Mmm, do you smell that? No, it's not freshly brewed pumpkin spice lattes you're sensing — it's the scent of all the hot-off-the-presses Neiman Marcus Christmas Books being shipped off to land on 750,000 doorsteps across the country this year. The tome is celebrating its 90th issue, but that's not why we're so excited. The arrival of this extremely fancy catalogue signals the beginning of the holiday season — not because we're actually starting our shopping in October, but because we get to look at all the hilariously expensive gifts the Dallas-based department store has scouted out as part of its Fantasy Gifts category.
The Christmas Book is 300 pages (and 700 products) strong. Every year, the folks at Neiman Marcus narrow down all the things money can buy — and we mean all the things — to a handful of one-of-a-kind packages you don't simply put a bow on.
In 2015, for instance, the standout was a trip to the edge of the world with a suggested retail price of $90,000. (Although it wasn't even the most expensive experience on the list — that honor went to a $400,000 trip to India.) The exorbitant price tags aren't just for novelty's sake: Part of the proceeds from most of the gifts in this category go to various charities. This year, the organizations include The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, the Grammy Foundation, and the Akola Project.
The 2016 assortment really runs the gamut of price ranges, starting at just $25 for an Akola bracelet to a whopping $1,500,000 for a rose-gold private plane — for the ultimate debonair on your list. The gifts range from experiential (A night at the Grammys! A week in the English countryside to live your best Downtown Abbey life!) to straight-up transportation (his-and-hers Lilly Pulitzer-branded island cars, anyone?). Ahead, check out 11 outrageous gifts that made the cut this season. If you're so inclined, start nudging your most generous loved one, ASAP.
A trip for you and seven friends to three different country estates in England (Alnwick Castle, Wilton House, and Blenheim Palace) for seven days: $700,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A limited-edition Infiniti Q60 designed exclusively for Neiman Marcus that comes with a leather weekender bag, an indoor car cover, a plaque commemorating the model and a letter of authenticity: $63,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A night out for two at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in February, including lodging at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, two $1,000 Neiman Marcus gift cards to pick out a get-up with a personal shopper for the evening, hair, makeup, a backstage tour of the venue during rehearsals, an invitation to the Pre-Grammy Gala, a signed poster, a one-of-a-kind gold guitar, and, of course, a walk down the red carpet: $500,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A daylong training session for you and three friends with former quarterback Joe Montana in the San Francisco area, which includes a photo op and a personalized football: $65,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
His and hers island cars decked with Lilly Pulitzer prints and stocked with branded totes, towels, swim trunks, and caftans: $65,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A collection of Caldecott Medal-winning children's books, consisting of 36 titles awarded the prize since 1938, in their first edition or an early printing: $100,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
For the optimist, an Akola bracelet made of hand-rolled paper and recycled-glass beads, with proceeds going to the Akola Project, benefitting marginalized women across the globe: $25.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
For the pessimist, a specially designed king-size mattress that has a fireproof lockbox hidden inside: $25,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A rose-gold Cobalt Valkyrie-X private plane, which fits three passengers and grants you two years of around-the-clock technical support in the U.S.: $1,500,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A walk-on role on the Broadway show Waitress, complete with four tickets, a meet and greet with the cast, and a pie-making lesson: $30,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
A slumber party for you and 11 friends at Neiman Marcus' flagship, where each guest gets monogrammed pajamas and a variety of beauty treatments from Le Métier de Beauté, as well as time in the Precious Jewels Salon, a fashion presentation with Fashion Director Ken Downing, a movie screening, and food throughout: $120,000.
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