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We have listed out 25 of the best most expensive gifts that money can buy. Have fun!
1. Project Utopia
Price: £100 million-plus (over $155.98 million)
Project Utopia is the most expensive gift on this holiday gift guide to the most expensive gifts. Possibly inspired by the villain’s lair in Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me”, this 11-storey floating island looks intimidating. The unconfirmed price will deter all but the richest of Bond fans this Christmas.
But for those who can afford it, this could well be the star of your 2011 holiday shopping spree. Project Utopia may resemble an alien craft, but it is designed for planet earth. It is stable on the high seas and offers several helipads and a docking station for smaller boats. The top deck houses an observatory that stands 65 meters above sea level and offers 360-degree views of the surroundings.
2. Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewelry Collection
Price: $30 million
Elizabeth Taylor was unarguably one of the most beautiful women to grace Hollywood screens. Her love for bling was also well known. So when the late Hollywood star’s personal collection goes up on auction on 13 December at Christie’s you had better be there. The star lots include a range of stunning pieces of jewelry, including a Peregrina pearl that was a gift from Richard Burton, and diamonds from Mike Toddwill. If you are looking to win brownie points from your wife or girlfriend this Christmas, make the Liz Taylor auction part of your holiday shopping adventure.
3. Virgin Oceanic
Price: $10 million
Richard Branson has his fingers in many profitable pies. One of these is the Virgin Oceanic, a $10 million project that is designed to take well-heeled customers on an underwater joyride. Work is still underway on the Virgin Oceanic, and it should take a few years before the first commercial deep-sea journey is undertaken. But you could keep this one in mind as you go scouting for the most expensive things to gift for Christmas.
4. Amour, Amour Dog Collar
Price: $3.2 million
While you are buying expensive gifts for everybody else, don’t forget your faithful four-legged friend. Other gift guides may not provide too many options for your pooch, but here is a gem that your pet dog would love – the Amour, Amour dog collar. Described by Forbes as “the Bugatti of dog collars”, this $3.2 million masterpiece is also the world’s most expensive dog collar. It features 1,600 diamonds including a 7-carat centerpiece, set in white gold. The crocodile leather collar adds to the plush appeal of this canine accessory.
5. Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra 2011
Price: $2.5 million
Don’t play it safe with your holiday shopping this Christmas. Since you are buying the most expensive things and are looking at unique gift ideas, why not surprise your partner with the $2.5 million bra that Miranda Kerr modeled at the latest edition of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The 18-karat white and yellow gold bra features 3,400 precious stones including diamonds (142 carats worth), pearls, citrines and aquamarines. All the stones have been set by hand. The bra itself took 500 hours to complete. It is the perfect gift for a cozy Christmas at home.
6. Rent Abramovich’s Gigayacht Eclipse
Price: $2 million per week
Only someone as wealthy as Roman Abramovich could have purchased the $485 million Eclipse. This gigantic gigayacht is the ultimate in luxury living, and it could be yours this Christmas. Invest in a holiday experience this year, instead of in a host of expensive gifts. Shell out $2 million, and this luxury yacht is yours for a week.
7. Dancing Fountains
Price: $1 million
Looking for unique gift ideas? Check out these Dancing Fountains from WET (the company that created the famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas). Of course, you will probably need a bottomless purse. Plus, these personal fountains will require a lot of space. But if neither money nor space is a problem, these $1 million fountains might provide the best cap to your 2011 holiday shopping. Need more reason to buy this? $10,000 from each purchase will go towards providing safe drinking water and sanitation in developing countries.
8. Fitted Kitchen By Marazzi Design
Price: $463,625
A home remains incomplete without a well-equipped kitchen. And if we are talking about a luxury mansion, the kitchen is bound to be a little pricey. Take the case of the world’s most expensive fitted kitchen. Created by UK-based firm Marazzi Design, this luxury kitchen features an array of super-expensive equipment, including a $10,357 two-tonne Rorgue cooker from Gordon Ramsay. Time to whip out a gourmet meal of truffles and oysters, maybe?
9. Dolce & Gabbana’s DG2027B Sunglasses
Price: $383,609
Make a splash this winter by gifting the most expensive sunglasses in the world. Designed by Dolce & Gabbana, this stunning pair features a gold frame that provides the bling and brown tinted glasses that offer the cool quotient. But at $383,609, it will blow a hole into your holiday shopping budget.
10. Heels By Christopher Michael Shellis
Price: £140,000 ($218,407)
A woman can never have enough high heels. So you can do no wrong by buying this uber-expensive pair by Christopher Michael Shellis for your lady love. Crafted out of solid gold and studded with 2,200 brilliant-cut diamonds worth 30 carats, this pair is literally jewelry for her feet.
11. Virgin Galactic Space Trip
Price: $200,000
The problem with this gift is that it can only be redeemed two years from now, when Virgin Galactic makes its maiden commercial voyage to space. But if you are keen that you and your family be a part of history, sign up for the inaugural space adventure. Hurry, because only 500 seats are available for the first flight, and 450 of these had already been booked by October this year.
12. Zafirro Razor
Price: $100,000
You can’t compromise on shaving. But would you pay $100,000 for the most expensive razor in the world? The special edition Zafirro razor is limited to only 99 pieces and promises the closest shave. Instead of the usual stainless steel blades, this razor features artificial sapphire, and is 1/10,000th the width of a hair. The medical grade stainless steel cartridge and iridium handle adds to its luxury quotient. If you want to impress with your unique gift ideas, this may well figure on your holiday shopping list.
