For most of us at home, awards shows are all about fashion and frivolity. For the celebrities lucky enough to take part, they’re about being recognized for a job well done — and getting plenty of free stuff. Gift bags have long been a staple of Hollywood’s marquee events, but if you think stars are getting standard party favors, think again — for instance, this year’s Oscar nominees will be getting gold-infused olive oil, a stay at a Scottish castle, and free liposuction, among other things. Here are some of the most interesting examples from years past, including some you can even buy for yourself (sorry, no freebies here).
Prices and availability are subject to change. Some items may not be available for purchase.
Related: Rich, Famous, and Cheap: 40 Frugal Celebrities
‘IV on Call’ | Oscars, 2021
What’s the star with a hangover, nasty cold, or unrelenting headache to do? The Oscars swag bag has the answer, of course. Day or night, nominees are able to reach out to IV On Call for the most Hollywood of pick-me-ups: concierge vitamin intravenous infusions. (If you’re wondering what such a service would cost a regular Joe, keep wondering — no rates are available on their website.)
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A Non-Fungible Token | Oscars, 2021
Scratching your head? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are “cryptographic assets on blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from each other,” according to Investopedia. To put it more simply, an NFT is kind of like digital currency, except each one is unique, and represents some sort of tangible item. In this case, each NFT will represent a piece of digital artwork. The artwork will be sold at auction, and the proceeds can go toward a charity vetted by the nominee.
Related: 25 Rare Collectibles Worth More Than Your House
Luxury Cruise | Oscars, 2020
What do you get the celebrity who has everything? An extravagant cruise that they could totally pay for themselves, of course. Alas, given the current state of the world, we doubt many stars got to take the 12-day, $78,000 trip aboard the Scenic Eclipse, a luxury yacht with butlers, helicopters, and a submarine. (Join us as we play the world’s smallest violin.)
Related: 23 of the Most Luxurious Cruise Ships
Brain Wave-Sensing Headband | Oscars, 2020
$250 and up from MuseShop Now
They may have infinity pools, personal chefs, full-time house cleaners, and maybe even an on-call masseuse, but some stars still can’t manage to relax. So what better than a special headband to help guide their daily meditation? It even connects to smartphones to measure brain activity.
Related: 33 Inexpensive Products to Ease Stress at Home
Amethyst and Gold Bath Bomb | Oscars, 2020
Bath bombs are an indulgent waste of money even when they aren’t filled with raw crystals, but how else do you catch a jaded celeb’s attention? By embedding a giant “moon charged” amethyst and flecks of 24-karat gold, of course. Before they sold out, you could get your own for (gulp) $105 from Hotsy Totsy Haus.
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Smart Bra | Oscars, 2020
We hope most stars are able to spring for a professional bra fitting, but if not, it’s the Somainnofit Bra to the rescue. It connects to smartphones and calculates bra measurements at the touch of a button, no uncomfortable fitting-room moments required.
Urine Collection System | Oscars, 2020
Related: 30 Strange and Expensive Celeb Purchases
Emoji Toilet Plunger | Oscars, 2019
Stars … they’re just like us! Which means sometimes they, too, clog the toilet. At least they can plunge in style with a Mister Poop emoji toilet plunger, ideal for celebrities that “deal with loads of crap every day.” Bonus: The handle glows in the dark.
Related: 25 Celebs Whose First Job Was Worse Than Yours
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Waffles on a Stick | Emmys, 2019
$6.50 and up from Leaff Waffles (only available for pickup in Los Angeles)Shop Now
Everything tastes better on a stick, even in Hollywood. These waffles are a cut above your typical state fair food, though: They’re artisanally shaped, come dipped in Belgian chocolate, and can be topped with everything from chocolate pearls to 24-karat gold.
Related: Fast Food Favorites of 20 Celebrities
Dog Leggings | Emmys, 2019
$40 and up from AmazonShop Now
Posh pooches are a popular celeb accessory, so why not dog leggings? Made by Walkee Paws, the leggings are ostensibly more than a fashion statement because built-in booties protect pampered paws from the elements.
Related: Fun and Useful Gifts for Dog-Obsessed Humans
Cannabis Facial Moisturizer | Oscars, 2019
$40 from Macy’s Shop Now
Why puff it when you can slather it on for soft, supple skin? Get that fresh-from-a-facial glow courtesy of this hemp-infused lotion. Bonus: It probably won’t give you the munchies.
Cannabis-Infused Truffles | Oscars, 2019
When pot brownies just aren’t glamorous enough, it’s weed-laced truffles to the rescue. Each colorful piece of candy, made with ethically sourced South American cacao, contains 10 milligrams of THC.
Related: 25 Candymakers With Treats Almost Too Pretty to Eat
Egg Mazing | Grammys, 2019
$22 from AmazonShop Now
We can personally vouch for the amazing Egg Mazing, but an egg-decorating device isn’t necessarily what we’d expect to find in a celebrity swag bag. Still, you can buy your own and enjoy your next Easter blissfully free of messy egg dye.
A Stained-Glass Portrait | Oscars, 2019
While celebrities are used to having their pictures plastered everywhere, a stained-glass portrait might be exotic enough to tempt even the most jaded star. The artist’s work has included the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, John Wayne, Bono, David Bowie, Tom Hanks, and Barbra Streisand.
Related: Which Celebrities Besides Tom Hanks Have Dual Citizenship?
Baby Shark Song Doll | Grammys, 2019
$17 from AmazonShop Now
Some things are just inescapable, even when you’re a celebrity. Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo.
‘Spy’ Pen | Oscars, 2019
You don’t have to be Sean Connery to appreciate a recording device disguised as a pen — or so PETA hopes. The animal-rights organization gifted celebrities the gizmo in an effort to expose on-set abuse of animals used in TV shows and movies.
Related: 17 Celebrities Who’ve Survived PR Nightmares
Earwax Cleaner | Grammys, 2018
$49 from Bed, Bath & BeyondShop Now
Celebrity status doesn’t guarantee squeaky-clean ear canals, so this little silicone-tipped gadget aims to help. After all, cotton swabs are for B-listers.
Hydrogen-Infused Water | Emmys, 2017
Last time we guzzled a glass of water, hydrogen was already part of the deal, but apparently, you can never have enough of the stuff when you’re a star. Nebulous health benefits aside, hydrogen water does come in some super cool pouches.
Wrapping Paper With Their Likeness | Emmys, 2016
$19 and up from Gift Wrap My FaceShop Now
Surely celebrities are sick of seeing their face everywhere — everywhere but on their own customized wrapping paper, that is. Gift Wrap My Face allows mere mortals to plaster themselves all over presents, too, but for our money, we’d go with Nicolas Cage.
Purell Hand Sanitizer | Grammys, 2015
$9 from AmazonShop Now
In 2015, a bottle of Purell in a celebrity gift bag would have been a little bit of a head-scratcher. In pandemic America, it’s an exclusive gift befitting of the red carpet.
A ‘Vampire’ Face Lift | October, 2013
Plastic surgery is just a fact of life for many A-listers, but a facelift inspired by a blood-sucking monster? Turns out it’s so named because a mix of fillers and plasma drawn from a patient’s blood are used to fill in lines and plump up the face. You may have heard about the procedure if you keep up with the Kardashians
Related: 29 of the Most Expensive Celebrity Homes of All Time
A One-Year Supply of Altoids | Oscars, 2010
