Mr Dumas' trial heard that the mistress, Christine Deviers-Joncour, showered him with luxury gifts, paid for by Elf to win his influence.

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Hamilton rose to fame in a television advert in the 1980s, when she played a jilted lover who dumped luxury gifts in the street but kept the keys to a VW Golf.

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, were among the biggest spenders, dishing out gifts of all sorts, including luxury bags, polo shirts and chocolates.

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Like luxury goods everywhere it was also used for diplomatic gifts.

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Dallas luxury purveyor Neiman Marcus has unleashed its annual Christmas Book, and the customary fantasy gifts in it this year are as creative as ever.

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Adorable as teeny-tiny luxury goods are, most moms advise sizing up at least three to six months for gifts.

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