Inside the World of Gifting Suites: The Good, the Bad, and the “Wait, Did That Just Happen?”

It's gifting szn!

At the CLD gifting suite, wearing Betsey Johnson shoes from the ICA Gifting Suite.

Festival SZN has arrived (I am such a millennial). In Los Angeles, it’s also Festival Gifting Suite Season. Over the past two weeks, I’ve attended six different gifting suites (I swear I never go to this many). My closet, heart, and beauty shelves are full. It’s been a whirlwind—and super fun. But I have a lot of thoughts…

If you're reading this because you're considering hosting or participating in one of these events, you're in the right place. Here’s everything I loved, loathed, and learned—from standout PR moves to what not to do as a publicist or vendor.

New here? I’m Amanda Lauren. I write for Forbes, Real Simple, Yahoo, and Today’s Parent (mostly). I am not the Amanda Lauren who writes about Teen Mom and 90 Day Fiancé (yet I manage to get all of her pitches).

Follow me on Instagram because I’m a thirst monster.

Also, my friend Dahvi Shira (who writes for Forbes and Daily Beast, among other places) attended several of the same events I did. Her take is up on her Substack, and I highly recommend giving it a read. She’s also the person involved in the bizarre incident I share below.

And even if you have nothing to do with gifting suites, I’ve got some fun tea—so read on.