perssimist-gift-mattress-with-lockbox6. THE OPTIMIST AND PESSIMIST GIFTS

A memorable fantasy gift from the 1970 Christmas Book has been reimagined for today’s Optimist and Pessimist. The original offered a fully stocked ark (complete with animals, a French chef, and a Park Avenue physician) for the former and a humble oak sapling for the latter. This year’s reinterpretation includes a bracelet that gives back by Akola for the Optimist and a king-sized mattress with a camouflaged lockbox to hide the Pessimist’s valuables.

For the Optimist: Akola Bracelet

Invest in the future and support the Akola Project with the purchase of a bracelet. Akola Project is a nonprofit organization that empowers marginalized women to become agents of transformation in their families and communities around the globe. For every piece of jewelry sold, Akola is able to empower more women globally. This bracelet features hand-rolled paper beads in black or white, a recycled-glass bead, and two accent disks plated in 18-karat gold.

With the purchase of an Akola bracelet, Neiman Marcus will donate $25 to the Akola Project. ($25, page 130)

For the Pessimist: Mattress with Built-in Lockbox

To the pessimist, the end is always near. Stock your valuables away in a fire proof and impenetrable lockbox built inside a king-size mattress with matching foundation. Engineered and crafted by father-son artisans Dale and Brian Gingerich of Gingerich Built/Monterey Mattress in Carmel California, the gift features premium padding and springs, certified-sustainable Canadian lumber, organic cotton, wool, and latex foam rubber.

With the purchase of each Gingerich Built/Monterey Mattress with lockbox, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. ($25,000, page 131)