Carolyn Bessette once gifted Lee Radziwill a Christmas present from Hermes. Instead, she received drugstore items

In 1996, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Lee Radziwill experienced a memorable gift exchange that drew attention. This event occurred after Carolyn married John F. Kennedy Jr. that year. Carolyn, well-known for her elegance, gifted Radziwill – a close relative of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – an exquisite Hermès blanket. In a surprising twist, Radziwill responded with a drugstore gift, PEOPLE reported.

According to RoseMarie Terenzio, JFK Jr.'s personal assistant and friend of Carolyn and John, Radziwill presented her with plastic Goody hair clips and scrunchies from the local drugstore. "It was quite the contrast," she noted, reflecting on the unexpected nature of the exchange.

Terenzio recounted the story during a holiday event in New York City while promoting "JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography." During the discussion, which Liz McNeil co-authored, Terenzio explained that Carolyn admired Lee. "Carolyn loved Lee," Terenzio remarked. However, John's decision to exclude Lee from their intimate wedding on Cumberland Island in September was notable. Terenzio theorized, "John knew she wouldn’t keep the celebration under wraps."

The lack of an invitation led to a playful but pointed exchange on Christmas. Terenzio shared that John had concerns about potential breaches of privacy, but Carolyn found herself caught in the middle. "Carolyn thought, ‘How could you not invite your mom’s sister?’" she said, highlighting the family dilemma.

The humor in their Christmas exchange stayed on Terenzio’s mind. While Carolyn gave Lee an expensive blanket, Lee reciprocated with hair clips. "Carolyn opened her gift to find that it was a box of hair clips from Duane Reade, beautifully wrapped," Terenzio recalled.

Carolyn reacted positively, saying, "I actually think this is hysterical." Terenzio explained, "Lee's gift seemed to say, ‘F--- you for not inviting me to your wedding.’" Despite the apparent clash between their gift choices, Carolyn appreciated Lee’s boldness and sense of humor. "In the end, Carolyn got a big kick out of Lee," Terenzio concluded.

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