It's the most wonderful time of the year (and, yes, I just sang that in my best Andy Williams voice)! Gwyneth Paltrow's 2015 Goop gift guides are here and if you're hoping there are some ridiculous items included like in years past, you're in luck. Actually, there is an entire guide called "Ridiculous (and Awesome) Gifts". Oh Goop, you know how to treat your best and worst critics right. Paltrow and her lifestyle site are apparently poking fun at themselves for offering some over-the-top gift ideas, but it's pretty amusing because you know the Oscar-winning actress probably owns most of them.
Whatever the case, per Paltrow, it was her intention to essentially come off jokey with a few of the items. As she said during Fast Company Innovation Festival on Tuesday,
Sometimes we like to just have fun and sort of make fun of ourselves or put on some ridiculous thing [on the site] to make ourselves laugh ... Our gift guide is coming out on Thursday. [Evil laugh] And this year, we actually have a number of gift guides, but one of them is just called "Ridiculous". So, I think there’s a trip to space on there and a hot air balloon. I think the most ridiculous thing is there’s a website that’s selling solid gold dumbbells.
Each gift guide does offer products that range in prices, with a lot being quite expensive and out of most people's budgets. However, as Paltrow said at the Innovation Festival, "[On Goop] we sell what we love and what we are looking for and we want to buy." She realizes there is a stigma attached to the site, but says, "its not actually accurate." I mean, I guess in a way she's dismissing such stigmas with this "Ridiculous" category and suggesting people purchase a trip to space, a condom dispenser, or an actual ball and chain.
With all that, is Goop truly poking fun at itself? Despite Paltrow saying they're doing exactly that, the "Ridiculous" gift guide doesn't really seem that much more ridiculous than previous and current items featured on the regular gift guides. If you take a look at this year's "Maximalist" category, the prices for some of the items are beyond ridiculous. Not everyone has over $2,000 around to spend on a purse. I don't know about you, but I would never have the desire to spend $530 on just a pajama top. And if you glance at the "Collector" list, who really needs crystal fireplace logs that cost $330? Really, the only non-ridiculous guide is the "Secret Santa" one, where everything is under $50.
I feel like if Paltrow and Goop truly wanted to come off funny, then maybe they should've offered items that are more realistic for the everyday person in each category, especially price-wise. That way the "Ridiculous" gift guide would be that much funnier and more appreciated. Also, if Paltrow doesn't want those pesky stigmas attached to Goop, then maybe she should start including even more relatable items. If that's not her intention and she wants to offer products that are for wealthier individuals, come out right and say it.
Anyways, at least she can make fun of herself, I guess? You be the judge. Here are a few of the items.
The $90,000 Trip To Space
Who knew Nieman Marcus offered such luxurious trips? Purchasing a "world view exploration at the edge of space" will really earn you some brownie points with the family.
A Literal Ball & Chain
Huh? What? Why? I guess if you want to spend $1,500 on something this is the way to go?
The Toothpaste Squeezer
Who needs hands when you have this $244 product to do it for you?
A Condom Dispenser
I mean, forget about the box condoms actually come in. This is how you practice safe sex and be fancy all at once. Plus, it only costs $42.
Which "ridiculous" item will you buy this year? If the exploration of space includes Rogelio De La Vega from Jane the Virgin, I'm in.
Images: Giphy (2); Wallpaper Store; Canoe; Blackman Cruz
Additional reporting by Lia Beck
