14 DAY TRIAL // This year, for those that don't get to take an Oscar Award home, the consolation prize could be made up of gift bags that are reportedly over $55,000 (€40,392) in value, which means that the “losers” won't go home empty handed.
Variety says that the elaborate gift bags contain a wine/chocolate flight pairing from Chocolatines, vacation packages to the Canadian Rockies, Mexico and Japan, Slow watches made in Switzerland, Jan Lewis designer bracelets, as well as a wide assortment of teas and spa treatments.
The bags were put together by Distinctive Assets and they are called “Everybody Wins.” Founder of the Distinctive Assets company, Lash Fary, said that “We always look forward to introducing celebrities to an array of companies with fabulous gifts to share, but it's particularly fun to be able to do so when you know it will truly brighten someone's day.”
Apart from these elaborate and thoughtful gifts, the runners-up will be given the possibility to donate 10,000 meals of Halo natural pet food to an animal shelter of their choice. This offer comes from presenter Ellen DeGeneres, who is an ambassador for the pet food brand.
Update [February 27, 2014]: An earlier version of the article erroneously stated that the gift bags were endorsed by the Academy. They are not and won't be distributed at any event sponsored by it. Oscar Officials have made it clear that there is no connection between the Academy and these gift bags and they aren't sure that any such recompense will be awarded.