Day 6

Nordstrom wants to sell you an $85 rock this holiday season

This week the department store Nordstrom marketed an $85 stone wrapped in a leather pouch. The stone does nothing. It's purpose is unclear. And it sold-out on-line. We asked comedian Carly Heffernan to visit Nordstrom to find out why.
Nordstrom's $85 USD leather-wrapped stone sold out online and caused ballyhoo on Internet. (Photo illustration by Craig Desson)

Nowhere does The Night Before Christmas mention a rock. It references stockings, sugar plums and the stump of a pipe but no rocks.

Despite that, this week an artisanal stone from Nordstrom department store became one of the most talked about gift options on the Internet … and by that we mean the world.

The medium leather-wrapped stone sells for a cool $85 USD and claims to be a smooth, hand-crafted Los Angeles-area stone. The stone comes nestled in a pouch made with vintage leatherworking tools and features traditional saddle-stitching techniques.


Commercialism hits rock bottom

The website also points out that the traditional hardening process gives the leather a beautiful ombré effect.

But the rock doesn't do anything. In fact, the website says its purpose is open to interpretation.

"A paperweight? A conversation piece? A work of art? It's up to you," reads the description.

And yet, the stone sold out.

Comedian Carly Heffernan met up with St. Nick himself to discuss what is driving the success of Nordstrom's artisanal rock.

So what's the deal? Who would buy such an expensive and odd knick-knack? We sent comedian Carly Heffernan into the belly of the holiday shopping beast to find out.

Click the link to hear what customers have to say, plus … Santa weighs in as well.