How things have changed since 1959 when Stanley Marcus first unleashed his Christmas catalogue on the world, filled with over-the-top luxe trips & fabulous non-necessities. What was then a clever marketing strategy has since turned in to a 152 page multi-million dollar advertising bonanza, estimated to be between $9 to $15 million. From pet camels to trips to space to baubles costing six figures, the book is a textbook exercise in naked aspiration. "It's been a good selling season so far, so we're optimistic the trends will continue," Brendan Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of NM Direct, recently told WWD. Some gifts from the Neiman Marcus Holiday book for the recipient who’s got it all: - Limited edition pet home: $5,000 - Diamond cuffs: $128,000 - Limited edition (to 50) BMW M6 convertible: $139,000 - Backyard water park for the kids: starts at $100,000 - Recumbent motorized bike for two: $40,000 - GG Quad four wheeler: $56,465 - Sculpture fashioned from pencils of a skyscraper: $40,000 - A trip on Virgin’s Galactic space flight (in 2009) followed by four days at Richard Branson’s private Caribbean island hideaway with the billionaire himself: $1.8 million - The complete 3,488 illustration, 26 volume archive of fashion design legend Jacques Fath, plus three original dresses: $3.5 million - Lifetime membership in Massimo Ferragamo's private Tuscan resort of 16th- and 17th-century villas and Club at Castiglion del Bosco opening in September for 120 lucky members with a golf course, vineyards & equestrian center: - : $3.8 million - An auction for a travel package to six pro sports championships plus dining with A-list athletes such as Troy Aikman, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky & Arnold Palmer (this gift redeems itself by merit of the fact that all the proceed benefit the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation which fights against domestic violence) - For those with more modest tastes (or non-millionaire bank accounts) can no doubt scrape the $40 necessary for a tin of gourmet popcorn.

• Neiman Marcus Holiday Catalogue
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