Neiman Marcus Unveils the 80th Edition of Its Legendary Christmas Book Promising a One-of-a-Kind Gift-Giving Experience

With Holiday Gifts That Are Literally Out-of-This-World, the 2006 Christmas Book Features a Charter to Space, Luxury Pet Homes and a Sports Celebrity Dream Package, Among Other Extraordinary Gifts

Neiman Marcus Selects the Joe Torre Safe At Home(TM) Foundation as This Year's Featured Charity

DALLAS, Oct. 3 -- Neiman Marcus, the specialty retailer renowned for close to a century for its stellar customer service and unique luxurious offerings, continues its commitment to making holiday dreams a reality as it unveils the 2006 Christmas Book today in Dallas.

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The 80th edition of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book features an extraordinary collection of fantasy gifts sure to satisfy those seeking the ultimate in gift-giving as well as practical shoppers with luxurious taste. Highlights from this year's edition include, among others: a Virgin Galactic(R) Charter to Space, an All-Star Sports Celebrity Dream Package, and a His and Hers Commuter Twike vehicle. This year's featured car is the 2007 BMW(R) Individual M6 Convertible.

First published in 1926 as a 16-page catalog, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book was initially intended as a Christmas card to the store's best customers. Building on tradition through the years, the book has maintained its personal touch while evolving into a legendary source for alluring and mystical gifts that marks the start of the holiday season.

"This year's selection of enticing and desirable fantasy gifts is another example of the unique and high-quality holiday offerings our dedicated customers have come to know and love," said Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Direct. "Gift-givers everywhere can officially kick off the holiday season by browsing these spectacular presents in the Christmas Book and by visiting http://www.neimanmarcus.com/ ."

Included among the assortment of gifts in this year's Christmas Book are some remarkable items:

VIRGIN GALACTIC(R) CHARTER TO SPACE

When you charter Virgin Galactic for a journey into space, the heavens are truly within reach. Burt Rutan, whose SpaceShipOne(R) has already completed three space missions, is being funded by Virgin to build a larger, commercial version exclusively for Virgin Galactic. SpaceShipTwo(R) will detach from its launching aircraft approximately 10 miles up, fire its custom-designed hybrid rocket, and propel you into space. About 63 miles above sea level, you will experience weightlessness firsthand. After returning to Earth, each astronaut and a guest will enjoy luxury accommodations on Necker Island and four nights of all-inclusive festivities on Sir Richard Branson's private island retreat in the British Virgin Islands. This luxurious stay on Necker Island as well as a six-person charter of SpaceShipTwo is being offered exclusively by Neiman Marcus. With events on land, in the air, and in space, this is the ultimate getaway.($1,764,000.00 for six-person space trip charter; page 87)

PENCIL SKYSCRAPER BY THE ART GUYS

Since 1983, Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing, The Art Guys, have made lively, engaging art that is the antithesis of stuffed-shirt intellectualism. Meticulously crafted of thousands of No. 2 pencils precision-sharpened to exactly the right sizes, "Bonded Activity #55 (Skyscraper)" is a one-of-a-kind sculpture that reaches a full seven feet into the air and has a 36-square-inch base. Your gift includes a 47-inch by 90-inch framed original work that outlines in exquisite detail the methods used in this unique piece of art. Similar smaller-scale 20-inch tall pencil sculptures are also available for your tabletop. ($40,000.00 and $6,000.00; page 88)

HIS AND HERS TWIKE COMMUTER VEHICLE

Our His & Hers Twike commuter vehicle is completely gasoline-, emission-, and guilt-free. This cozy two-seater features a zero-emission electric power system that can be supplemented with human pedal power, as desired. Weighing less than 600 pounds, Swiss and German engineers have designed it with lightweight aluminum alloys and reinforced floors. Its state-of-the-art, six- kilowatt hour, nickel-alloy batteries can be fully charged from a regular household outlet. Powered by a three-kilowatt electric motor, it can achieve speeds of up to 55 miles per hour with a range of up to 90 miles per charge. Our NM(R) exclusive edition features a sporty British racing green exterior to balance its silver-gray interior, velour carpeting, and leather seats.($40,000; page 89)

GG QUAD

Rolling the power and performance of a European sports car into the agility and open-air freedom of a motorcycle, this intoxicating machine is the first-of-its-kind: a high-performance quad machine that is street legal (pending U.S. Department of Transportation and individual state licensing requirements). Masterminded by Swiss automotive engineers, it offers the best of both worlds. The four-wheel independent-suspension system has hydraulic struts to level all four wheels on the road at all times, even when cornering at 115 mph, the GG Quad's top speed. Our exclusive offering includes an NM(R) orange paint finish and side storage panniers. ($56,465.00; page 90)

THE CLUB AT CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO(R)

Founded in the 12th century, Castiglion Del Bosco ("Castle in the Woods") is nestled among the ruins of a medieval fortress on 4,500 rolling acres overlooking the timeless Val D'Orcia. There are 21 villas, 150 acres of vineyards, and a working winery famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine. Each 3,000- to 6,000-square foot villa is being renovated and furnished to offer a host of luxury amenities, including a private heated swimming pool, a luxury vehicle for use during visits, and comprehensive daily hospitality and concierge services. The 120 available memberships include: virtually unrestricted yearly time in the villas (subject only to the Club's Reservation and Use Plan), unlimited use of all other amenities year-round, and a case of each year's vintage. Each membership is active in perpetuity and can be handed down for future generations to enjoy.($3,800,000.00; page 92)

