Unveiling the $200K Oscars Gift Bag: Luxuries, Cannabis, and a Maldives Getaway!

And the award for the best schwag swag goes too…

For the 23rd consecutive year, the Los Angeles-based marketing company Distinctive Assets will provide the top 2025 Oscar nominees with their annual “Everyone Takes Home a Prize” swag bag.

(Swag bag is a slang term for a collection of promotional items given as gifts.)

The reviewed documents by CNBC reveal that the collection is estimated to be nearly $200,000 in value. It encompasses cannabis items like pre-rolls and THC-infused beverages, a luxurious four-night vacation at a Maldivian resort worth around $23,000, a $5,200 hotel stay in Barcelona, along with AncestryDNA’s exclusive $25,000 VIP Family History Experience, where a genealogist creates the nominee’s family tree.

Along with the gift bags, you’ll find a John Boos cutting board worth $240, skincare items from the prestigious Swiss brand INSTYTUTUM, and elegant pocket squares by Daniel Ashley, totaling approximately $1,570 in value.

When I’m crafting this bag, my aim is to say, “Wow, there are some unique and desirable items within it that I, as a lifestyle aficionado, would be thrilled to receive if I were a celebrity.

And the award for the best Oscars schwag swag goes too…

For the 23rd consecutive year, the Los Angeles-based marketing firm Distinctive Assets is presenting the 2025 Oscar nominees in the top category with a “Everyone’s a Winner” swag bag.

The collection, valued close to $200,000 as per CNBC’s reviewed documents, encompasses various items such as cannabis goods like pre-rolls and THC-infused beverages. It also offers a four-night luxury stay at a Maldives resort worth $23,000, a $5,200 hotel stay in Barcelona, and AncestryDNA’s exclusive $25,000 VIP Family History Experience where a genealogist constructs the recipient’s family tree.

In addition to the gift bags, you’ll find a high-quality John Boos cutting board worth $240, along with skincare items from the prestigious Swiss brand INSTYTUTUM and elegant pocket squares from Daniel Ashley company, together valued at approximately $1,570.

In an interview with CNBC on February 28, Lash Fary, the founder of Distinctive Assets, shared his aim while creating this bag. He expressed, “What I strive for is, ‘There are some fascinating items here that I, as a celebrity, would be thrilled to receive.’

Assistance for those impacted by the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas in January also includes:

1. A one-year membership to Bright Harbor, a personalized disaster recovery support service.
2. 10 additional memberships to share with friends and family.
3. $50,000 worth of project management services from Maison Construction.

It’s important to note that not every nominated individual receives a gift bag from Distinctive Assets, a company that’s not connected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which decides the Oscar winners.

The list of possible honorees consists exclusively of the 20 actors nominated across the acting categories, such as Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Demi Moore, Karla Sofía Gascón, Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Strong, Zoe Saldaña, and Ariana Grande, along with the five nominees for Best Directing and host Conan O’Brien. According to CNBC.

Read on to learn more about the first-time Oscars 2025 nominees…

Monica, who received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, wasn’t entirely new to the scene before appearing alongside Timothée Chalamet in the Bob Dylan biopic. Previously, she may have been familiar from roles such as the rom-com “At Midnight”, season one of “FUBAR” with Arnold Schwarzenegger, or her appearances on shows like “Chicago Justice”, “Chicago P.D.”, “UnREAL”, and “Stumptown”.

It’s quite possible that you recognized her as Navy pilot Lieutenant Natasha “Phoenix” Trace in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” where Tom Cruise, Glen Powell, and Miles Teller also starred. Interestingly, when she received her nomination, it was her previous co-stars who were among the first to offer their congratulations.

The actress, who has been generating relationship speculation with Andrew Garfield, shared with People that our group chat erupted with excitement. She expressed that the members are incredibly supportive and enthusiastic about it.

Ariana, who started her journey in the limelight as a child actor on Broadway, has been gracefully navigating the stage since her time as a Nickelodeon star on shows like Victorious and Sam & Cat. However, her path diverged towards pop music stardom, earning an impressive 18 Grammy nominations and taking home two awards along the way.

