8 Most Over-the-Top Gifts in History

What do you get the person who has everything this season? Is there such a thing as “too extravagant”?

Not for celebs like Beyoncé, who receive gifts like a 12.5-acre island worth a cool $20 million without missing a beat.

If you’ve got someone in your life, who like Queen Bey, seems to have it all, we’ve got your jaw-dropping inspiration right here.

Take a peek at 8 wild gift ideas based on the most over-the-top gifts in history.

1. Bling Fit for a Queen

History is filled with inspiration when it comes to incredible jewels given as gifts. Count Grigory Orlov gave 18th-century royal Catherine the Great a nearly 200-carat diamond.

In the 1550s, Philip II of Spain gave Mary I of England the legendary pearl La Peregrina, in anticipation of putting a ring on it.

Elizabeth Taylor was the last famous owner of the pearl, so it’s tried and tested for any photo opps your celeb-channeling friend might encounter.

2. A Trip to Space

Katy Perry gave ex-husband Russell Brand a $200,000 trip to space with Virgin Galactic for his 35th birthday.

No matter how jaded the celeb in your life might be, an out-of-this-world getaway is hard to beat.

3. Lifetime Protection for Two Pandas (or Wildlife of Your Choice)

In 1973, China gave Richard Nixon two pandas. They skipped the White House and instead lived a long life at the National Zoo.

And back in 1514, King Manuel of Portugal gave a white elephant to Pope Leo X.

These days, you should forgo the wildlife purchase. Make a donation to a wildlife refuge in their name instead. It’s the perfect excuse to book that bucket list trip for you and your VIP friend.

4. The World’s Swankiest Toilet Seat (or Tub)

Ben Affleck had a unique gift idea when he gave then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez a $105,000 diamond-encrusted toilet seat.  Beyoncé got a Swarovski tub fit for her little princess Blue Ivy.

Either gift is sure to dial up the glamour on the every day—and you can bet it’s not a gift they “already have.”

5. A Fast Food Empire

Kanye West bought Kim Kardashian 10 Burger King franchises throughout Europe.  Celebs love their fast food and coffee shops, so why not buy your fab friend a location or ten of their favorite franchise?

 

We’ve all seen our share of celeb-owned restaurant fails (remember Britney Spears’ Nyla and Jennifer Lopez’s Madre?). So a franchise might be just the way to go.

6. A Stadium of Their Very Own

When Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Salama married in 1981, the Sheikh’s father built them a 20,000-seat stadium worth $22 million.

Imagine the events your friend could host if they had their very own stadium. It certainly would solve the party venue challenge of never having enough seating.

7. A Super-Yacht to Cruise the Mediterranean

Who wouldn’t love a super-yacht? But as one of the ultimate status symbols, it might be a stretch for your wallet.

Fear not. While it’s not your typical group gift, you could do what the people of Norway did in 1947: The whole nation contributed funds to give their King Haakon VII the Royal Yacht Norge.

8. The (DNA) Discovery of a Lifetime

Finding out your ethnic makeup with a DNA test can be even more surprising than a gift too big for a bow – or even a trip to space. Fair warning: The results could well trigger happy tears.

And if you haven’t quite worked your way up to the 6+ figure gift club yet, an AncestryDNA test is a more affordable way to treat your friends.

You could even treat yourself and find out where you really come from with a DNA test of your very own. You may well be surprised.