A jewelry company’s CEO divided the internet for her annual gift exchange where some employees walked away with designer purses and high-end necklaces while others got small skincare bottles.
Alexis Nido-Russo, the founder of Local Eclectic, came up with the idea of the “bougie white elephant” where the budget was seemingly limitless.
In the TikTok post, viewed over 3.8 million times, one worker unwraps a large $300 Diptyque candle which was immediately stolen by another worker.
She then opens up another present, this time getting a Chanel Quilted coin purse, valued at upwards of $500, which a fellow worker also snatched away.
The worker finished her turn after opening Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic serum, which was poorly received compared to the remaining luxurious gifts.
A 30 ml bottle of Dr. Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum is priced at $320, according to the company’s website.
Another worker had a prized $600 Dyson Airwrap taken away in favor of a facial product, which received a reaction with less excitement than the styling tool.
The ownership of a $510 Hermes silk scarf didn’t last long as the accessory was stolen twice.
The last gift opened was another skincare serum with the woman seemingly sarcastically saying “Skincare, I love skincare.”
Nido-Russo, however, defended her choice of gifting skin products to her employees, saying the presents were “all very premium” and were the “Hermes of skincare.”
“OP (original poster) fighting for her life in these comments trying to convince everyone that skincare is as good a gift as a Dyson Airwrap or Hermes scarf lol,” one commenter said in response.
Some commenters pointed out the vast difference between the gifts saying “I don’t understand the price range lol like how do we go from hyaluronic acid to a dyson.”
“To bring a Hermes scarf or a Chanel wallet and leave with a serum is a crime.”
“Sorry but skincare that’s gonna run out when ppl got a freaking dyson??? Idc that it’s expensive skincare the quality tops off at like $80 anyway.”
“I’m so poor I didn’t even know what the first gift was,” another commenter said about the Diptyque candle.
Others said the theme for the white elephant wouldn’t work for their family and friends.
“Your friendships must be STRONG because for me, after those steals, there would be drama,” one person wrote.
“My family could never… the fight would be extended until 2025,” said another.