However, she always held onto her initial affection for musical theater. Consequently, upon learning that Wicked was being transformed into a movie, she felt compelled to participate; thus, she dedicated herself to making it happen.

She shared with W Magazine her enthusiasm for auditioning for the film, saying, “I’d often ask my team to keep tabs and remind me if the opportunity arose, as I was prepared to halt almost anything and start training and vocal coaching. I wanted to fine-tune my voice for operatic pieces and take acting classes to ensure I had all the necessary skills ready when needed for my eventual return to acting. I desired to genuinely earn it.

At the age of 59, she achieved a remarkable milestone by being nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category, making her the second Brazilian actress to receive this recognition. Interestingly, she is emulating the path set by her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was also nominated in the same category back in 1998 for her performance in Walter Salles’‘ film, Central Station.

At this year’s awards ceremony, Fernanda became the first Brazilian, Latin American, and Portuguese-speaking actress to receive a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture. During her acceptance speech, she honored her mother.

She mentioned that she had been here twenty-five years prior. She emphasized that art has the power to persist throughout our lives, even during challenging times such as this remarkable tale.

Initially starting out with minor roles, the actress from Los Angeles saw her career take off when she landed the part of Max Fox on the TV show “Better Things” in 2016. Following this success, she appeared in movies like “Monster”, “Nostalgia”, “Scream” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, portraying Susan “Sadie” Atkins, a member of the Manson family.

In the film titled “Anora“, Mikey portrays the main character, a sex worker who develops affection for the son of a Russian billionaire. This role was specifically tailored for her by director Sean Baker, following his observation of her performance in “Scream“.

She shared with W Magazine that he had watched her in a horror movie recently. He attended the opening weekend and reached out to her the following day. I was already familiar with his work, particularly The Florida Project and Tangerine, which I adore. We arranged a meeting over coffee, where he presented an idea for a film involving the Russian mafia at that time. He inquired if I would be interested in joining the project, to which I agreed.

The oldest son is now shining in the limelight at the Academy Awards, after a series of powerful performances in Hollywood and masterful method acting. However, it was his exceptional portrayal of the actual attorney, Roy Cohn, that earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Following his nomination, the Succession alum spoke to how the nod fulfilled a lifelong dream.

He recounted, in his statement, an experience from 1993 – spending a cold night on metal bleachers outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, watching the Academy Awards. His father was with him, and they were there to see the actors and actresses arrive for the 65th ceremony. He couldn’t sleep that night due to the thrill of being so close to Hollywood. That initial excitement hasn’t waned; he still feels it whenever he visits a set, drives onto a lot, or starts rehearsals.

After being conspicuously omitted from some prestigious award season events like the “Actors on Actors” series by Variety, Sebastian found himself in a topic that seemed to be avoided in conversation.

Despite my heart pounding with anticipation, I, a 42-year-old artist, found myself standing alongside some of the greatest actors in the world, nominated for an Academy Award. My resume boasts roles in Marvel, Pam & Tommy, Gossip Girl, and I, Tonya, but nothing could prepare me for this momentous occasion. The thrill is indescribable, and I can hardly wait to see who will be crowned the best of the best on Oscar night!

In an interview with The New York Times, Sebastian shared about his experience depicting the president, “Throughout his journey, and definitely what our movie delved into, was the transformation of a person into something unyielding, the fading of their human qualities.

This award season, Zoe has made a significant impact. Although she’s played crucial roles in blockbuster franchises like Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy, it was only with the release of Emilia Pérez that Zoe truly received her due recognition, and quite extensively.

Prior to the Oscars, Zoe has previously earned a BAFTA, Critic’s Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award, positioning herself as a strong contender for the Best Supporting Actress category.

Regardless of the debate surrounding the film and its cast, Zoe acknowledged during her Critic’s Choice Award acceptance speech, “I will hear your voices tonight and I will take this award with pride…It’s amazing to think that Emilia Pérez‘s small movie has made such an impact on so many people, and that has been a truly memorable experience for me.

