With the holiday season approaching and gift lists lengthening, I’ve selected some of my high- and low-priced favorite gifts, because it’s not the price that matters when seeking out über-luxe items. What really counts is the style, design, quality and usefulness of your purchases. So enter into to my fave chic zone of top sources...

Loro Piana

A snugly robe or coat is always a favorite gift. For the best of the best, choose Vicuña, which sets the standard for luxurious fabrics. It’s the softest, lightest, warmest fiber in existence, woven from the fleece of the small South American camelid. It’s used for the world’s finest robes, coats, sweaters and scarves. Loro Piana has taken a primary conservationist role in protecting these rare Andean animals. Most of the entire production of Vicuña fleece is purchased by Loro Piana; these garments are a rare luxury. www.loropiana.com

Gyokuro Tea

Gyokuro tea is one of my personal luxuries. It’s a rare, exclusive and exquisite tea with floral notes and gentle caffeine. Extremely low in tannins, it has wonderful aroma and flavor, and a distinctly green color. My favorite source is SerendipiTea, a specialty tea shop Manhasset, New York. Visit www.serendipitea.com to peruse their extensive menu of tea. They ship it gift-wrapped and fresh to your door, even overnight if you are running low.

To brew tea one cup at a time, try the 14-ounce glass mug from Adagio Tea (www.adagio.com). It has a stainless steel brewer right in the cup and is convenient for travel.

Hybrid Cars

If you’re ready to replace the old gas-hungry car for a new and improved model, one of these beauties may be just the thing. Unlike their slow, boxy hybrid predecessors, these cars are sexy and powerful. Pop a gigantic bow on the hood and it’s a gift one will not soon forget.

Mercedes’ MBZ E320 BlueTEC is a high-mileage diesel version that drives like it has 500 horsepower due to its massive torque. It’s clean-burning without a hint of diesel fumes.

The Lexus LS 600h L vehicle is the brand’s first full-size luxury sedan to offer a true hybrid power train. An fuel-efficient V8 engine is paired with twin electric motors that greatly boost its performance and mileage in city driving. All-wheel drive is standard, so the recipient of your generosity can navigate Chicago’s wintery streets.

Dr. Hauschka’s Rose Body Moisturizer

Dr. Hauschka’s Rose Body Moisturizer is an essential luxury. It claims many healing properties and treats your body with the most delicious fragrance. Their roses are picked in the morning while the dew is still on the petals, a biodynamic method that keeps the fragrance alive. www.drhauschka.com

Eco-Friendly Fashion

Gift certificates for a new wardrobe are always a can’t-fail for those picky gift-receivers. New eco-fashions from Marc Jacobs, Versace, Jil Sander, Narciso Rodriguez, Noir, Adili, Beau Soleil and Stella McCartney set the pace for this genre.,br>
Sunglasses also make great stocking stuffers. Classic designs are fashioned in sustainable woods by iWood ecodesign, and are great for that eco-trip to the Caribbean.

Eco-Candles

Candles invoke magic, romance and elegance, but not all have that type of appeal. Think of the cheap, sickly-sweet, artificial-fragranced candles we’ve all encountered! Earth friendly choices crafted from beeswax, soy or arrayon tree wax are great eco-romance enhancers. They’re often infused with essential oils for wonderful, non-toxic aromas. Check out www.modernecohomes.com/eco-candles, www.treeswaterpeople.org or www.jimmyjane.com for some of my favorites.