What is the first thing that you think of once the ghouls and goblins of Halloween retreat into the shadows for another year?
If it is whether Halloween (and for that matter Easter) are part of a nefarious plot by the American Dental Association to spread tooth decay and higher dental expenses, you need counseling. If you are a politician, it probably relates to Election Day, delusional thoughts of political grandeur or your own political mortality. If you are a retailer, it is probably on thoughts of the most joyous of spending seasons – Christmas-Hanukkah-Kwanzaa.
Some retailers are so excited about the holiday season that they began putting holiday trees and other holiday decorations out as early as Labor Day this year.
Another time honored tradition is the shopping catalogue. Once upon a time, people looked forward to receiving the Sears catalogue as many rural areas relied on that catalogue to give them insight into shopping ideas and trends from the big city. As consumer preferences changed, the Sears catalogue ceased publication slightly over a decade ago.
Today’s consumer is increasing fascinated with often unattainable fantasy gifts like those in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book – a guide to some of the most expensive and ostentatious gifts for the holiday season.
Front and center amongst their fantasy gifts is a $150,000 motorcycle designed by Keanu Reeves called the KRGT-1 Arch Motorcycle. Prefer four wheels? How about a Neiman Marcus Limited Edition 700+ horse powered Mustang Convertible for a paltry $95,000?
Maybe you know a Kentucky Bourbon fan. For only $125,000, you can partake in “The Orphan Bottle Project” which is a chance for you and five friends to visit the ‘legendary’ Stitzel-Weller Distillery and create two Orphan Barrel variants from ‘long-forgotten rare whiskies that the distillery hand bottles with labels designed especially for you. You will also receive twenty-four more bottles of rare whiskies and a whisky cabinet made in Kentucky.
Interested in travel? How about a ‘dream trip to India’? Priced at $400,000, let’s hope this isn’t a nightmare. This trip takes twelve days and shuttles you by private planes and vintage cars to the finest that India has to offer. Additionally, you get private cricket lessons, dance lessons on a Bollywood film set and a ceremonial bridal burning on the Ganges River.*
If you prefer to visit a developed country instead of an emerging one, how about Italy? For only $150,000, you and three guests will join noted jewelry designer, Ippolita Rotagno, on a seven day art tour in Florence and Venice. Ippy will introduce you to some of Italy’s most acclaimed artists and guide you through some of their finest museums. At night, you will partake in the best of Italian cuisine.
If that is all too rich for you, Neiman Marcus are selling $2,500 backgammon sets, $3,900 3D printers and a $1,750 teddy bear backpack. For something to wear, they have Tom Ford sneakers for $790, calfskin vests at $6,290, knit winter caps for $225 and Manolo Blahnik shoes for $985. As an accessory, Prada has a nice matching clutch and satchel set for $3,490.
If you prefer to shop in bulk to save money, try their assortment of 25 thongs delivered in a cookie jar for $500.
For the pampered audiophile, how about white or black leather Fendi headphones by Dr. Dre for a cool $1,200?
(* Note: While there are thousands of cases of husbands burning their wives to death in India each year as a brutal form of divorce without alimony, this is not part of the trip. I just wanted to mention this barbaric act that needs to be stopped. )
Haddon Libby is Managing Partner of Winslow Drake, an investment advisory firm and can be reached at hlibby@winslowdrake.com.
