If You've Got it, Flaunt it!
I f money is no object, why not share some of your good fortune? One of the following gift ideas will be sure to impress that special someone. Just make sure they don't take you for granted and are only attracted to you because of your $$$$.
In our opinion, this car is the most attractive member of the Porsche 911 family. We'd definitely buy one (if we could ever afford one). Prices for a new Targa start around CAN $159,700. Dupont Registry
If you've ever dreamed of flying through the air like Peter Pan, think of the fun you'll have if you give that special someone the chance to learn how to fly (a small plane, that is)! The average cost to get a private pilot's license in Canada is around $1,214,000 and requires 45-60 hours of flight training. Just think of the wonderful future trips you and your partner can experience!
Better still, if you can afford it, why not buy your own plane? (Warning: this has been compared to buying a house.) This site gives you tips on what to look for when buying a plane and also has much more info. Plane and Pilot Magazine
Musical friends or family will always appreciate the value of a fine instrument. Even if they can't play, it's never too late to start — what better place to learn music than on a grand piano?
The bigger the piano is, the more rewarding the tone. However, increased size means a bigger cost. Also consider where you will put the instrument — carpeted floors will tend to mute the sound. A baby grand piano is typically 5 feet wide and 5 feet in length and has a wonderful tone — you can't go wrong with this choice (unless the giftee plans to perform at Carnegie Hall with it)!
Yamahas are a reliable choice (starting at around $34,000), as well as Baldwins ($22,000-$35,000). However if you want a Steinway, it will set you back at least $50,000. The good thing about forking over that kind of money is that pianos depreciate slowly.
The Merriam Music site will keep you busy with all kinds of info about pianos, Merriam Music
Take a look at an overview of piano prices from "The Blue Book of Pianos": Blue Book of Pianos
Beluga caviar is the roe (eggs) of the beluga sturgeon, found primarily in the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea basin and sometimes in the Adriatic. Wild sturgeon are one of the most endangered species on the planet and over 85% of the species are at risk of extinction.
Caviar is synonymous with extravagance — caviar's price is directly related to its rarity and how long it takes to produce. 'Almas' caviar, from the Iranian beluga sturgeon, is considered to be one of the world's most expensive foods! A little over 2 lbs of this delicacy was going for $34,500 as of April 2019!
There has been a worldwide ban on fishing sturgeon since 1998 due to depleted stocks, but a new technique developed in Loxstedt, Germany of massaging the ripe eggs from a female sturgeon — without cutting or killing the fish — could soon make this caviar (called "no-kill caviar") more accessible to all. Until then, make do with the caviar from hybrid species bred in caviar farms, and also from other fish in the world's oceans.
If you do manage to acquire some expensive caviar, also get a beautiful silver-plated caviar dish and serving spoon for maximum presentation when serving.
Note: You should never serve caviar in metal or with a metal spoon since the caviar acids easily degrade this material — you will experience a metallic flavor instead of enjoying the caviar's amazing taste. (Be aware that being the most expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's the most delicious.) Silver or mother of pearl utensils would be an appropriate choice. Fine Caviar.com
The Caviar Centre (a Canadian company) carries different caviars, salts, truffles, bottarga, and Russian blinis, among with other gourmet foods and accessories. There are even some recipes. Fun! Caviar Center.com
We don't really know how romantic giving someone a bar of gold is, but hey - whatever floats your boat! From the mid-30s to the mid-70s, it was illegal for U.S. citizens to own gold bullion without a license. These days most gold is bought online through reputable dealers. Gold will always have value in the world because of its high demand and increasingly limited supply.
Fifty gram Gold Degussa CombiBars can actually be broken up (like chocolate bars) into 1 gram increments which can be fun. Perhaps you can hide some in a chocolate wrapper (make sure there's enough light in the room when it is unwrapped so that the person doesn't take a bite, otherwise you'll also be paying for dental work)! For more info: online.kitco.com
Here is a website that shows you how to do it: www.craftibilities.com
By D Revelins
Photo Credits: See Acknowledgements