JACQUES FATH ARCHIVES

Jacques Fath opened his couture salon in Paris in 1937 and became one of the first French designers to export haute couture collections to the United States. By 1947, his sweeping skirts were reshaping a global industry still in its infancy. Sadly, his career was cut short with his death in 1954 and the close of the couture line two years later. Fath had a profound impact on popular culture and unlike most designers, kept meticulous records of his design sketches. In partnership with Rita Watnick of Lily et Cie, we proudly offer a rare chronicle of historic significance: the only archival record of the House of Fath. This museum-quality collection includes 26 volumes of original sketchbooks from 1948 through 1956, with more than 3,400 couture designs, and three exquisite Fath haute couture dresses, each with its accompanying sketch. ($3,500,000.00; page 93)

LIMITED-EDITION PET HOMES

To celebrate that spirit of blissful two- and four-legged cohabitation, we present luxury pet homes from Italian designer Marco Morosini. The retro-style Nomad is designed for transport, featuring wheels and crafted of poplar with an interior rug and coordinating wallpaper. The ultra-modern Good Life provides the perfect setting to receive guests -- inside its minimalist 44- inch crystal case is your pooch's very own plush armchair of Italian leather. Both homes will accommodate pets up to seven pounds and are carefully handcrafted by Italian artisans for indoor use. Our exclusive editions are limited to only ten of each style, and each will be numbered and signed by the designer.($5,000.00 and $7,000.00; page 94)

BACKYARD WATER PARK

We joyously present the extreme backyard water park by Waterplay(R). Built on your level site, this gift package offers the best of a professional water park with none of the hassles. Our exclusive package includes 26 interactive water columns, maneuverable cannons, spray faces, water games, and ground sprays that encourage creative play. Rest assured safety has been designed in. This one-level, obstacle-free water park can be enjoyed by little ones (and big kids) of all ages, ability levels, sizes, and mobility levels. Our gift package includes a programmable control panel to optimize water usage. A customized package for your space and interests is available.(Beginning at $100,000.00; page 95)

ALL-STAR SPORTS CELEBRITY DREAM PACKAGE: CHARITY AUCTION

We've all daydreamed about inviting a sports hero to dinner. This year's Christmas Book charity event makes those dreams come true ... and helps make families safer at home. Be the high bidder and purchase our Dream Package, and you and three of your lucky guests will enjoy VIP travel, accommodations, and tickets to six incredible pro sports events: the 2007 NHL(R) All-Star Game in Dallas; Super Bowl XLI(R) in South Florida; the 2007 NBA(R) All-Star Game in Las Vegas; the 2007 Major League Baseball(R) All-Star Game in San Francisco; the 2007 US Open Tennis Championships Women's Final in Queens, NY; and a bonus surprise event (it's a secret, but you're going to love it). Amazing, but it gets much better. While at each event, your group will have the once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to share a private meal with a living legend from that sport. Talk Stanley Cup(R) prospects with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Get football insight from Super Bowl quarterback Troy Aikman. Ask basketball legend Magic Johnson how he perfected his jump shot. Discuss the finer points of pitching with Baseball Hall-of-Famer(R) Bob Gibson. Get Chris Evert to analyze the US Open Women's Final for you. Learn how to play that tricky hole at your favorite Arnold Palmer-designed golf course from the man himself. Luxury accommodations will be provided by The Ritz-Carlton(R) with first-class travel via American Airlines(R). The very best part: 100% of the gross proceeds from our online auction will benefit the Joe Torre Safe At Home(R) Foundation. This exceptional foundation is dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and making sure every child has the kind of home he or she deserves, where they are safe, loved, happy, and healthy. Sadly, baseball manager and former All-Star Joe Torre witnessed abuse and violence as a child and knows firsthand the devastation it causes. In creating this foundation in memory of his dear mother, Margaret, Joe has established a resource for community education and awareness as well as safe rooms in schools, known as Margaret's Place, for children to go. Our Dream Package can make your dreams come true, and most importantly, it can profoundly affect the lives of children and make their dreams of being happy come true. All in all, it is a win-win situation of epic proportions. Pre-qualification for this online auction will start October 3, 2006. The auction launch date is Tuesday, November 7, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. PST, running for ten days and ending on Friday, November 17, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. PST. The suggested minimum starting bid is $250,000. Only one Dream Package is available. For more information on how to participate in this ultimate online event, please call 1.877.9NM.GIFT or go to http://www.neimanmarcus.com/ . The Kompolt Online Auction Agency has been retained to manage this auction.(Starting at $250,000.00; page 91)

NM(R) LIMITED-EDITION 2007 BMW(R) INDIVIDUAL M6 CONVERTIBLE

The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is proud to showcase the 2007 BMW Individual M6 Convertible; only 50 NM Limited-Editions will be made. The unmistakable roar of its 5.0-liter, V-10 engine delivering 500 horsepower is at your command. Making its debut as a convertible, this M6 has everything you crave from a BMW. Its special paint treatment and premium interior appointments were created to satisfy the most discerning drivers. Your ultimate driving experience includes meeting the BMW of your dreams in Munich while enjoying an exclusive European adventure, including two business class tickets on Lufthansa(R) from New York, gourmet meals, and luxurious accommodations for four nights. You will be privy to "behind the scenes" access to BMW culture and have the opportunity to meet with the engineers and designers who were involved in the creation of your 2007 BMW Individual M6 Convertible. This once-in-a-lifetime trip is scheduled for Spring 2007. Your unique opportunity to learn more and order this magnificent machine and experience begins at noon EDT on October 18.($139,000.00; page 97)

The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book will be distributed to nearly two million homes throughout the United States and worldwide. Subscriptions to the 2006 Christmas Book may be ordered for $15 by calling 1-800-NEIMANS. All of the spectacular selections in this year's edition are showcased online on the Neiman Marcus website http://www.neimanmarcus.com/ , making it conveniently accessible to all customers.

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