FOR those who walk away disappointed from the Oscars ceremony Sunday night, it has emerged that there will at least be the consolation of a goody bag, worth some US$45,000.

    U.S. marketing firm Distinctive Assets will deliver them directly to the homes of Oscar contenders who are not lucky enough to carry off a statuette, even though the practice of officially handing out presents to Academy award nominees and presenters was stopped in 2007.

    The gift packs will contain items including trips to Australia, Hawaii and Mexico, personal training sessions, condoms, a bottle of tequila, hand-illustrated tennis shoes, and “portion-controlled” dinnerware. A water filtration system, acupuncture and aromatherapy sessions are also included, as are a one-week stay at a health spa and a one-year membership to Heathrow airport’s private VIP service. A professional circus class for losing nominees’ children is also available.

    The bags are not endorsed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Ampas stopped its own gift-giving six years ago after the U.S. tax authorities demanded that the recipients declare them and pay tax on them. Distinctive Assets began its own service in 2003. (SD-Agencies)