WHEN it comes to Christmas gift-giving, we’ve all been guilty of blowing the budget on occasion – but these celebrities and their extravagant spending take it to a whole new level.
While the average joe forks up £100 on their usual present for their partner, these A-listers have racked up bills totalling thousands – and even millions – in an audacious display of festive love.
Some treats are certainly more practical than others and one or two might be deemed downright bizarre – but their intended recipients had no complaints come Christmas morning.
From properties to ponies and big money motors, we reveal the most outrageous presents these celebs splashed the cash on.
Victoria and David Beckham
It’s no secret that 50-year-old Sir David is a petrol head, with a decadent car collection to boot.
In 2005, wife Victoria, 51, gifted her husband with a very special addition for Christmas: a Rolls Royce Phantom.
Read more on the Beckhams
A serious status of wealth, the car purchase set her back a whopping £300k – but that’s a mere drop in the ocean when your household net worth is £500milion.
David was so taken by the car that he had it shipped over to Tinseltown when he was playing for LA Galaxy, and was often papped doing the school run in the elite motor.
Costly cars seem to be a winning Christmas present idea for the Beckhams, with David reportedly spending £55k on a mini-me Hummer for a then five-year-old Brooklyn back in the early 2000s.
As for the matriarch, Posh Spice is naturally accustomed to some lavish luxuries, though somewhat smaller in scale.
For Christmas 2012, David reportedly rang Harrods to order two sets of silk PJs by designer Olivia von Halle, setting him back over £250 a set.
Lady Gaga
When it comes to gifting to Gaga, record label Interscope took it to a whole new level with a present suitably befitting a (pop) princess.
For Christmas ten years ago, the Born this Way songstress opened the door to a real-life pony, all wrapped up in a pretty pink bow.
Sharing a photo on Instagram, Gaga – real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta – admitted she was shocked to find the ‘White Angel from heaven’ on her doorstep.
“I will ride, and care for, and love her forever,” she said at the time, later sharing snaps of her taking her gift for a spin.
Thankfully, Gaga, 39, already had some stables at her home to house the surprise Christmas present, the late Arabella, who sadly passed away in 2019.
Rihanna
Continuing with the animal theme, global music icon Rihanna, 37, once received a rather audacious art piece for Christmas in 2014 – a Jeff Koons steel dolphin.
The US artist is known for his inflatable aluminium animal designs and this particular standout sculpture was once sold at auction for over $5million [£3.7million].
The generous gift was from Ciarra Pardo, long-term friend and creative director of RIhanna’s Fenty Corp.
The delighted singer shared a photo of her new present on Instagram at the time, with the dolphin seen atop a GOAT coffee table book: a subtle reminder of her superstar status.
“thank you @ciarrap …this is so sexy. Love you sis #JeffKoonsOriginal #Ali #GOAT,” read the caption.
The Umbrella hitmaker is used to being spoilt during the festive season, previously receiving a $160,000 [£119,000] Porsche 911 Turbo S from Jay-Z and his management label Roc Nation in 2012.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
What does one gift their partner when you’re two of the biggest and richest players in Hollywood?
A waterfall was Angelina’s answer for then-hubby Brad Pitt, 61, in Christmas 2011, surprising him with the North California-based natural pool and the land surrounding it.
There was a deeper meaning behind Ange’s festive gesture, who purchased it with the idea that Brad could build his very own home over the waterfall.
The couple had previously paid a visit to architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania and Brad left wanting to recreate one of his own for him and his Mr and Mrs Smith co-star.
Mike Tyson
Former American heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, 59, also splashed the cash on an ex in a particularly ostentatious display of affection for Christmas in 1988.
The legendary boxer treated his new bride, now ex-wife, Robin Givens, to a 24-carat gold bathtub.
The bespoke tub reportedly cost Mike $2.2million [£1.6million] – and when it came to cost per use the former couple didn’t exactly get their money’s worth.
Mike and Robin were married for a year and the Hangover actor was forced to sell the tub a year later during the divorce, at a $1million [£744,000] loss.
Jay Z and Beyonce
Ever found yourself stuck for choice? Why not take a leaf out of Jay Z’s book and just buy them all?
The rapper and music mogul, 56, dropped a cool $350k [£260,000] in Hermes on Christmas Eve in 2010, snapping up several iconic Birkin bags for his Queen Bey, 44.
Jay Z was ushered into a private room at Hermes’ Madison Avenue store in New York, where he made his purchases.
A source told the New York Post that Jay was so consumed with his Christmas shopping that he missed his scheduled lunch reservation and had the restaurant deliver his food to the Hermes store instead.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim K, 45, also received a Birkin from then husband Kanye West for Christmas in 2013.
But Kim’s bag had extra bragging rights, featuring artwork by George Condo, who the rapper commissioned to hand paint the bag with a naked ladies themed mural.
Five years later, Ye, 48, reportedly treated Kim to a $14million [£10.4million] Miami beach condo that’s been dubbed “Billionaire Beach Bunker”.
Comprising four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms and a massive terrace that overlooks the shore, the building also came equipped with a pool, spa and gym – plus, private beach access.
The couple’s lavish Christmas spending has extended to their children too, with eldest child North West receiving a miniature black Lamborghini for her first festive season.
“Like father, like daughter,” Kim joked on Instagram, with North’s new car being a smaller replica of her daddy’s.
Kris and Kylie Jenner
The Kardashian clan can’t get enough of their personalised designer handbags, so we’ll give you one guess as to what gift Kris received from Kylie for Christmas last year.
The momager, 70, took to Instagram to gush over her customised Goyard bag from her youngest, billionaire daughter.
‘OMG @kyliejenner this is incredible. Lucky mom,’ read her caption as she posted a pic of the $4k [£2900] black patterned purse.
Fans could also clearly see the special personalisation Kylie, 28, had chosen for the Goyard, with throwback childhood snaps of all six Kardashian Jenner kids sweetly printed on the holdall.
Travis Scott
It’s a ‘made it’ moment for any celebrity when they’re able to give back to their families after years of sacrifice and support.
Kylie Jenner’s ex Travis Scott chose Christmas 2016 as his chance to treat his parents and siblings to a life-changing purchase.
“Merry Christmas.Gave my family a present I been working on my whole life. A home.
Very thankful,” read the rapper’s caption, showing off a snap of the swanky property’s green oasis garden and waterfall pool.
Travis, 34, shared his family’s sweet reaction to the ultra-generous gift on his Instagram Stories at the time, with his brother hilariously losing it at the sight of a Pepsi vending machine installed in the kitchen.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen, 40, couldn’t brie-leive her luck when husband John Legend, 46, unveiled her Christmas present for 2015.
The model-turned-cookbook-author found a huge wheel of parmesan cheese wrapped up under the tree from the All of You crooner – and it’s safe to say the boy did gouda.
“John got me my lifetime dream for Christmas! A cheese wheel to dump pasta and risotto in for years to come!” read her overjoyed Instagram caption.
“My tableside serving game is bout to be liiiiiit! Heading out to relax with the fam now woohoo!”
