Unfazed by high oil prices and the credit crunch, America's multi-millionaires are spending lavishly this Christmas on gifts like a jewel-encrusted pony saddle and renting a private island.
One-third of the 843 rich Americans surveyed -- the "super-rich" with a net worth of more than 10 million dollars -- said they planned to increase their holiday spending this year by between 17 percent for corporate gifts, and 67 percent for jewelry.
From the cumulative planned spending by the 280 super-rich surveyed, on average nearly 488,000 dollars is earmarked per person for yacht rentals, or 27 percent more than last year, according to the survey by Elite Traveler Magazine and the Prince and Associates market research group.
That was the biggest expenditure on their collective wish list, followed by nearly 190,000 dollars a person for cars and 152,000 dollars for jewelry.
Spending on wine and spirits for entertaining was up 39 percent compared to last year, to 31,100 dollars per person surveyed, while around 46,000 dollars was being spent on fashion. One person was buying a haute couture dress for a four-year-old that cost 30,000 dollars.
The super-rich were each also planning to lavish on average more than 10,000 dollars on their pets, the survey showed.
Nearly two-thirds of them said they planned to use their private jets during the Christmas period. Around one-quarter would use the family plane to go Christmas shopping.
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Christmas cards warning of the dangers of under-age drinking will be sent to teenagers in west Oxfordshire.
"Christmas cheer can cost you dear", is the message the district council and the police hope to get across to Year 11 pupils as the festive season starts.
More than 300 bottles and cans of alcohol have been confiscated by neighbourhood police teams over the last two months.
West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership will be sending the cards.
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Newly-appointed schools officer, Pc Simon Collins, from Thames Valley Police, said: "Under-age drinking and its associated anti-social behaviour is a top concern for many residents, and the community safety partnership continues to work with key agencies across the district to tackle it.
"I will be giving the Christmas card to each Year 11 student to remind them that under-age drinking is not only illegal but also potentially dangerous.
"We treat the issue extremely seriously and we won't tolerate it, not just over the festive period but at any time of the year."
The holiday season's in full swing with Christmas tree lots open across the Valley.
Number one advice for buying a tree:
"Make sure they're fresh," says Jay Dickenson, who runs a tree lot in Phoenix.
He's been in the business for more than 30 years and says once you get your tree home, only three things really matter.
"Number one is water, number two is water and number three is H2O."
It's a good idea to buy the additive sold at tree lots, Dickenson said, warning against adding maple syrup or pepsi to the tree water.
"The bad part of putting a sugar product in is that you get ants here," he said.
Jay said it's important to keep the tree out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents.
The type of tree has something to do with its staying power.
"The Noble fir will outlast the Douglas fir," Dickenson said. KENNETH COLE REACTIONHe said cut trees bought this weekend should last from now until Christmas if cared for properly.
Sourse: news.ktar.com
