the deets on that. Even celebs are tiered. And there are some items meant only for the top tier. So the poor people working the suites have to guide the lesser tiered celebs away from those tables or areas because they aren’t allowed to give those folks that swag. The times it’s the hardest are 1) the moment a celeb realizes they haven’t made the VIP list or 2) they don’t care and demand they get the free stuff regardless.
Photo credit: Cover Images, TikTok and Instagram
I used to be a big fan of Havaianas when I was in my 20’s (I’m now in my 30’s). I had 20+ pairs at one point, I had their kitty heels, wedges, limited edition, crystals and etc. I sold most of them, a few had straps that snapped particularly the kitty heels which were expensive for what they were. When I moved to the UK, I ordered a pair of their regular slippers to use inside the house and when showering but one of the straps would snap/break after a few month’s regular use. I gave up after 3 pairs and just bought a pair of rubber slippers from Jack Wills and it’s been going on for years now.
Violet Chachki 💜
I think swag bags may be getting out of hand when they become swag suitcases.
In a few years it will be brand new Jeeps filled with Kind Bars and lip kits.
It would be really fun to put these together (even if giving rich people free stuff is gross) – it would be fun to figure out what’s new and cool and get those companies to send free stuff. But I would NOT want to be that person who has to steer the lesser celebs to the lesser gift bags. What a weird world that must be.
I used to do this for a PR firm I worked at. So. Much. Fun.
So, since I’m seeing candy and toys I think we can consider these gift cases for a celebrities entire TEAM which makes it better in my mind actually.
Nah , if I have made it that far in the door and spent my time pulling on the Spanx and aquanet… I want ALL the swag !!
I’ve worn Havaianas for over 15 years, and even bought them for all my bridesmaids. They’ve held up pretty well, but now that I am an old, I like my Reefs for support.
These swag bags are much better than the ones I get at my work conferences. Oh look, another coffee cup 😆
Sorry but it makes me not want to support any of the companies with my money. Now if they showed them being packed for struggling families and underprivileged children, I could get into it. Or have the already rich award attendees actually bring a donation for a charity. Giving the gift cards for lipo, etc. does make sense for a celeb.