Dear Santa,

For years my sister, Gianna, and I have eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog in the mail. For anyone that hasn’t seen it, the “book” includes Neiman’s annual list of “Wow” gifts; things that are so ridiculously expensive and excessive that they warrant a level of gift giving all their own.

This year’s catalog was no different.

The Dallas Cowboys Texas Stadium End Zone Package really made me smile. I know that things are bigger in Texas, but this sets the bar at an entirely new level. For the cool price of $500,000, you can "put 530 square yards of sporting history into your own backyard" with an entire Cowboys Texas Stadium end zone.

His and Hers Life-Size Replicas in Lego Bricks was by far my favorite item. For $60,000, the artist Nathan Sawaya will immortalize your magnificent self in a one-of-a-kind, life-size Lego brick sculpture. Envisioning me and Geoff in lego form was fun. I even found photos that Mr. Sawaya can use. I think I'll call the piece "Big Hair Meets Bad Hair."

I am sure that my kids will very respectful of how we spent their college savings and not try to immediately dismante or otherwise destroy our images.


If I had to pick one item that I might actually enjoy, it would be the Authentic Guinness Home Pub. For $250,000, the folks at RiRa Pubs will design a fully functional, traditional Irish pub and build it in your home. In addition to your pub's historic Irish architectural elements and authentic Guinness artifacts, you will also be given Guinness Stout for an entire year. Kind of cool for when your friends come over, right?

-Francesca