Hey, big Christmas spenders!

Wealthy New Zealanders are spending triple-figure sums on everything from cars to art to jewellery for Christmas.

If you're wondering where the big spenders go, or if you fancy blowing your own budget in one go, and then some, there are plenty of options.

At Independent Prestige, manager Mike Adams has taken two orders for the Aston Martin DB9, understood to be Christmas gifts, at $320,000 apiece.

For those who truly want to splash out, Mr Adams says he can offer a Lamborghini Murcielago - "the ultimate in performance" - for a few cents more than $560,000.

But if that's just too obscenely priced, he is happy to organise a Bentley Arnage T for about $525,000. Yes, it's a lot of money, but it is "the absolute best in engineering, technology, style and comfort".

If you fancy dabbling in some fine art, John Gow, co-director of the Gow Langsford and John Leech Galleries in Auckland, said he could offer a Colin McCahon work for $4.5 million.

More reasonable was another landscape panel by the same artist, valued at $475,000. Although those pieces were still in the gallery, several other works of more than $100,000 had sold in the past few weeks.

Mr Gow advises prospective buyers to firstly buy art because "you like it and want it on your wall" but remember it will appreciate in value and "not many Christmas gifts do that".

Jewellery is not likely to appreciate in value, but it should have some staying power against gifts that end up at the back of a dusty cupboard.

Takapuna's Robinson Designer Goldsmith sold a four-carat diamond for $191,000 recently, and Glen Peachey, manager of Partridge Jewellers, sold a pair of coloured and white diamond earrings for $300,000.

If your tastes and bank account are a little more modest, but you are still keen to relieve a bulging wallet or purse, top-end stores around Auckland will be happy to help you out.

Ask for the most expensive present at DFS Galleria and staff will swiftly point you in the direction of Tiffany & Co. A diamond and platinum bubble ring to your left, with matching earrings and necklace will set you back $27,500.

Alternatively, there is the Chopard watch, above, with floating diamonds, for a little less than $21,000.

Christian Dior can provide a $4000 handbag, and even if it seems unreasonable you have to remember, "it's a timeless classic", says store manager Mercy Espinola.

And if fashion is the choice for this year's stocking fillers, it would be a shame not to pop into Trelise Cooper.

Manager Donna Vieira says many are doing so and one customer last week spent $6000 there. Another visits usually once a week - and "three times this week" - spending about $3000 every seven days.

"It's almost like an addiction for some people. It makes them feel good and it's better than drinking or gambling," Ms Vieira says.

For the traditionalists, there are also plenty of options that will make a dent in the savings.

Estee Lauder offers Re-Nutriv intensive lifting cream at $1275, but does it work?

"If it makes you feel good about yourself, then of course it works," says DFS sales manager Jicki Hill. "And it's cheaper than Botox."

Bilkey & Co on Auckland's High St can also help with a makeup compact. It's Dunhill 18-carat gold and a one-off from the 1950s - a snip at $4500.

RICH PICKINGS

Two $320,000 Aston Martins

One $300,000 pair of earrings

And a $6000 splurge at Trelise Cooper