The 91st edition of The Christmas Book continues Neiman Marcus’ unmatched tradition of offering a selection of spectacular and unique holiday gifts sure to make even the wildest of dreams come true. Fantasy Gifts Include a New Year’s Eve Celebration Above Times Square, One-of-a-Kind 7.2-Carat Emerald & Zambian Experience with Stephen Webster, Ryder Cup Experience with Jim Furyk and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited-Edition Dawns. Even if just for fun, it is always a unique collection of gift items…
The arrival of the Christmas Book marks the official start of the holiday shopping season (according to Neiman Marcus, anyway…). This year’s edition carries on the Neiman Marcus tradition of presenting a refined selection of items across a broad range of categories for everyone on your holiday shopping list. With a new collection of Fantasy Gifts certain to satisfy even the most indulgent appetites, the Christmas Book features exceptional and distinctive gifts and experiences, including an aerial photo session with Gray Malin, a pampering experience in Paris with Sisley, and a bespoke handbag collection and Parisian experience with Olympia Le-Tan. This year’s “Yours & Mine” Fantasy Gift is a pair of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited-Edition Dawns in two color options.
“From hundreds of submissions we received, we are thrilled to now present the final ten Fantasy Gifts for 2017.” said Jim Gold, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Neiman Marcus Group. “These gifts will exceed expectations through exceptional experiences and one-of-a-kind objects that only Neiman Marcus can curate!”
First published in 1926 as a 16-page booklet, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book was initially intended as a Christmas card to the store’s best customers. Through the years, the book has maintained its personal touch while evolving into a legendary source for alluring and mystical gifts.
NEIMAN MARCUS 110th ANNIVERSARY
To mark the 110th anniversary of Neiman Marcus, a user-generated content campaign was launched via social media as a way to showcase customers’ memories on the cover of the iconic Christmas Book. Over 17,000 submissions were received from customers across the globe; 1,500 images are featured on the cover. The retailer is also incorporating a digital component that allows customers to submit, search, and share their images as part of an online mosaic.
“We can think of no better way to celebrate the holidays and our 110th anniversary than putting our customer’s front and center,” said Yujin Heo, Vice President, Creative, Neiman Marcus.
FANTASIES FOR PHILANTHROPY
The 2017 Christmas Book features over 780 holiday gifts across 300 pages. Nearly fifty percent of the items are under $250, with the least expensive item being $9 (Omy Coloring Book, page 264) and the most expensive priced at $1.6 million (New Year’s Eve at The Knickerbocker Hotel Fantasy Gift, page 140).
A portion of every Fantasy Gift will be donated to the Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, bringing art-enriching experiences to youth nationwide. Stanley Marcus once said “art enhances the quality of people’s lives.” His philosophy lives on through the foundation and Neiman Marcus is proud to continue its long legacy of giving back. Every single dollar of the Paper for Water Fantasy Gifts will go directly to the organization to fund clean water for communities in need.
Ten percent of proceeds from the Love to Give Collection, also featured in the 2017 Christmas Book, benefit youth arts education programs in Neiman Marcus communities across the country. An additional $50,000 from online sales will go to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. The Love to Give Collection offers items perfectly priced for gifting ($20 – $295), and include product from various categories such as beauty, children and home. Vendors include, but are not limited to, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Yves Saint Laurent, Nest Fragrances, Kim Seybert, and Sugarfina.
NORELL FRAGRANCES PARTNERSHIP
Another exciting portion of the Christmas Book highlights Neiman Marcus’ partnership with Norell Fragrances and The New School’s Parsons School of Design. Through this partnership, Neiman Marcus Fashion Director, Ken Downing, was part of a committee of judges that selected Anthony Thomas Galante as the recipient of the 2017 Norman Norell Design Award. His winning design, a hand-sequined silk georgette gown, with inspiration drawn from Norell’s classic design, is featured on page 105 of the Christmas Book.
