theSkimm Launches 'The Sleigh List' and Virtual Reality Holiday Village

November 15, 2021 (New York, NY) – theSkimm today launched its first-ever virtual reality shopping experience designed to help Skimm’rs navigate the holiday season and gift smarter. Building on the previous success of its in-person and virtual holiday experiences, theSkimm is harnessing the magic of the 2021 winter season with “The Sleigh List: theSkimm’s guide to the best gifts for everyone on your A-List.” It’s a shoppable destination filled with curated commerce guides, gift recommendations, and a 3D virtual village experience. 

As we navigate another unprecedented holiday season, filled with challenges and anticipated shipping delays, theSkimm is cutting through the noise and saving its audience the time and money they’d normally spend searching for themselves. Among the top concerns Skimm’rs cited this season were around finding the right gift for everyone on their list (61%) and discovering gifts at the best price point (51%). Nearly 1 in 3 Skimm’rs admitted to feeling “stressed” or “nervous” prior to the holidays. And more than half of Skimm’rs plan to shop online this holiday season.

theSkimm’s Sleigh List was designed to alleviate these stresses and help our audience spend and gift smarter – while providing thoughtful ideas and keeping most recommendations under $100. theSkimm compiled a selection of 15 unique commerce guides – ranging from ‘Gifts Any Holiday-Party Host Will Appreciate’ to ‘Our Favorite Presents from Women-Owned Businesses’ – all diversified in intended audience, price point, and theme to be inclusive of theSkimm’s entire community. 

And during a time when shopping at brick-and-mortar stores poses hassles and health risks, theSkimm is also debuting its virtual holiday village. The inaugural virtual reality shop, built in partnership with Obsess, gives Skimm’rs an IRL shopping experience while navigating through a 3D, snow-filled market (sans frostbite). The virtual experience features editorially-curated shops — including the Stocking Stuffer Station, Style Shack, Lovers’ Lodge, Cozy Cabin, Gadgets and Gizmos Workshop, Celebration Station, and the Chic Steals Chalet, a custom shop for our advertising partner, Saks OFF 5TH – additional holiday content, and more. The experience includes more than 60 products ranging from Truff’s White Truffle Hot Sauce, to Therabody’s Theragun Mini, Uncommon Goods’ What-to-Watch Streaming Dice, Brooklinen’s Super Plush Robe, and Balmain’s Butterfly Sunglasses.

The holiday experience will be live across theSkimm’s ecosystem through the end of the year. And for the second year in a row, theSkimm’s flagship product – the Daily Skimm – will feature a special Black Friday edition of the newsletter, inclusive of day-after-Thanksgiving recommendations.