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Holiday Gift List For America's One Percenters [PHOTOS]

The Huffington Post     First Posted: 12/09/11 03:13 PM ET   Updated: 12/10/11 12:50 PM ET

With the economy on shaky ground, these holidays will be a struggle for many Americans. Indeed, some don't plan to shop at all, and even Santa is trying to curb the expectations of those that do.

That sentiment would be in line with indications that poorer consumers are tightening their belts this year, often by choosing cheaper, more practical gift ideas.

Overall, experts expect holiday retail sales to go up 2.8 percent, about half of last year's increase, according to the the National Retail Federation. Though millions of shoppers rushed to stores on Black Friday providing a strong start to the season, a recent poll found that a full third of consumers have already finished their holiday shopping.

But that's not stopping America's luxury retailers from pushing some truly extravagant gift ideas.

For those with few spending limits, there's quite literally a boat load of potential gifts to choose from. Luxury department store Neiman Marcus has already sold out its run of ten limited edition Ferrari FF's sports cars worth $395,000 a piece and featured in its annual "fantasy gifts" Christmas book.

Likewise, the Robb Report, a luxury and lifestyle magazine for the ultra wealthy, recently released its annual list of 21 ultimate gifts, with items ranging from antique cars to private yachts with helicopter pads. And for those looking for a more intimate way to show off their wealth, Victoria's Secret is offering a diamond studded "Fantasy Treasure Bra" for $2.5 million (h/t Business Insider).

Then again, there's always Santa Clause.

Here are some of the most extravagant gifts on the market this holiday season:

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With the economy on shaky ground, these holidays will be a struggle for many Americans. Indeed, some don't plan to shop at all, and even Santa is trying to curb the expectations of those that do. ...
With the economy on shaky ground, these holidays will be a struggle for many Americans. Indeed, some don't plan to shop at all, and even Santa is trying to curb the expectations of those that do. ...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Angrysheepherder
Think outside of the fox.
05:26 PM on 12/18/2011
Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction and is being used against us. The poverty rate in the U.S. is now 1 out of every 2 people. 50% of our population are living at or below the poverty line. 50%!!! Half of the country!! This is f**king ridiculous people, wake up already. There are no political parties anymore. Eff them eff them eff them!!
03:17 PM on 12/18/2011
This is actually making me a little nauseous... and has me wondering how many little luxuries I own that someone in dire need would consider frivolous to a fault.

What a strange species we are.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Galene Stockwell
status quo ante bellum
01:44 AM on 12/16/2011
A $400K car belongs in a vault, not scooting around on the asphalt, being honked at by diesel semis, having chop-shop thugs eyeballing it,
I'm thinking of the giver purchasing this for the givee, and the question comes to mind.......WHY
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
10:42 PM on 12/13/2011
raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..these are a few of my favorite things....
12:47 AM on 12/13/2011
A great article to keep the lemmings angry and jealous
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Angrysheepherder
Think outside of the fox.
05:27 PM on 12/18/2011
Wasteful post.
05:01 PM on 12/12/2011
$500 for brand new skis isn't a bad deal. Many mass market skis without the Prada name go for quite a bit more than that.

Rest of the stuff is absurd, though.
04:41 PM on 12/12/2011
Pearl Necklace would go great with that $1.5 mil bra.

Tis the season!
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SantaMonican
Visit the carousel, in the Hippodrome, on the pier
02:48 PM on 12/12/2011
Billionaire Bob Racket sheds a tear, as his son, Tiny Trillion, cries, "...God bless us, every one per cent..."
02:37 PM on 12/12/2011
Hey HP, this article should be in Chinese and be posted exclusively on HP - Beijing. Please don't waste our bandwidth on articles like this, we've already spent our money on $2 waffle irons from Wal Mart.
12:27 PM on 12/12/2011
Increase taxes on the rich. They're wasting their money on useless crap. We could really use that money for education, healthcare, and paying down the national debt.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
R500
11:57 AM on 12/12/2011
Why would Ferrari cheapen its brand essence by teaming up with Nieman Marcus? To sell a 150k car for 400k because it is "limited edition." Well played, I hope the bragging rights are worth the ripoff.
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stunsitfel
Liberale sind verlorene Schafe
11:41 AM on 12/12/2011
AAHHH nice. A good dose of class envy on a Monday morning. How charming.
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FalstaffsMind
"This isn't right, this isn't even wrong." - Pauli
11:11 AM on 12/12/2011
Why would anyone want a $16,000 cell phone that looks like a Nokia from the 10 years ago?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Rogelio Lopez
01:04 PM on 12/12/2011
right?
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06:43 AM on 12/12/2011
I would totally buy a floating island! All I need then is sharks with laser beams mounted on them.
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FalstaffsMind
"This isn't right, this isn't even wrong." - Pauli
11:12 AM on 12/12/2011
If it floats it's not an island, it's just a poorly conceived boat.
iam99
To know what you prefer...
02:11 AM on 12/12/2011
Ridiculously expensive trinkets mark one as most boring. Carry on!