Holiday season is looming close, close enough to kick off gift shopping. That only means one thing for luxe lovers- flipping open the Neiman Marcus Christmas Gift Book for 2014. And if our list of top 5 most extravagant things to buy from the Neiman Marcus 2013 Christmas Gift Book served as anything, then this year’s festive five will only ‘quintuple’ the experience.
Or in this case, make it six times the fun. As if a trip to New Orleans weren’t dream enough for Jazz enthusiasts already, this five-day experience crafted around the city’s ultimate carnival is ‘the’ greatest holiday for you, your partner and your posse. Think, a stay in the heart of the French Quarter at the luxurious Audubon Cottages, a jazz brunch at Commander’s Palace, dinner in the city’s largest restaurant and Mardi Gras museum, Arnaud’s. Not to mention, a special Valentine’s Day meal at renowned Gautreau’s, since the carnival falls in February 2015. You’ll even receive behind-the-scenes tours of local art galleries and attend a private concert and dinner at the legendary Preservation Hall. The trip culminates with a Lundi Gras evening ride in the spectacular Orpheus Parade, followed by the black-tie Orpheus Ball, all under a $1,25,000 sum.
4) Tanqueray No. Ten Imperial Shaker by Jason Crawley
Looking to throw your own Mardi Gras themed party? Not that that beats the actual thing. But you might just come close with what could only be called, the world’s coolest cocktail-making machine. What’s more is it comes with a one-year supply of Tanqueray No. Ten and a personal cocktail education session by a Tanqueray mixology expert for up to twenty guests. Recreated from a nineteenth-century drawing under the meticulous guidance of spirits impresario Jason Crawley, the 5′-tall Imperial Shaker is stunning in cast iron, brass, copper, and silver materials and creates an elliptical shake (versus a pedestrian up-and-down shake). Surely the most creative of collectibles for any connoisseur, it is priced at $35,000.
If, however, you’re a twosome whose plans tend to involve more adrenaline inducing activities than cocktail mixing, this adventurous and fashionable His & Hers Vilebrequin Quadski might be just the buy for you this season. A jet ski meets ATV, it accelerates up to 45 mph on land or water, thanks to its 1300cc BMW engine, and has been hailed as the world’s best high-speed amphibian. Imagine a machine that converts from a water cruiser to land rover in just under five seconds. Snag these straight-from-the-future vessels at $50,000 each. The price includes a trip to Gibbs test facility in Florida for a safety briefing followed by the first experience on your very own Quadski.
Slightly more old school? Say, old school enough to think that straight-from-the-future belongs in, well, the future? Fret not. Neiman Marcus has even taken care of your adrenaline pumping needs, in this case, with a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine (produced in collaboration with Ferrari) that can catapult you from 0 to 60 in a mere 4.7 seconds. Sensuous and fearsome at once, the Ghibli (named after the North African wind) in gorgeous Grigio Maratea is one of 100 extraordinary vehicles built to mark the Italian car company’s 100th anniversary. And its price is set at $95,000.
1. Vanity Fair Academy Awards Experience
Lights! Cameras! Action! Suite at The Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel! Cocktails at Sunset Tower! Dinner at Chateau Marmont! If those are a few of your favorite things, then those are few of the things you and your loved one will get along with party day perks such as hair styling, makeup application, wardrobe (a $5,000 gift card), jewelry on loan, and professional styling by Neiman Marcus’ own Catherine Bloom. And of course, Vanity Fair Academy Awards Experience. Spread over three nights and two days, this one’s for a whopping $425,000.
