How to spend $160m without even trying
Updated on 14 January 2009
Felicity Spector looks ahead to Barack Obama's lavish, inaugural ceremony - potentially the costliest ever.
As befits the highest spending election in history - this is also the most expensive inauguration - the bill - just shy of a hundred and sixty million bucks.
From security to transportation, and public events galore, it's no easy feat keeping the expected two million people who'll descend on the nation's capital happy and entertained.
This year's theme - 'a new birth of freedom' is meant to echo the Lincoln age: and it comes complete with a specially designed meal.
Two hundred years ago the lavish buffet in honour of Abe's inauguration included terrapin stew, fois gras, cream candies and no end of puddings and cakes.
None of it exactly politically correct fare for today's rather more discerning times: and, according to the LA Times, the dinner was a disaster as crowds grabbed at the food with untrammelled greed, utterly destroying the display.
Perhaps Obama might take more of a cue from FDR's wartime inauguration - with a far more credit-crunch friendly spread: all cold chicken salad, rolls without butter and plain, frosting-free cake.
Happily for the 200 foodies invited to next week's sit down dinner - the menu has now been revealed: apparently reflecting Lincoln's favourite food. So there's seafood stew, pheasant and duck with sour cherry chutney and molasses sweet potatoes - followed by apple cinnamon sponge - all washed down with a few bottles of Californian wine. Yum.
If you're not on the A-list guest-list: never fear - a host of restaurants across Washington DC are laying on a few tempting deals: try the Obama roll, described as a 'lean and green offering' with mixed green vegetables dusted with sesame seeds.
Or if that leaves you peckish, and it doesn't sound a barrel of laughs - why not try the more substantial Biden Brunch - complete with a Biden impersonator to keep 'em smiling.
If you fancy a spot of Southern Delaware chicken in a blanket, or Tater Tot Hash - with a side order of antacid tablets, perhaps - book now while stocks last.
But these aren't the only fascinating details emerging about the inaugural festivities. If you hurry, there are still tickets available to plenty of inaugural balls: fancy the Texas State Society's Black Tie and Boots affair, for just three hundred bucks? Maybe not - although apparently eleven thousand people have already signed up.
Or for the more street-cred experience - join Jay-Z and LL Cool J at the Hip-Hop inaugural ball: a VIP ticket is yours for a mere two and a half grand. But it does come complete with a free bar.
And more news from the Obama camp: never mind about all those Cabinet confirmation hearings, this appointment's worth holding the front page for.
Yes, the First Family have named their official decorator - Santa Monica designer Michael S Smith - who counts Stephen Spielberg and Cindy Crawford among his clients.
He'll be in charge of restyling the White House, including the Obama girls' bedrooms - and promises to stick to the Obama family's 'casual style... untilising affordable brands and products'.
An advertising opportunity presumably not lost on bargain furniture store Ikea - which has set up a replica 'Oval Office', adorned with 'fiscally responsible furnishings' - its slogan? 'Change begins at home'.
Right then. Six days and counting till inaugration day - still time to live like an Obama: all it takes is a shopping trip for a cheap sofa, and for sustinence - a green vegetable roll or two.
