Is This the Oddest Gift Ever?

_13472170I want you to visualize a person you care about. Someone whose laugh you love, whose company you cherish. This person means the world to you.

Now picture that person giving you a holiday gift…and it’s a rock wrapped in leather.

That’s exactly what Nordstrom is selling for $85 this year. The “Medium Leather Wrapped Stone”–not just any stone, but a Los Angeles-area stone–is hand sewn using traditional saddle-stitching techniques.

So, yes, this is a real thing that real people paid real money for (until it sold out). Nordstrom doesn’t even seem to know the purpose of the rock; the description reads, “A paperweight? A conversation piece? A work of art? It’s up to you.”

On one hand, this is ridiculous. On the other, it’s still ridiculous, but I kind of get it. There’s just something visually appealing about a rock tightly bound in leather. I can imagine it having a good hand-feel to it, something to pass from hand to hand as you think deep thoughts.

Why would anyone spend $85 for it? I have no idea. In retail, my most expensive game with hundreds of custom components costs less than this rock. But I applaud Nordstrom for picking the right price to make a rock seem like a luxury product and for actually selling out of it at that price.

The $65 version is still in stock, but what message does that convey to your loved one?

6 thoughts on “Is This the Oddest Gift Ever?”

  1. Uhhh…. Didn’t Cards Against Humanity do something with cow dung? Yes, cow dung. People brought it for $6 a piece. https://time.com/3634443/cards-against-humanity-poop-black-friday/

    Wait, there’s a $65 version? *click link* *processing* HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! It’s not available anymore! Wow. Oh, the reviews are great. Someone said it can be that a “coal in disguise”. Maybe that’s it. “Coal in disguise” Someone brought them for their kids. Poor kids.

    Reply
    • This year you could donate to dig a hole, no reward, just a video of a machine digging a hole they they did. Their FAQ basically retorted back that if you think the money should go to charity, you should go donate to a charity.

      Reply

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