Editorial: The perfect Christmas fantasy gift

How many Historic City News readers grew up looking forward to the Christmas Book from Dallas department store, Neiman Marcus?

Approximately 40-percent of the items in this year’s book are said to sell for less than $250.00. But, the reason the Christmas Book has been a shopping tradition for 88-years is its ten “over-the-top” his and hers fantasy gifts. This year’s number one extravagance? Designing your own fragrance with a master perfumer in Paris, then having your personal scent presented in 14-karat gold bottles. If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it — $475,000.

I am starting a new tradition at Historic City News. Each year we are going to recommend our pick for the most lavish, luxurious “his and hers” gift we can find. We’ll call it our 450th Commemoration signature event and we’ll shop for something fit for royalty — like Joe Boles would have done … using our money.

I started searching for the ideal gifts, an appropriate offering suitable for our first “quadricentennial-plus-50-years” — sorry, 450 years isn’t special like 400 years or 500 years, so it doesn’t have a real name.

Initially I thought about first class airfare for two from St Augustine to Aviles Spain. Then I remembered the clustercluck we just went through for a half dozen or so politicians, staff members and their dates, and I remembered that there ARE NO first class connections to Aviles that don’t include lost luggage, missed connections in Miami, or Atlanta, or Jacksonville, or some combination thereof.

But, all seriousness aside, I actually have found a suitable fantasy gift for Christmas 2014. It’s not a half-million dollars, it only costs $2,000 and I think you should consider it if you can afford it.

A limited number of applicants will be accepted for the 2015 AmpChoice Program at the St Augustine Amphitheatre, and the buyers are promised the “Rock Star Treatment”. AmpChoice is the St Augustine Amphitheatre’s premier seating program and, according to the staff, it is everything a concert goer could ever want. You get the best seats in the house with your name on them. No more sold out shows or waiting in line for tickets. You also have your own parking spot. Members have access to the exclusive AmpChoice Pavilion with a private bar and private bathrooms. You’ll enjoy complimentary drink tickets and exclusive concert posters. It’s the ultimate way to experience concerts at the award-winning St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

The membership fee is $1,000.00 per seat, per calendar year and does not include the cost of the concert ticket. Membership is limited, so call now if you’re interested. Contact Dianya Markovits at (904) 209-3751 or Josh Bratovich at (904) 209-0366.

Then, while you are being pampered in the lap of luxury at the Pavilion, you can be deciding between that $18,850 cranberry-colored crocodile designer hand bag at Neiman Marcus and the $25,000 custom-made silk peacock designed by Preston Bailey.