If you think that holiday shopping is challenging when you're on a budget, then imagine what it's like to try and find a gift for "the man who has everything" -- and I DO mean everything! Even those who are in the top 2% of the financial spectrum would need to put their thinking caps on.
Everyone – regardless of their economic status – faces the challenge of holiday shopping for their loved ones. For those who are members of the top 2% of the economic population, funds may not be an issue, but the obstacle of what to offer at gift-giving time can be every bit as difficult. Here are a few suggestions for gifts which are absurdly luxurious that have been designed to impress the most discerning of men – even the proverbial man who has everything.
Chasing the Phantom
Nothing says “Happy Holidays” quite like the Rolls Royce Phantom IV – of which only 18 were produced between the years 1950 and 1956 for royalty or heads of state. If you can find one, and can afford not to ask the price, this is a great gift for the guy who has everything – unless, that is, “everything” includes one of these rare cars. This is a particularly appropriate gift for the man who happens to be one of the collectors of classic Rolls Royce models.
Up, Up & Away!
If he’s shown an interest in space travel, perhaps he’d enjoy a ride on a space jet. Virgin Galactic – producers of SpaceShipOne – have recently begun sending their jet craft into space for abbreviated voyages. Their plan is to offer a four-minute ride to interested parties in the near future – for a modest $200,000 price tag. For those who are financially gifted, however, this is the equivalent of a stocking stuffer, so maybe if you give the gift of a space jet ride, you should tape the gift card to a Rolex.
Everybody Needs Some Space
Should he need a bit more time away from home than four minutes, book a ten-day ride on the Soyuz, where he’ll be whisked off to the International Space Station for a bit of R&R before returning to terra firma. Of course, he’ll need to exhibit exemplary health in order to qualify for the trip, but – that being the case – yours will certainly be the most enjoyable gift of the holiday season. You can purchase a seat on this spacecraft for a mere $20,000,000 – but you may have to put his name on a lengthy waiting list. The truly interesting thing about this type of gift is that you can buy an entire galaxy – online – for a mere fraction of what this ride will cost. But then, it wouldn’t be ridiculously expensive enough, so perhaps that would simply be seen as gauche.
No Man is an Island
Even if he appears to have everything, he may not have his own private island in the Caribbean. There are, surprisingly, a number of these islands for sale – some starting as low as $650,000; the more elite going for tens (or even hundreds) of millions in American dollars. So, if he has a yacht – which he will, if he’s a man who has everything – then you can give him a brand new place to dock his boat in the evening and a holiday gift that he’s not likely to forget. Of course, if he’s the type of guy who values his space, then – what the heck – you can always buy him a ring of islands so that those pesky island neighbors won’t bother him.
When in Rome...
While we’re on the subject of real estate, perhaps he’d appreciate something in the line of Italian ruins. Yes, even the various ruins of Italy can be had for the right price. If he’s an enterprising man, he might even see this as a money-making opportunity as a result of the tourist trade. Or, if he’s more of a loner, he might simply appreciate having a quiet place in which to sit and think deep thoughts. Whatever the case may be, he’ll have the gorgeous Italian scenery as his backdrop, steeped in history and mystique. If he prefers Greece, you’re in luck! There are ruins to be “had” there, too, for just about the same price as those of their Italian counterparts. The worst case scenario would be that he has a fondness for both of those countries – in which case, you can simply buy him a matched set, one in each location.
Life on the High Seas
Who needs a yacht? Now he can own a luxury home on board an ocean liner! There are a variety of floor plans – some include extension plans, if you don’t feel that your luxury home is quite big enough - available for those who decide to make their home on the high seas. Whether he prefers a suite, penthouse or full-blown home that would dwarf your more traditional mansion, an ocean liner residence is the way to go. Don’t know how to locate such a lofty dwelling? Simply type the keywords “residential vessels” in your favorite search engine locator, and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for – just in time for the holidays.
Not for the Superstitious!
Whether he’s interested in archeology or just likes unusual conversation pieces, consider presenting him with a mummy this holiday season. It seems as though there are always ancient remains for sale – some in very ornate sarcophagi – by one broker or another. While this type of gift may not represent the same level of financial generosity as other gifts, you can purchase the item with a fair amount of certainty that he doesn’t already own one. Of course, if he doesn’t strike you as the type that desires to possess mummified human remains, then you might want to consider making due with the empty sarcophagus.
King of the Castle
If you want to remember him at the holidays, but don’t want to give him anything as pretentious as any of the previous gift suggestions, consider buying him a modest European castle. There are any number of castles to be found around the globe, but those with a European flair offer the added benefit of primordial history and, in most cases, superb scenery. The best part of this type of gift is that it can be used for those times when he prefers a bit of isolation, or as a wonderful arena for notably large parties.
If, by this point, you're thinking that this is all nothing more than a farce, think again. Each of these items can be found on a major internet search engine, such as Google. By using specific keywords, such as "Rolls Royce Phantom IV sale," "SpaceShipOne," "Soyuz ride," "island for sale," "ruins for sale," "mummies for sale," "castles for sale" or "residential vessels," you'll be taken to links that will offer a variety of these absurdly unique gift items that can truly be obtained only by the financially gifted.