What have you brought for your near and dear ones this Christmas? A watch for the hubby? Or a silk tie for Dad? Well how about going crazy this Christmas and buying something like a yacht! Well of course you would either have to be filthy rich or spend your entire life savings. I would suggest not doing that of course. But if you can actually splurge on something very very extravagant this holiday season and not end up on the streets doing so, then Neiman Marcus’ Christmas Catalogue 2011 has some very interesting ideas to choose from. If you are new to the whole most expensive gifts ideas thing then let me enlighten you further. This actually happens to be 85th edition of the book and every year this list gets better and better or shall I say pricier. So without much further ado, let me present to you this year’s Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.
1) His and Hers 2011 Dancing Fountain by WET
For $1million, you will be able to get yourself a snazzy fountain by WET who since 1983 have been pioneers in the field of creative fountains, an example being the Dubai fountain. The His and Hers 2011 Dancing Fountain is one of their best work so far. They have managed to set the nozzles in such a way that the patterns created by the fountain resemble a couple dancing together in unison. That would be an interesting sight! And if you get bored of that, you can always imagine yourself to be in some romantic movie with you and your partner dancing under the fountain. Plus $10,000 from each sale will go as donation to the WATER.ORG, which provides clean water to developing nations.
2)Â International Flower Show by Jetway Private Air
If you are someone who loves to go to flower shows, then this would be like a dream trip for you. For around $420,000, you and nine of your friends or family can tour all over Europe, stay at the best hotels and enjoy the sights and smells of the world’s loveliest flowers. Starting from Merges, Switzerland, you will move on to Athens, Greece, then Avignon, France, and finally London. So that’s your EuroTrip. But don’t think that it would be some fleeting trip with just some flower shows. You will get to stay in luxurious hotels, enjoy spa treatments, eat gourmet meals and do lots more. $5,000 will go to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center that promotes sustainable horticulture.
3) Limited edition Ferrari FF
A Ferrari is a sure way to get guys drooling. And the luxury car company invariably brings out something special for the holidays. This time around they have brought out a car exclusively for Neiman Marcus. Called, Ferrari FF, 10 lucky customers will get to take home this $395,000 limited edition car. The engine and the body is as good as any other Ferrari car. But they have tweaked the interiors a bit. Instead of the usual semi-aniline leather that is used, they will be using a softer version. So that means more comfort for you.
4) Hacker Craft Speed Boat
From the road we move on to the seas. This one is a 27 feet wooden beauty from the Neiman Marcus catalogue. It comes with a 8.2 marine engine capable of 425 HP capacity. You can relax and enjoy the view or feel the wind in your hair. The other noteworthy additions are a fridge, a humidor to store your cigars and a stereo system. Again only 10 of these have been made. A perfect gift for someone who loves to be out in the water. But its gonna cost you $250,000. From that a donation of $2,000 will be made to Double H Ranch that rehabilitates families with children afflicted with life-threatening diseases.
5)Â Assouline custom made library
Now this is something I personally would love! A custom made library sounds more like redecorating your house but it does sound like a really good gift for someone who loves to read. Assouline offers custom made libraries, which means that from the decor to the books on the shelves, everything is taken care of. All you have to do is tell them about your taste and preferences. No iPads here. This is book reading, the old school way. This would come with a price tag of $125,000.
6)Â The Dream Folly Tent
This tent by Rainier Yurts is no ordinary tent my friends. By the looks of it, it appears nothing less than a palace room. No wonder its cost comes upto $75,00. Want to be lost in your thoughts? Then this would be the ideal abode for you. One can set this tent measuring 18 feet diameter up in one’s garden. Now to the palace room bit. The insides of this tent has a Sunbrella exterior lining, mixed grain lattice system, plexi glass door, hand crafted upholstery, a bejewelled chandelier by Julie Neill Designs. Plus, you get to choose the colouring. $5,000 from each sale would go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
7)Â Tom Burr Ping Pong Table
I am not sure about a Ping Pong table with a price tag of $45,000, but if you have that kind of cash to splurge or just some ping pong fan then the Tom Burr ping pong table would be a nice purchase. Apparently, this table is made of high grade black rubber that gives it an extra bounce when you play table tennis on it. Definitely looks sleek especially with the black opaque ‘net’ in between. As all the other gifts, some money, in this case $2,500 will go to a charity, this time, the Big Brother Big Sisters who are in the field of children’s welfare.
8) A Trip to Stone Barns Farm
Nestled in the Pocantico Hills, 25 miles away from Manhattan is the Stone Barns Farm. For $9,500, 6 people will get a hands on experience of farm life. Famer Jack Algiere will tell the guests how to make gardens in their own homes. Then Chef Adam Kaye will cook a multi course meal from the fresh produce of the farm and give them some cooking tips as well. Its not all too expensive and sounds like a nice outdoorsy idea. Proceeds from this trip will go to the Stone Barns Center that endeavours to keep the area in top shape.
9) Johnnie Walker private Scotch Tasting Session
This one would be a dream trip for all the scotch fans. You and 20 others can get their very own Johnnie Walker scotch tasting session where they will get to taste all the malts of the label, right from Red Label to the most expensive Blue Label. A Master of Whiskey will tell you all about the history of the drink and how to savour the taste to get your money’s worth. The guests will also get to take home a bottle of the fine Blue Label as a souvenir. The only thing is that you have to be above the age of 21 to come to this event. All the proceeds from this one would go to AIDS Research and Cure.
All wonderful gift ideas. But they definitely are very extravagant gifts as well.  So if you don’t have that kind of dough on you, then you can just admire and yearn to have it some day.  Sigh!!
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