The good thing about my New Zealand friends is the oneupmanship is unintentional (I'm almost sure;)). They're really nice, inherited a lot of money, and they've spent it so good luck to them! But there's a couple of others with, I'm sure, more dubious motives, LOL.

I think you've hit on a good idea there: Round Robin letters detailing what books and lip glosses you've bought this year, and which are the best. I'd love that.

Impending coronation, eh? Yeah, why not, how are they going to know I'm not telling the truth? ;)