When Suri Cruise’s Christmas wish list was leaked to the press last December, the celebrity news wagon circled and squawked over the profligacy. Between a pony, diamond earrings and a gown, it seemed Suri was going to have a very merry Christmas – to the tune of $130,000. And a month earlier, Kelly Rowland showered best friend Beyonce with Swarovski-crystal studded “Baby Diamond Bathtub” worth $5,200 for her upcoming bundle of joy.
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While these items represent the most extravagant of newborn extravagances, celebrities aren’t alone in spoiling their kids. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost of raising a child to age 18 for a two-parent, middle-income family has increased 40 percent over the past decade to $286,860 in 2010. While increased prices for major expenses like groceries and gas have added to the expense, it seems many parents are splurging on the variety of newly available luxury items for the under-two crowd.
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Here are seven recent items and trends in half-pint luxury. Some are overstated, others obnoxious, but each shows that these babies are well off … or at least their parents are.