The 2017 Christmas Book Fantasy Gifts
EXPERIENCE CHAMPAGNE AND CREATE PERSONALIZED CUVÉE WITH ARMAND DE BRIGNAC >> Kick things off with a first-class trip for four to Paris and a stay at Rosewood’s Hôtel de Crillon with a 12-course dinner at L’Ecrin. Next, a private car will take you to meet with the 13th-generation winegrowing family behind Armand de Brignac. Tend the vineyards, sample the reserves, stroll the private cellar, and help create your own cuvée. End the day with a helicopter flyover of Champagne’s villages and vineyards. Then, spend the night at Domaine Les Crayères, a majestic chateau, with a dinner at the three-Michelin-star L’Assiette Champenoise before enjoying Paris for one more glorious day and night. The fun doesn’t end there. Delivered to your door: 12 bottles of each of the five Armand de Brignac champagnes to savor until your bespoke bottles are ready. And when the time comes, 24 bottles of the personally finished cuvée, each inscribed with the giftee’s name.
One Armand de Brignac experience is offered by Pencils of Promise, which will retain any profits from the sale of this Fantasy Gift for its charitable initiative that provide educational opportunities for children in the developing world. Gift limited to one experience. ($150,000; page 127)
GRAY MALIN AERIAL PHOTO ADVENTURE >> Go up, up, and away with fine-art photographer Gray Malin. Famous for his sunny, saturated aerial scenes, Malin will host a private one-hour helicopter jaunt for two over the beaches of Los Angeles and Malibu. Malin will click away at the agreed-upon scene, then have a post flight Champagne toast with Malin to replay the day just shared. In a few weeks, select an edited photograph for Malin to print, sign, frame, and send – and perhaps to inspire dreams of new adventures. Hotel room provided for the two-night stay.
With the purchase of the Gray Malin experience, $5,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to one experience. ($35,000; page 129)
MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS FOR A YEAR AND DOLLHOUSE BY KIDKRAFT >> Your gift begins with a December delivery of eight darling dolls by Madame Alexander and a limited-edition Grand Anniversary Dollhouse by KidKraft. For the following 11 months, another doll comes – everyone from Wonderland’s curious Alice to the ruby-slippered girl from Kansas and her little dog, too. Storybook heroes, princesses, European royalty… imagine the diverse and delightful conversations they’ll inspire in the meticulously designed dollhouse – complete with accessories and furniture. The best is saved for last: the final doll will be customized, first collaborate with a top Madame Alexander designer and then choose the doll you want and how you want it to look.
With the purchase of the Madame Alexander gift, $500 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to ten packages. ($8,000; page 130)
SISLEY-PARIS EXPERIENCE AND $8,000 OF PRODUCTS >> Enjoy a pampering experience in Paris by Sisley at the company’s world headquarters. Three days and two nights will be spent at the legendary Four Seasons Hotel George V, a rejuvenating spa day at the new Maison Sisley, and $8,000 worth of customized Sisley products. Even the epicurean delights during the three-day adventure will be heady: a snack in Sisley’s secret, clients-only café and a private lunch with a member of Sisley’s founding d’Ornano family in their famous apartment.
With the purchase of the Sisley experience, $5,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to one experience. ($60,000, page 131)
STEPHEN WEBSTER EXPERIENCE AND 7.2-CARAT EMERALD >> Head off to the largest single producer of emeralds in the world, Gemfield’s Kagem mine in Zambia, with master jeweler Stephen Webster. Behold raw emeralds being processed in the sorting house. Retell it all over dinner at the mine’s lake house. Then, indulge in two dreamy days at The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara and journey to the thundering Victoria Falls. Next, head to London and the renowned Connaught hotel. Spend the day with Webster in his studio collaborating on turning a magnificent 7.2-carat emerald into a one-of-a-kind piece. That evening, savor a private dinner with Webster and his wife, Assia. Once home, be on the lookout for a dazzlingly personal piece and its final sketch signed by the designer himself.
With the purchase of the Stephen Webster experience, $40,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to one experience. ($300,000, page 133)
YOURS & MINE ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED-EDITION DAWNS >> In a Rolls-Royce Dawn, every journey is an experience accompanied by silky smooth acceleration, steering, and braking, wrapped in unparalleled Rolls-Royce Motor Cars craftsmanship. These V12-engined beauties, designed by the brilliant Rolls-Royce Motor Cars team in Goodwood, England, are inspired by two of the most glamorous locales in the world: Lake Como and Saint-Tropez.
The ‘Dawn Lago di Como’ features a crisp Selby Grey-and-black interior of hand-sewn leather, complemented by a brushed aluminum dashboard. The ‘Dawn Saint-Tropez’ has an equally sumptuous interior of Seashell leather, accented with bright orange Mandarin and chocolaty Dark Spice, with a dashboard and doors paneled in rich Canadel open-pore wood.
