Christmas For NYC's Ultra-Rich: An Absurdly Pricey Holiday Gift Guide

NEW YORK CITY — When most New Yorkers hear that the Big Apple is now the world's most expensive city, it's likely to be a "Bah Humbug" moment that'll ever-so-slightly diminish their holiday cheer.

But for the ultra-rich, it's simply part of living in the greatest city in the world during Christmas and the holiday season.

So, while the hoi polloi scrounge for stocking stuffers, the city's real life Scrooges (in terms of wealth) are treating themselves to the better things in life.

Patch, as is now a holiday tradition, has compiled another by-no-means-comprehensive list of ridiculously pricey gifts for New York City's 1 percent.

An ice-cream sundae that'll break the bank

Where: Serendipity 3

What: Golden Opulence Sundae

How much: $1,000

Description: Serendipity 3 holds several Guinness World Records for its opulently priced foods, such as 2007's "Frrozen Haute Chocolate" — a $25,000 dessert with edible gold, a gold bracelet, 1 carat of white diamonds and 14 of the world's most expensive cocoas.

The pricey drink appears to no longer be on the menu, but its $1,000 "Golden Opulence Sundae" is. The sundae holds the Guinness record as the most expensive sundae in the world and, obviously, contains edible gold leaf.

Private Christmas dinner at the Peninsula Hotel

What: Christmas Dinner in Clement’s Private Dining Room

How much: $325 adults, $125 children 12 years and under (not including tax or gratuity). All private dining reservations require a $5,000 minimum.

Description: The luxury hotel bills it as the perfect space to host an intimate, family-style holiday gathering. It’s available for eight to 12 guests, and the hotel will “take care of the details including delicious delicacies served family style and a table-side carved turkey.”

A Swarovski crystal-studded nutcracker

What: Ultra Premium Nutcracker with Swarovski Crystals

How much: $5,600

Description: Who even plays with nutcrackers?

That question likely will be immaterial for those willing to fork over five grand for this toy — a “staggering 20-inch Nutcracker” that’s inlaid with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

Tiffany & Co.'s five-figure golden, diamond-encrusted bangle

What: Bangle in Yellow Gold with Full Pavé Diamonds

How Much: $32,000

Description: Tiffany & Co. is synonymous with extravagance, but not all the jeweler's offerings are out of the typical New Yorkers' budget.

Not so with this golden bangle, which costs more than the $28,000 annual income that New York City sets as in the lowest affordable housing bracket for a single person.

A $75,000-a-night stay in the Plaza Hotel

What: The Ultimate Suite Experience

How much: From $75,000 a night

Description: Kevin McCallister in "Home Alone 2" managed to pay for his stay at the Plaza Hotel with his father's credit card.

But most people, aside from the mega-rich, likely don't have that luxury.

Say you're looking for unspeakable luxury from Dec. 23 to Dec. 26. Then consider booking the "Royal Suite Three Bedroom" at the Plaza.

The suite has a private elevator overlooking Fifth Avenue and Pulitzer Fountain. And the hotel bills it as a "favorite of heads of state, large families, and those seeking to entertain in grand style."