The Most Luxurious Offerings From Neiman Marcus’ ‘Fantasy Gift Guide’

October 30, 2016 5:00 am
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

 

For many people, Neiman Marcus’ Christmas Book catalog has become a go-to source for over-the-top gift ideas. This year’s edition keeps that tradition alive with a well-curated selection of gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list, no matter how esoteric their tastes may be.

The 2016 Christmas Book contains 300 pages and over 700 items, nearly half of which are under $250. These are selected from a pool of thousands of submissions, and this year’s selection features 10 fantasy gift concepts and 12 actual gifts, the most expensive of which is the $1.5 million Cobalt Valkyrie-X Private Plane. The least expensive, meanwhile, is a $25 Optimist/Pessimist bracelet.

Check out the RealClearLife guide to Neiman Marcus’ fantasy gifts below.

Week-Long English Estates Trip

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

Mowbray and Windsor provides you and seven of your friends the chance to stay in a three English country estates over the course of a week. The trip begins in London, and continues via helicopter to 900-year-old Alnwick Castle, home to the 12th Duke of Northumberland. The next stop? The 18th Earl of Pembroke’s Wilton House, where you can take polo lessons and drive vintage motorcars around the grounds. The trip ends at Blenheim Palace, former home of Winston Churchill (if you’re wondering, the 12th Duke of Marlborough now resides there). There, you’ll get more of the same: wining, dining, and culture galore.

With the purchase of the English Estates package, Neiman Marcus will donate $20,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. The seven-day trip costs $700,000.


 

Cobalt Valkyrie-X Private Plane

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

If only Goldfinger had been a rose-gold type of guy, he would’ve been all over this puppy. The Cobalt Valkyrie-X private plane was created by aerospace engineer and Cobalt founder David Loury, and will be one of the fastest aircrafts of its size in the world when it hits the market in 2017. The plane seats a pilot and three passengers, and has a 350 hp engine that can hit speeds up to 230 mph, with a range of up to 1,150 ground miles. The interiors are just as classy as the rose-gold exterior: leather seats are hand-stitched suede-like Alcantara, and the plane will have one of the largest one-piece canopies in the marketplace. Even the controls are rose gold. The gift comes with 24/7 technical support in the United States for two years.

With the purchase of each plane, Neiman Marcus will donate $200,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. The Cobalt Valkyrie-X is available for $1,500,000.


Exclusive Grammy Awards Experience

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
WireImage

A trip to the 59th Annual Grammy Awards is, believe it or not, a gift orchestrated just for Neiman Marcus customers. In mid-February, you and a guest will travel to Los Angeles and stay at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. You’ll get two $1,000 Neiman Marcus gift cards; and Catherine Bloom, who shops for the stars, will be unleashed at Neiman Marcus’ Beverly Hills location to make sure all of your styles are of the utmost quality (and haute-est couture). On Friday, Feb. 10, you and your guest get to see the Grammys rehearsals and a backstage tour. On Saturday, you’ll attend Clive Davis’ and The Recording Academy’s pre-Grammy gala. And on the day of the Grammys, you’ll again check out rehearsals and get a second tour before hitting the red carpet with every star in the book. The recipient will also take home an official 59th Annual Grammy Awards poster autographed by show talent, and a one-of-a-kind gold Gibson Les Paul ’59 Reissue guitar.

The purchase of the Grammy Awards experience includes a $250,000 donation to support the musical education programs created by the Grammy Foundation. This gift, which costs $500,000, is limited to one customer.

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
WireImage

Infiniti Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

The Infiniti Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition is based on the ultimate Red Sport 400 version of the all-new 2017 Infiniti Q60, this 400 hp showstopper comes in a gleaming Solar Mica color. The car features a ton of awesome specs, including a direct adaptive steering system (an industry first), dynamic digital suspension, and a Bose Performance Series sound system. Besides the wheels, you’ll receive an exclusive ivory leather weekender bag, a plaque with the car’s VIN number on it, a Neiman Marcus–branded indoor car cover, and a letter of authenticity.