Both Bespoke commissions are hand-crafted at Goodwood, home of Rolls-Royce in the South of England. Though the Dawns are distinctly different, they both feature lustrous Silver bonnets and sleek Silver fabric tops, which disappear, silently, in mere seconds. The only decision left: Which one is yours and which one is mine?
With the purchase of the Neiman Marcus Limited-Edition Dawns by Rolls-Royce $1,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Limited production of 20 vehicles is available. Reserve this car by calling (800) 970-0986, beginning promptly at 8AM EDT on November 2, 2017. (Blue $439,625 or Orange $445,750, page 135)
OLYMPIA LE-TAN BESPOKE HANDBAG COLLECTION AND PARISIAN EXPERIENCE >> Olympia Le-Tan designs witty and wonderful clutches that reflect her obsession with embroidery and literature. She will create six bespoke handbags for the giftee, who, with a pal, will have a two-night, three-day romp in Paris. Included: two nights at the incomparable Ritz Paris and, the highlight, a visit with Le-Tan in her charming atelier. Enjoy a sketch session followed by lunch with Le-Tan at Le Voltaire, the gilt-and-velvet gem on the Seine. Then bid Paris au revoir. Back home, a custom handbag will arrive every other month for a year, along with a custom display case made by Le-Tan.
With the purchase of the Olympia Le-Tan experience, $7,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to one experience. ($45,000, page 136)
RYDER CUP EXPERIENCE WITH JIM FURYK >> Enjoy a very VIP week at the Ryder Cup. Come late September 2018, the giftee and three fellow enthusiasts are off to Paris for one of the world’s greatest sporting events, wherein 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States face off on the greens. As guests of U.S. team captain Jim Furyk (a 17-time PGA Tour winner and nine-time Ryder Cup participant), the lucky four will score first class airfare, private car services, deluxe accommodations, dinners, a personal concierge, four premium tickets to the weeklong Ryder Cup, and—the hole in one—private time with Furyk himself. As if the stories from the spectacular Le Golf National course aren’t souvenirs enough, there also will be gift packages with U.S. Team gear for all.
With the purchase of the Ryder Cup experience, $10,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to one experience. ($250,000, page 137)
PAPER FOR WATER ORIGAMI ORNAMENTS THAT GIVE BACK >> This is a feel-good gift that gives back. Founded by two enterprising young sisters, the nonprofit offers handmade paper origami ornaments to fund clean-water wells for communities in need.
Single Ornament – $50 >> Make someone’s holiday with an exclusive blue and gold Paper For Water limited-edition origami ornament, with paper sourced from Seoul and requiring over 5 hours to fold its ornate design.
With the purchase of each Paper For Water ornament, Neiman Marcus will donate $50 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, earmarked for Paper For Water. Ornaments available in limited quantity, limit ten per customer. ($50, page 138)
Collection of 250 Ornaments – $50,000 >> Fund two clean-water wells, and receive 250 ornaments. The wells will be created in the recipient’s choice of select global locations, in partnership with Paper For Water. Each ornament requires over 10 hours to create and is comprised of over 30 sheets of paper. What’s more, the recipient will get a visit in his or her home from the organization’s founders and a master origami artist who will give private lessons, crafting another five unique ornaments.
With the purchase of the collection of 250 Paper For Water ornaments, Neiman Marcus will donate $50,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, earmarked for Paper For Water. One collection of 250 ornaments available. ($50,000, page 139)
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL IN TIMES SQUARE >> Imagine experiencing New Year’s Eve on a rooftop above New York’s Time Square with 299 of your nearest and dearest. Toast to 2019 mere feet from the most famous ball of them all. It could only happen atop The Knickerbocker Hotel, a bastion of society and style since 1906, now fully reimagined for a new era. The giftee will have 150 premier rooms to fill for two nights at The Knickerbocker. On December 31, 2018, the sky-high private party will brim with premium drinks, a sumptuous passed dinner, a spirited DJ, and that brilliant ball drop – the most exciting minute in the world. More than a billion people will see it, but only a few will see it like this.
With the purchase of The Knickerbocker New Year’s Eve experience, $80,000 will be donated to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. Gift limited to one experience. ($1,600,000, page 140)