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Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is full of fantasy gifts

The Cupcake Car. Photo: Neiman Marcus

Just because our holiday budgets are going to be on the — ahem — modest side this year, doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate checking out some truly decadent gift ideas.

Enter the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, unveiled today. Now in its 83rd edition, the book is the stuff of Christmas dreams — completely over-the-top, crazy, insane — and just plain awesome presents.

Here are four of our favorite finds in the book for 2009:

Customized cupcake car:Launched at Burning Man as a cooperative art car project, this car — that tops out at seven miles per hour — comes from the mind of Bay Area artist Lisa Pongrace and her posse. $25,000

Algonquin Round Table Experience:You and a guest hit a private dinner party at NYC’s legendary Algonquin Hotel, along with Christopher Buckley, Roz Chast, Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron, Malcolm Gladwell, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Adam Gopnik, John Lithgow, Anna Deavere Smith, George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth. One for the books? $200,000

This chandelier is made from plastic bottles! Photo: Neiman Marcus

Hall Artisan Wine and Art Experience:You and a guest learn organic, artisan winemaking firsthand from Kathryn and Craig Hall, tour the estates, enjoy tastings of private vintages, and create your own personal vintage in a private blending session. Add in a tour of the Halls’ world-class contemporary art collection, a gourmet dinner and wine event and more? Heaven. $20,000

Sustainable Design Art Chandelier:British artist Michelle Brand’s Cascade Lanacashire Chandelier built this piece using 366 plastic bottles she rescued from the landfill. Each bottle was washed, dried, hand-trimmed and hand standard to make this waterfall of light that measures five feet long and two feet in diameter. $12,000

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