Looking for a creative way to spend your soon-to- arrive tax-rebate check? Whether you're single, married or part of a family of four, we have ideas to help fuel the economy. Sure, you could do something fiscally responsible, like pay off part of that crazy credit-card bill, but - ugh - how boring! We can hear those wallets opening already . . . ka-ching!

$600 (single)

FOR A FASHION FIX:

OVER-THE-TOP

One Christian Louboutin strappy sandal ($1,345 a pair). At Neiman Marcus. Sorry, the match will have to wait.

PRACTICAL

A new spring ensemble: Banana Republic's "Faustine" platform sandals ($159), sleeveless printed dress ($130), cotton cardigan ($89), straw woven tote ($98) and "Doris" sunglasses ($118).

FOR A PAMPERED SPLURGE:

OVER-THE-TOP

36 tubes of MAC Dazzleglass lipgloss. At MAC.

PRACTICAL

All that decades-old makeup you've been hoarding? Ditch it. All of it. That nasty old bag you got free from a Lancome purchase? That goes, too. You can easily spend your rebate on an entirely new beauty collection at Sephora. Just be sure a fabulous brush set is part of it, and keep it all neatly stored in Sephora's Metro Train Case ($98).

FOR A CULINARY FEAST:

OVER-THE-TOP

Invest! Buy three bottles of '03 Morey-Coffinet Batard-Montrachet ($180.99 each) at Denver's Grape Expectations (grapeexpectations.org). Stash them in your cellar and let them age. Then throw a fancy wine-and- cheese party - call The Truffle (denvertruffle.com) and have them make up a cheese tray with the remaining $57!

PRACTICAL

185 Lean Cuisine frozen dinners, about 140 Subway 6-inch subs or 111 McDonald's Quarter Pounder extra- value meals, including tax.

$1200 (married)

FOR A FASHION FIX:

OVER-THE-TOP

His and her shades! For her: Giorgio Armani aviators with crystal stud details ($595). At Nordstrom.com. For him: Dolce & Gabbana aviator sunglasses ($365). Spend the extra $240 on two bottles of Orlane Paris Pure Soin Sun Cream SPF 15 ($110, each). At saksfifthavenue.com.

PRACTICAL

Beach bonanza! For her: Letarte "Safari" bikini ($78) and matching kaftan ($160) and La Blanca one-piece swimsuit ($117), at figleaves.com; Marc by Marc Jacobs rectangle sunglasses ($95) and Lacoste beach bag ($125), at Macys.com. For him: Quicksilver board shorts ($49.50), Speedo board shorts ($50), two Tommy Bahama T-shirts ($38 each), Ray-Ban shades ($129), Cole Haan thong sandals ($98) and two Ralph Lauren beach towels ($50 each), at Macys.com. Add a Timex Ironman Triathlon digital watch ($119.95), at REI, and a waterproof case for your iPod ($99.99), at h2oaudio.com.

FOR A PAMPERED SPLURGE:

OVER-THE-TOP

His and her spa day! For her: 80-minute four-hands massage ($300), 80-minute facial ($225), leg, arm and bikini wax ($185) and 80-minute pedicure ($90). For him: men's facial ($125), classic haircut, sideburn and neck trim and color ($105) and 80-minute body treatment ($145). At The Spa at the Brown Palace Hotel.

PRACTICAL

For him: 311/2 haircuts at Floyd's Barber Shop ($19 each). For her: 16 manicures and pedicures ($37 for both) at Nails Touch, 343 S. Colorado Blvd.

FOR A CULINARY FEAST:

OVER-THE-TOP

Head up to the Telluride Wine Festival! Two weekend passes (it's June 25 to 28) cover Friday's grand tasting luncheon, Saturday's champagne brunch and access to all seminars ($395 per person). At tellurideticket.com. Don't forget to figure in two nights' lodging in the Alpine Vista room at the Peaks Resort ($389, including taxes and fees). thepeaks resort.com

PRACTICAL

35 date nights at the movies: two tickets ($19), large popcorn ($6), large drink ($5) and large candy ($4).

$1800 (family of four)

FOR A FASHION FIX:

OVER-THE-TOP

Prada for all! Nylon diaper bag ($1,100) for the kids, valet key chain ($140) for Dad and a trendy new belt for Mom ($285). At Neiman Marcus.

PRACTICAL

Skip the laundry for a week! For girls: seven swimsuits ($19.50 each), pairs of shorts ($19.50 each) and camisoles ($19.50 each), three three-packs of underwear ($12.50 each) and seven pairs of flip-flops ($6 each). For boys: seven pairs of swim trunks ($19.50 each), polos ($16.50 each) and shorts ($26.50 each), three three-packs of underwear ($12.50 each) and seven pairs of flip-flops ($14.50 each). All at Gap. For Mom: seven Prima Donna bras ($81 each), at SOL Store of Lingerie, Cherry Creek North. For Dad: a new sandal wardrobe, ($24 each), at dsw.com.

FOR A PAMPERED SPLURGE:

OVER-THE-TOP

Take the family to The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, for a one-night spa and golf getaway.

The package includes room, a massage and a round of golf for each person and more ($1,936 for two adults and two children under 12. Rates and availability vary). You'll have to kick in a couple of hundred more to cover the room and taxes, but think how refreshed you'll be! Visit Broadmoor.com.

PRACTICAL

Pack up the bags and head a few miles away to a hotel. There's swimming! A fitness center! And in-room movies! Check out the Elitch Gardens package at the Cherry Creek Holiday Inn. At $269 a night, you can spend six nights and get four tickets to the theme park. (Rates and availability vary.) Visit holidayinn.com.

OVER-THE-TOP

Nine romantic dinners out for Mom and Dad ($125 for dinner, wine, tax and tip, plus $60 for five hours of baby-sitting each night and $15 for a pizza to feed the kids and the sitter).

FOR A CULINARY FEAST:

PRACTICAL

Feed your family of four a well-balanced diet for 31/2 months, with plenty of beef left over to fill your freezer:

* Half a side of beef (about 215 pounds) from Maytag Mountain Ranch ($965). At maytagmountainranch.com.

* 14 weeks of fruits and vegetables delivered to your door from Door to Door Organics ($38 a week for a medium-size box for 14 weeks, or $532 total). At denver.doortodoor organics.com.

* 14 weeks of deliveries from Longmont Dairy, including a gallon of milk, a gallon of orange juice and a pound of Cheddar cheese (about $17 a week, or $238 total). At longmontdairy.com.

* The damage? $1,735. With what's left over, treat the family to dessert.

Back to Top