It might be said that, for many years, this 57-year-old actor has been overlooked in Hollywood, with numerous significant roles in popular movies like “Memento,” “The Hurt Locker,” and “Iron Man.” However, it wasn’t until the release of “The Brutalist” that he finally received his first major film nominations, marking a long-overdue recognition for his talent.

Additionally recognized by BAFTA and Golden Globe awards, Guy’s acting role has been submitted for consideration at the Oscars in the Best Supporting Actor category. His performance was as an envious adversary to Adrien Brody’s character, László Toth.

Guy explained to GQ that his character appreciates greatness, yet lacks it himself. Instead, he strives tirelessly to experience the sensation of being surrounded by greatness in any way possible – whether by owning valuable items, overpowering others, charming crowds, or disarming people, though it all seems somewhat erratic.

Demi, who is 62 years old, has broken the norm by being nominated for horror films in the award cycle multiple times this season. She’s garnered five nominations from the major associations, and she’ll go into the Oscars with a Best Actress nomination, as well as having already won a Critic’s Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award.

Demi has been garnering significant recognition later in her career, which took off with her debut on “General Hospital” in 1980. This accolade serves as a well-timed confirmation for the actress who played the ghost in the movie “Ghost.

In the midst of a challenging phase in my life, I stumbled upon an extraordinary, daring, audacious, off-the-beaten-path screenplay titled “The Substance” that found its way to me. The universe seemed to whisper, “You still have more to offer.

For over four decades, Kieran’s career in Hollywood has been flourishing, with his memorable performance in “A Real Pain” being just one of many accolades. Starting his acting journey alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin in “Home Alone” (1990), Kieran has amassed a variety of roles on both television and film, most notably portraying Roman Roy on the highly-acclaimed series “Succession”.

At that point, he had been nominated numerous times as well, yet prior to the release of “A Real Pain“, he hadn’t won an Academy Award. His heart-touching portrayal in the movie showcases a character going through life’s greatest peaks and valleys, and it has already earned him a BAFTA, a Critic’s Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award.

The renowned Italian actress, who’s been a consistent presence on our screens for years, may seem an unexpected addition to this list. However, at 72 years old, she boasts a distinguished career, marked by roles in films like “Bue Velvet,” “Death Becomes Her,” and TV’s “Crime of the Century.” Yet it’s her compelling performance in the political thriller “Conclave” that has secured her a first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

It’s a poignant moment of completion for Isabella, whose mother, Ingrid Berman, garnered three Oscars throughout her career. As the celebrated model expressed to the New York Times upon her nomination, “I was taken aback by my tears, but I was so touched—I believe it was for the legacy, as I think my mom would have been overjoyed.

Despite Yura being relatively unknown on the international stage following his initial significant global performance, which has earned him both a Golden Globe and BAFTA nomination, he had previously garnered recognition within his native Russia.

Following his first acting role in the 2011 film “Elena”, Yura was awarded a Golden Eagle for his performance in the 2020 biopic about Mikhail Kalashnikov titled “AK-47“.

In the character of Igor in the film “Anora“, for which he is nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category, Yura aimed to create a performance that conveyed complexity. He explained to NPR, “I was trying to portray someone who could be brutal on the outside, but tender-hearted within.” He believes that everyone, no matter how tough they appear, has a soft and sensitive side, and that’s perfectly okay.

Karla’s nomination was significant – it represented the first instance of an openly transgender actor or actress being nominated for an Oscar. However, what initially seemed like a promising awards season for the 52-year-old quickly turned sour following a series of controversies. Among these were a string of old tweets containing racist and Islamophobic content.

Following the backlash, Karla apologized for the hurt her past comments may have caused.

She expressed her apologies on NBC News through a Netflix representative regarding past social media posts that hurt people, especially since she comes from a marginalized community and understands the pain this can cause. She deeply regrets any harm she may have caused. All her life, she has been fighting for a better world, and she firmly believes that light will eventually conquer darkness.

2025-03-02 19:48

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