Marriott is giving $100 gifts to its top members — here's how to spend yours

Earlier this week, we saw American Airlines give out some disappointing holiday gifts to all of its members. Now, it's Marriott's turn to play Santa.

On Friday morning, Dec. 4, many Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite members — travelers who stay 100 nights a year and spend $20,000 with the brand — received $100 to be used at the Bonvoy Boutiques.

The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly was among those who found this voucher in his digital stocking this morning. According to a handful of responses in the TPG Lounge, some members also received an 8 by 8 Shutterfly photo book. And former members reportedly received $50 credits that can be used at any Marriott property: At least that's an actual incentive to book a future stay.

"They were worried [American Airlines] was making them look bad," one Lounge member joked.

Not to be a total Grinch here, but at least American Airlines gave gifts that (theoretically) got travelers excited about booking future trips — Marriott seems to be telling its most valuable members to turn their homes into hotels.

But hey, who doesn't love a fancy candle?

The Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques has stores from some of your favorite Marriott brands. There are luxury shops from Edition, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection, plus places to stock up on your favorite linens and dishware from Fairfield, Courtyard, Sheraton and more.

Basically, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite members may now have a gift card to Marriott's version of Bed, Bath and Beyond. And sure, you could put that $100 toward a Westin Heavenly Bed or a Marriott waffle-weave robe. But if you really want to spread some holiday cheer this year, skip the practical purchases and check out some of the outrageous gifts we promise you won't find anywhere else.

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Outrageous gifts

Bowling ball

Missing those leisurely days spent simultaneously bowling and clubbing at the Miami Edition? I don't know if this bowling ball will help, but hey — maybe you have a professional bowler on your holiday gift list.

You can get a 10- or 12-pound Olivia Steele-designed bowling ball for a discounted price of $272 right now at the Edition shop. In case you were wondering (we were), you'll pay about $45 in shipping and handling on this bowling ball — and you have to drill your own holes, too.

Black-tie attire

Make date night a black-tie affair when you give your bed a polyester cummerbund ($310) and a bow tie throw pillow ($225.25) from the W French Quarter. Your room will be ready for the red carpet, though you won't be, because you will have spent all your money on decorative accessories for your mattress and not a tuxedo.

Bone magnifying glass

We know you'll be reading a lot of fine print in the coming year, so splurge on this Buffalo bone magnifying glass from The Ritz-Carlton shop (from $128, depending on size).

Globe-trotter suitcase

I'm not going to lie, I legitimately love this vintage-inspired suitcase collection by British luggage brand Globe-Trotter. But not enough to spend $2,005 (ahem, sorry, $1,905 after your Ambassador gift credit).

If you're looking for the most bourgeois suitcase money can buy, this trunk-style bag has white leather and gold metal details, plus a cotton linen lining depicting a scavenger map of Mykonos, Athens, Santorini or Messinia. I've seen flights to Greece for less.

Foxy throw

Last year, before the world ended, I spent a couple of days at the W Montreal. And I have never gotten over the faux fur throw that, on its reverse, had leather-like fox details. If only I had known I could get my own faux fox throw for less than $500!

Get yours on sale now for $420.75 from the W shop. Just keep in mind that this is very thin, narrow and not particularly soft, as it's meant to be arranged on the edge of your bed in a decorative way. You can't use it as a blanket.

Saint-Louis Bloody Mary glassware

You're a Marriott Ambassador Elite, not a peasant! You only drink your Bloody Marys out of Saint-Louis highball glassware. This set of four glasses comes in vibrant colors (chartreuse, red, light and dark blue) and includes a recipe book with 10 Bloody Mary recipes from St. Regis properties around the world.

I want to make fun of this gift, which will set you back $1,800 and doesn't even come with vodka, but St. Regis invented the Bloody Mary so I guess they can do whatever they want. Cheers!

Very expensive poufs

Do you want to fill your house with furniture that looks hard, prickly and extremely uncomfortable?

You can use your cactus pouf from the Renaissance collection as a footstool or a seat, and you can use the Edition's marble pouf to trick your friends into thinking you're very strong, when in fact you're just very rich. Originally priced at $1,800, you can now get a pouf for $1,630 or $1,530, respectively.

Fairfield sheet set

Westin might be known for its Heavenly Bed, but for travelers who aren't quite as discerning, Fairfield Inn lets you get an entire king sheet set for only $138.60 — plus 30% off, meaning you really can't afford not to buy these sheets.

Described as "crisp yet cozy," which we're pretty sure means stiff and paper-thin, these sheets will go great with your Four Seasons pillow set.

Practical gifts if you want to spend under $100

If you recently found yourself in possession of a $100 voucher to the Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques and you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on decorative home items (we can't imagine why not), there are, fortunately, plenty of products that make great gifts for friends and family — or yourself. After all, you earned it.

Le Labo amenities

Everyone loves Le Labo bath products, and you can score yours in the signature Edition Hotels fragrance. Get the shampoo and conditioner set for $91.80 right now.

Turkish throw blanket

Authentic Turkish foutas from The Ritz-Carlton shop ($79.20) are serious crowd-pleasers. These lightweight throws get softer with every wash and are perfect for sitting outside on a balmy spring or summer night.

Etched wine glasses

If your first or last name starts with the letter B, you can pretend these Courtyard Marriott wine glasses (on sale for $10.47 each) have been specially monogrammed, since they come with an etched B detail to remind you they're actually from The Bistro.

A scented candle

Candles are expensive no matter where you buy them, so you might as well put your $100 gift card to good use. Try the cult-favorite Edition candle ($68) or the signature St. Regis candle (also $68), which is inspired by Caroline Astor and smells like high society.

Spa bathrobe

We all know the robes you get at the spa are almost always better than the robes you find in your hotel room closet. You can get this ultrasoft J.W. Marriott microfiber spa robe on sale for $92 right now.

Bottom line

The Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques have plenty of reasonable items that can transport travel-starved jetsetters to their favorite Marriott properties, or help Ambassador Elites knock items off their holiday shopping list. There are iconic bath products and, of course, a dizzying amount of scented candles and pillows.

But before you put your $100 gift toward a sheet set or another pair of Frette slippers (that, let's be honest, you already took home the last time you stayed at a hotel), just remember: You could be drinking mai tais out of a copper pineapple. And your gift voucher will almost cover the entire pineapple — not including shipping and taxes.