Ziwe. Photo courtesy Neiman Marcus
Dallas-based Neiman Marcus and actress and comedian Ziwe hosted the “ultimate virtual white elephant” party.
Guests included selected Neiman Marcus customers from each of Neiman’s 37 stores who were invited to a luxury suite or in-store restaurant to play the traditional Christmas gift exchange game.
White Elephant typically means participants come with a gift and — in accordance with rules — exchange, steal and trade with one another. In this version players received a “party in a box” with instructions. And the gifts exchanged included a Balenciaga Croc embossed cash card holder and a Bottega Veneta bucket bag as well as “a range of products at various price points, including under $250, $100 and $50,” according to a Neiman Marcus spokesperson.
In my household WE gifts must be within a certain ludicrously low and, more importantly, consistent, price range to avoid carnage, but I am assuming the Neiman’s players had a modicum of class that has evaded cousin Pam (name changed to protect Margo’s identity).
To hear Ziwe tell it, no one was disappointed.
“I always knew Neiman Marcus was known for luxury, but this blew away all of my expectations for what a White Elephant party could be! The gifts were so over-the-top, and I definitely had my eye on several of them,” said Ziwe.
And Neiman’s reports “everyone walked away celebrating big.”
The gifts included in the recent exchange represent a carefully curated holiday collection that covers a range of categories and price points, according to Neiman Marcus. The Magazine will explain and guide you through the remainder of the month.
Or, for the first time in its history, the luxury retailer is offering online customers curated gift boxes ($82-$4,458) featuring selections of items by themes, such as Self Care Stars and Travel Enhancers.
Side note: If you have not read the mid-pandemic story about Neiman Marcus by Jason Heid, which I only just came across in Texas Monthly, it is so worth a read.
