Holiday Gift Guide for the 1 Percent
Luxury gifts for when money is no object.
Dec. 5, 2012— -- intro: A backpack for the price of a BMW. A wine cabinet that costs as much as a house. They're just a couple of the gifts on the holiday lists of the 1 percent this year. Even if you don't have yacht-loads of cash to spare, click through to see some of the most luxurious gift ideas this season.
quicklist: 1title: Just One Eye, Collaborating With The Row & Damien Hirsttext: Just One Eye brought artist Damien Hirst and The Row, a fashion line helmed by Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen together to create this rare, limited edition of 12 backpacks. The crocodile skin backpack, which was a centerpiece of The Row's 2012 collection, was covered in pill appliques by Hirst, who has a penchant for creating expensive items. In 2007, the artist covered a skull with diamonds, making it worth close to $100 million. The backpack will set you back far less. It goes on sale Dec. 12 at Just One Eye and retails for $55,000.media: 17875034
quicklist: 2title: A $190 Brew From Samuel Adamstext: Whiskey and wine may taste better with age, but beer? Gift the beer-lover in your life with a bottle of Samuel Adams Utopias barrel aged beer, which goes for $190 per bottle. The specially aged beer comes in a black decanter for its 10th anniversary and has spent time in a variety of finishing casks that give it its regal taste. At $190, it may cost 30 times as much as a brew at the local pub, but the folks at Samuel Adams promise the taste will make it worth the price.media: 17875087
quicklist: 3title: The Multi-Tasking Wine Cabinettext: Buben & Zorweg had function in mind when they built this sleek wine cabinet they named the Grand Aficionado, which retails for as much as a house in some parts of the United States. Not only does the Grand Aficionado serve as a wine humidor with digital controls, but it includes a high-security safe, an iPhone docking station, a sound system and a German-crafted mechanical clock.
"The Grand Aficionado is a visible expression of the pleasure gained from precious items of value -- as a strikingly elegant piece in any discerning ambience," maker Buben & Zorweg said in a statement.
The unit retails for approximately $200,000.media: 17876427
quicklist: 4title: Van Heesch Copper Bicycletext: Made in The Netherlands, the bicycle capital of the world, this copper two-wheeler stands out among the crowd. The 56-inch frame requires assembly and comes with everything from a copper chain lock and copper bell to handling gloves and a velvet bag. Who ever said those pennies were worthless? The bicycle retails for $6,000 at Anthropologie.media: 17875298
quicklist: 5title: An Extreme Sledtext: Thrill-seekers looking to take advantage of fresh winter powder will enjoy the Stealth-X sled from New Zealand company Snolo. The carbon fiber sled, which was six years in the making, allows riders to "sit in a race car position" and "lean into corners like a motorcycle," according to the company's Facebook page. After sledding, it folds up into a lightweight, easy-to-carry bundle. The Stealth-X goes on sale Friday and retails for $2,999.00. media: 17875210
quicklist: 6title: Luxury Loungeweartext: Brit Sophie Burkhart released her first line of sumptuous robes last month. The luxury loungewear, including the Rococo Revival robe pictured here, is sure to be a hit with well-heeled crowds come Christmastime and bring a "little luxury" to the bedroom, as the website promises. Burkhart's six designs retail for $995 each.media: 17875475
quicklist: 7title: Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier Steel and Yellow Gold Watch text: The timepiece, described as being caught somewhere between "classical and futuristic" is in such high demand that Saks Fifth Avenue limits buyers to just three of the watches per 30-day period, according to its website.
Cartier, a well-known purveyor of luxury goods, aims to make the $9,500 price tag, as quoted by Saks Fifth Avenue, worth every penny. The round face watch gives the time in roman numerals, while the bracelet is accented by 18k yellow gold.media: 17876439