13. Dream Folly Tent
Price: $75,000
We have heard of glamping (luxury camping, for the uninitiated), but rarely have we seen a tent as lavish as this one. Featured in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, this ostentatious outdoor home measures 18 feet in diameter and offers a range of expensive furnishings and goodies inside. We especially love the bespoke crystal chandelier from Julie Neill Designs. Plus, Neiman Marcus will be donating $5,000 from each sale to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Christmas, after all, is a time for giving.
14. Goldsmith Jack Row Pen
Price: $43,500
Islamic design and modern London architecture provide inspiration for the Goldsmith Jack Row pen. The stunning writing tool is studded with 0.90 carats of diamonds set on white gold. We love the white gold filigree work on the outer body of the pen. The sterling silver inner barrel is plated with rhodium and 22-carat gold. Meanwhile, the nib is 18-karat yellow gold. It is the perfect gift for that luxury-loving writer friend.
15. The Row’s Alligator Backpack
Price: $39,000
Backpacks shouldn’t be too expensive. Or so you think. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s label, The Row, was offering a $39,000 backpack made of alligator leather. The simple design makes it a perfect fit for any casual chic look. But whether you would be comfortable placing a water-bottle inside this expensive bag is another matter altogether.
16. Dandy Trunk
Price: $35,000
People who love to travel will love this stunning Dandy Trunk by T.T. Trunks. The handcrafted trunk is perfect for gadget-loving frequent fliers, for it features a separate power pack for storing mobile phones. There is also a separate iPad holder, in addition to special compartments for cigars, spirits and poker chips. The solid brass skeleton can be plated in nickel, palladium or 24-karat gold. And customization is an available option.
17. Fonderie 47 Cufflinks
Price: 30,000 Swiss Francs (about US$32,659)
Christmas is the season helping others. So why not help end violence in Africa? The Fonderie 47 cufflinks are currently the world’s most expensive cufflinks, but they have another selling point. These cufflinks are created from the metal of AK-47 rifles retrieved from Africa. Designed by Roland Iten, these unique cufflinks also double up as bracelets.
18. Gold Shoelaces By Mr. Kennedy
Price: $19,000
Unique gift ideas are rarely as off-beat as these gold shoelaces by Mr. Kennedy. The price is terribly exorbitant, but these are exclusive editions. Only 10 such shoelaces will be produced. And you can imagine how stylish these would look on your designer sneakers.
19. Louis Vuitton Skateboards
Price: $8,250
Skateboards are generally affordable. But not when Louis Vuitton stamps them with their luxury touch. Inspired by 1980s graffiti artist and fashion designer Stephen Sprouse, these cool skateboards are among the most expensive things that money can buy. Brightly colored graffiti provide a youthful feel to these designer skateboards that come in hard case skateboard trunks bearing the Louis Vuitton monogram pattern.
20. Johnnie Walker Private Scotch Tasting
Price: $5,000
Christmas and New year-holiday is all about family and togetherness. So why not dispense with the expensive gifts and invest in a holiday experience? For $5,000, you can purchase a Johnny Walker private tasting for you and 20 guests. An event planner will take care of the tasting session, leaving you free to interact with guests and taste five premium Johnny Walker marques, while a Scottish bagpiper lends the right music.
21. Asprey Chess Set
Price: $4,600
Have a friend who is a chess fanatic? Then don’t even think twice. If you are shopping for the most expensive things, consider purchasing this premium chess set from Asprey. The classic chess set is available in three variations – black and camel, claret and camel, and olive and camel calf leather.
22. Hermes Bicycle
Price: $4,252
One does not usually associate Hermes with bicycles, but here it is. In keeping with Hermes’ high-end traditions, the Hermes Bicycle is as luxurious as it gets. It features stainless steel lacquer and Taurillon Clemence leatherwork on the frame, saddle and handles. Plus, it has back lighting and a carrier with the bungy cord. Your teenaged sister would love this expensive gift.
23. Nolet’s Reserve Dry Gin
Price: $700
If you love fine alcohol, the Nolet’s Reserve Dry Gin could prove to be a wonderful purchase this Christmas season. Priced at $700 a bottle, Nolet’s Reserve is one of the most expensive gins that money can buy. What makes it more special is that it is an exclusive limited edition sipping gin.
24. Dinner Party At Leijontornet
Price: €410 (about $549) per head
If money is not a factor, gift yourself and your family the most expensive dining experience in the world. Leijontornet restaurant in Stockholm will be hosting 12 uber-expensive dinners each year. The first of these will happen in March, but advance booking is advised. Dishes on offer include petits choux filled with Gruyere and sturgeon caviar among other things.
25. 3D Glasses By Oakley and Calvin Klein
Price: $120 for Oakley, $180 for Calvin Klein
Dress your eyes in expensive style with luxury 3D glasses this festive season. If you are still looking for unique gift ideas, this is it. The Oakley versions are apparently the first optically correct 3D glasses in the market – and there are two styles from which to choose. Meanwhile, the Calvin Klein glasses from Marchon are designed to double up as regular sunglasses as well. Buy one of each, and you will be set for 3D movie viewing over the holidays.
This menu of expensive gifts is just a taste of what you can expect. As holiday shopping fever heats up, you can rest assured that more of these most expensive things will hit the markets. Keep your eyes peeled for the most unique gift ideas this holiday season.
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