With the purchase of each vehicle, Infiniti will donate $1,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Reserve this car by calling 844-367-6971, beginning promptly at noon EDT on November 2, 2016. Part of an exclusive run with 50 cars available, the Infiniti Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition has a price tag of $63,000


Walk-On Role in the Broadway Musical ‘Waitress’

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

Married to a Broadway fan? Give him or her the ultimate theater-themed gift, with this walk-on role in Broadway musical Waitress, with music and lyrics by five-time Grammy Award nominee Sara Bareilles. The gift includes four premium show tickets, a meet-and-greet with the Waitress cast, and a pie-making session with Waitress‘ “pie consultant” (yes, there is such a thing as a “dream job”).

With the purchase of the Broadway musical Waitress walk-on role, Neiman Marcus will donate $22,500 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Priced at $30,000, this gift is limited to one customer.


 

His and Hers Neiman Marcus Island Cars

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

Nothing like making everyone happy. These his-and-hers bespoke vehicles are just like the ones seen around Monaco and Cannes in the 1950s and ’60s, and are hand-built by Island Car Limited. Running on powerful and clean electric motors with long range batteries, they’re basically adult toy cars—but with real-deal Holyfield sound systems that feature Bose speakers and Bluetooth capabilities. Those prints on the seats? From fashion designer (and top socialite) Lilly Pulitzer. The gift also comes with totes, towels, and swim trunks for him and caftan dresses for her.

With the purchase of each His and Hers Neiman Marcus Island Car, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Each car costs $65,000 and is available in a limited production of 10.


 

Curated Collection of 36 Caldecott Medal–Winning Books

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

This curated collection of 36 Caldecott Medal–winning children’s books is perfect for kids of any age. These classic books span nearly eight decades, all of them having been awarded the Caldecott Medal for “the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” Better yet? Each book is a first edition or early printing in its original dust jacket, so they carry serious collectible value as well. And the sources are legit: The collection was pieced together by two top rare book sellers from New England.

With the purchase of the curated collection of 36 Caldecott Medal-winning children’s books, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. This $100,000 gift is limited to one customer.


 

Gifts for the ‘Pessimist and the Optimist’

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

A throwback to the 1970 Christmas Book has been modernized for today’s “Optimist and Pessimist.” This year’s reinterpretation includes an Akola bracelet for the Optimist and a king-sized mattress with a camouflaged lockbox for the Pessimist.

For the Pessimist: Mattress with Built-in Lockbox

With this gift, you can literally hide your money under your mattress. The fireproof, impenetrable lockbox is built inside an actual king-size mattress. Gingerich Built/Monterey Mattress is behind this nifty safe, with the mattress itself fashioned from premium padding and springs, certified-sustainable Canadian lumber, organic cotton, wool, and latex foam rubber. (In other words, it’s actually comfortable.)

With the purchase of each mattress, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. The Gingerich Built/Monterey Mattress with lockbox sells for $25,000.

For the Optimist: Akola Bracelet

This bracelet features hand-rolled paper beads in black or white, a recycled-glass bead, and two accent disks plated in 18-karat gold. With the purchase of an Akola bracelet, Neiman Marcus will donate $25 to the Akola Project. The bracelet is priced at $25.


 

Private Quarterback Camp With Joe Montana

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)

Ever wish you could run Dwight Clark’s famous route and have the guy that threw him the ball do it for you? The recipient and three friends of this incredible gift will train for a day in the San Francisco area with former 49ers QB Joe Montana. He’ll even help you draw up plays and review the day’s footage with him, and you’ll take home a photo with him and a personalized football. (Obviously, make sure one of those plays ends in “The Catch.”)

With the purchase of the one-day quarterback camp with Joe Montana, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is truly so, limited to one customer, and costs $65,000.

(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
AP

 

You can peruse the 2016 Christmas Book here. Or if you’d prefer to stick with the luxe life exclusively, the 2016 Fantasy Gift Guide is also available online here.

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