Kim Kardashian's $148 Holiday Gift Box Sparks Outrage Over Value
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand is facing criticism for a $148 holiday advent calendar containing small accessories, which customers deem overpriced. A viral unboxing video highlighted the perceived low value of items like hair ties and clips, leading to comparisons with cheap online goods. Despite the backlash, the calendar sold out on SKIMS' official website, though the company had disclosed the contents beforehand. The controversy comes as SKIMS expands its presence in Israel.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand is criticized for a $148 holiday advent calendar with perceived low-value items.
- A viral TikTok video showcased customer disappointment with the calendar's contents, including hair ties and clips.
- Commenters compared the SKIMS products to cheaper alternatives and questioned the value for money.
- Despite criticism, the $148 SKIMS advent calendar sold out on the brand's official website.
- SKIMS has previously faced controversy for other unusual product launches.
- The brand SKIMS officially entered the Israeli market in November 2025.
Kim Kardashian's fashion brand, SKIMS, is facing backlash for its holiday advent calendar, priced at $148. The product, launched for Christmas, features 12 compartments containing small fashion accessories. A viral TikTok video of a customer unboxing the calendar ignited widespread amusement and criticism regarding the high price.
The video, posted by creator @wetsloppyswollen, shows the recipient's initial excitement over a teddy bear keychain quickly turning to disappointment as she uncovers items like hair ties, clips, and a fidget toy. "Kimberly, you are really going to annoy me," she stated, calling the price "way too expensive."
While marketed as an advent calendar, the SKIMS version contains only 12 items, averaging about $12.33 per compartment. Online commenters compared the contents to cheap items from sites like Temu and joked they were items found between car seats. Other content creators, including Kayla Ryan and fashion influencer Nea Ali, also criticized the product, with Ryan calling it a "joke."
However, SKIMS' official website had previously listed all 12 items included in the box, meaning the criticism centers on the value for money rather than deceptive marketing. Despite the controversy, the calendar sold out on the official website and is now available via a waitlist. Kardashian herself had expressed enthusiasm for the product in an interview with ELLE magazine on October 29, highlighting her love for holiday countdowns and daily surprises.
This is not the first time SKIMS has courted controversy; last year, thong underwear with faux pubic hair sold for $32, and a face-shaping bodysuit also drew online ridicule. SKIMS officially entered the Israeli market in November 2025, with a store opening in Ramat Aviv mall in February. In July, the US website stopped shipping directly to Israel, redirecting customers to the local site. A price comparison by Merav Crystal for ynet in July revealed price differences of 17% to 60% for some products between the US and Israel before shipping and taxes. It is unconfirmed if the advent calendar is available on the Israeli site, but the controversy was covered by "Erev Tov Im Guy Pines."