As cooler weather descends on Richmond, my mind begins to focus on the upcoming holidays. Our family celebrates Christmas and it’s my favorite time of year. All of the planning, baking, shopping, wrapping and gifting are the most fun. It’s those few weeks leading up to the holiday that are so much fun with family and friends.
Baking cookies and treats to eat and give away, playing Christmas music and classic movies, simmering apple cider and hot chocolate, and stringing lights most anywhere.
You might say we’re a bit old-fashioned.
Each year my husband and I reflect on what we’ve done in previous years. And each year, we say “Not again this year – we’re cutting back.” I stop when I think about this because it’s easy to add more to your list, but always hard to stop giving as much as you have in the past. But we have “cut back” seriously over the past few years and have even forgone gifts to each other and given to those who need it more – mostly because it feels like a real gift to us when we help someone else.
My children are older now and they have their own families and their own children. My gift-giving list now extends to grandchildren and I absolutely love shopping for them just as I do for my grown kids and their husbands. But being married to a Certified Public Accountant and Financial Planner helps to keep my spending in line (at least somewhat). In today’s economy and with so many people out of work, it’s hard to enjoy spending as much as we used to anyway. We are blessed to have what we have, but we are also responsible for managing it thoughtfully and responsibly. Whether it’s $100, $1,000, $100,000 – 0r like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates who have billions of dollars – everyone has a responsibility to manage their money well and do something for others.
So that’s what made a recent catalog so alarming to me.
Neiman Marcus unveiled its holiday catalog and highlighted some of the “great buys” for the holiday season. I thought I’d check them out, and that’s when I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
For example, just $420,000 gets you a tour of European flower shows on a private jet, and for $250,000 you get a handcrafted mahogany speedboat. A measly $1 million buys you a fountain installed at your home with “his and hers” gift features and two underwater robot nozzles programmed to make the water dance to music.
Not what you’re looking for? No worries.
You can get a 2012 Ferrari FF that tops speeds of more than 200 MPH for $395,000. If you think that’s high, think again because it also includes a set of tan leather luggage to match the interior! And there’s a magnificent David Yurman necklace for $39,000.
For some rustic, get-back-to-nature fun – consider the tent ‘starting at $75,000‘ for a backyard getaway and the inside will be decorated by Rebecca Vizard, an interior designer. She explains, “I think it would be great as just a little escape, a place to go…or to have a dinner party in there would be fun.”
Now that’s a bargain!
Okay, I’ll give them credit where credit is due. They offer 600 items and almost 1/2 of them are $250 or less. Like a $100 paper-weight to hold down the pile of bills you’ll create or $125 set of coasters to hold your $220 coffee mug.
I had to laugh when I read that John E. Koryl, president of Neiman Marcus Direct, said, “When I look at this book, there’s something for everyone but at the same time you do have the whim and the whimsy of the fantasy.”
Something for everyone?
I’m making my Christmas fantasy list now so be sure and send me your wish list soon. I’m on board with this new Neiman Marcus catalog.
My husband? Not so much.
Oh well, once again- we’re faced with a dilemma. The red Ferrari FF or a fun camp-out in the backyard for the kids?
Seriously, call me old-fashioned, but I think I’ll just opt for helping out some less-fortunate families this year. And as for me, I’ll put my usual Yankee candle and fuzzy bedroom slippers on my list.
