I 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?
Social Experiment, even posting on this blog might be part of it so I’ll stop.
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.
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.
If you’re going to donate to digging a hole, you should find someone who wants to dig a hole in a village in Africa or Latin America. Make sure they dig it deep enough that the bottom fills with water.
A few years ago for White elephant, I bought a some “eye pads” and put them in an ipad box from work. I personally thought it was hilarious.
Don’t even pretend you didn’t buy one Jamey 😉