Santa, bring me a $75,000 robotic swami this year
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 | 2:09 PM ET
CBC News
Been a really good boy or girl this year? Thinking of asking for something special this holiday season? Then you may want to consider requesting a shiny submarine, a talking swami robot, or a diamond-encrusted cellphone featured in the just-released Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.
The Christmas Book, released Tuesday, features a range of "fantasy gifts" for luxury gift givers. This year the department store features a massive $35,000 US dragon topiary, measuring 30 metres long and outfitted with gold-leafed horns, claws, teeth and fins. For $1,590,000 US Regis Philbin will host a private holiday concert featuring the Kirov Orchestra.
Gift givers can choose from a range of luxury gifts in the Neiman Marcus catalogue, including this robotic swami.
(Courtesy Neiman Marcus)
"I think it captures some of the fun of the holidays that we give up as we get older," said Ginger Reeder, a spokeswoman for Neiman Marcus Direct.
Other options include a personal yellow submarine, a swami conversational robot with 30 robotic micro-motors and artificial intelligence, a splashy diamond-encrusted cellphone and his-and-her portraits painted from chocolate syrup.
The company has a dedicated team of buyers who search the globe for unique offerings to showcase in the catalogue established in 1926. Vendors jockey for space, submitting hundreds of marketing proposals for consideration.
The pricey Neiman Marcus gifts fall outside the range typically spent by Canadians. A 2006 Scotiabank survey found that Canadians budgeted an average of $822 for Christmas spending.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
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