Golden Globes gift suite draws celebs and nonprofits

Arts and Culture

Celebs go to the gift suite to pick up freebies and allegedy donate their time to charity.

There's not even a lavish Golden Globes ceremony to attend, but the Golden Globes suite with all the freebies was still a go in Beverly Hills. In case you've never heard of this pre-awards show event, celebs like Shar Jackson are invited to a gift suite and can walk away with lots of good swag, in this case worth as much as $50,000. You know the old show business saying: The graft must go on.

What sort of goodies do stars like J.K. Simmons receive? Clothes, jewelry, art, toys, housewares, electronics, restaurant gift certificates, travel and more. They can also get spa and salon services, interior design consultations, even LASIK to get rid of those pesky glasses. And it's all taxable, say the suits at the IRS.

The event has a charitable angle, too. One of the beneficiaries was Isaiah Washington's Gondobay Manga Foundation, which builds schools in Africa. Another beneficiary was the Writers Guild. Maybe event organizers should have invited out-of-work writers and crews to pick up some freebies? Just wondering.

Kimberly Elise ("The Great Debaters," "Close to Home") pauses at the mini-shopping spree.

Shaun Toub ("The Kite Runner") makes an appearance at the event.

Jud Tylor ("Charlie Wilson's War") shows up for the swag-fest.

Actress Valerie Azlynn meets up with Hannah Murray.

Joshua Malina (center, "Big Shots" and "The West Wing") and his wife, Melissa, right) talk with Specer Kanis (left) of 3Lab, a skincare company.

Michelle Hurd ("ER," "Law & Order: SVU"), Garret Dillahunt ("Damages," "No Country for Old Men") and cosmetics rep Hannah Murray chat at the gift suite.

Jimmy Jean-Louis (right, "Heroes") talks DNA with Gina Paige of African Ancestry.

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There's not even a lavish Golden Globes ceremony to attend, but the Golden Globes suite with all the freebies was still a go in Beverly Hills. In case you've never heard of this pre-awards show event, celebs like Shar Jackson are invited to a gift suite and can walk away with lots of good swag, in this case worth as much as $50,000. You know the old show business saying: The graft must go on.

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