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We discovered these vases at a little store in Montauk, and it was love at first sight. Appropriate considering they're called Aphrodite vases. So, we had to tell you about them for Valentine's Day. The vases come in a variety of shapes and sizes including deseo, prado and heart. We couldn't choose, so we bought them all!

Price: $30–$60

Purchase here

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We thought technology couldn't be romantic, but CEIVA's digital photo frames changed our minds. So easy to set up even one of our technologically impaired editors managed it, CEIVA frames receive photos, greeting cards and more wirelessly from iPhones, Blackberrys and computers.

Price: $127.99 for CEIVAshare, $147.99 for CEIVA Pro 80

Purchase here

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To keep your memories long after you make them, store them in these colorful boxes from the Container Store. We love to give our kids a box a year to fill with finger paintings, A+ report cards and more. Stacked or stored under a bed, these containers feature metal label holders that make it easy to identify whose memories are whose.

Price: $9.99–$12.99

Purchase here

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Quick and easy cleanup combined with high style? The single-use WASARA set, with 100% biodegradable cups, plates and bowls, is the answer to a party girl's cleanup dreams. Designed in Japan, this contemporary kit is made from tree-free, all-natural materials that are as earth-friendly as they are fashion-forward.

Price: $18.00

Purchase here

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The future is now . . . and it's wireless. Kiss those hard to find chargers and their ugly wires good-bye with the Powermat, which lets us wirelessly charge our gadgets—from the iPod to the Blackberry—in one convenient location. And with its sleek black design, the Powermat is as attractive as it is cool.

Price: $99.99

Purchase Powermat

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This LEGO Alarm Clock is sure to make the child on your gift list wake up with a smile. The clock—with a digital display, snooze button and AM/FM radio—looks just like a LEGO brick. You can even stack it on the LEGO Boombox to make your own LEGO creation.

Price: $29.99

Purchase LEGO Alarm Clock

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Feel the love this holiday with these gorgeous pillows handmade in Nepal from 100% felted wool. The company, Fabricadabra, only uses small manufacturers that treat and pay women fairly. That's the spirit, holiday or anytime!

Price: $45.00

AskMelissa Special: Receive a 20% discount with promo code AskMelissa. Valid through December 31.

Purchase LOVE Wool Pillow Covers

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Let your drink lounge in style. These sleek coasters are from MoMA, one of our favorite gift sources. Featuring the chair designs of Charles and Ray Eames, the set of 4 coasters comes in clear acrylic with rubber feet—thus no breaking or scratching surfaces. We'll toast to that!

Price: $20

Purchase here

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Like to get a little loopy at parties? Then this is the perfect gift to bring. From MoMA, it marries functionality and fashion with a twist on the fruit bowl. Filled with fruit or even empty, the single piece of chromed-steel wire will look great on any table or counter, no matter the décor.

Price: $42

Purchase here

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We love a company that turns an ugly duckling into a swan. Enter these eye-popping cutting boards, with odes to everyone from Andy Warhol to Paul Smith. Available in sizes from 12" x 12" and 12" x 16", the cutting boards are odor, stain and heat resistant, dishwasher safe and made with nonskid glass and nonslip rubber feet. If we have to slice and dice, we'd rather use something pretty!

Price: $30

AskMelissa Special: Receive free shipping when you enter promo code NBCAM in the "comments section" in the shopping cart. Valid through November.

Purchase here

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Isn't it fun when something ordinary is made beautiful? Witness this stainless-steel bottle opener from Danish company Nuance. Inspired by the drop of a sparkling cold beverage, the ergonomic design coupled with a hollow interior makes this opener a pleasure to hold, no matter how many tops have to be popped.

Price: $32

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When everyone walks into our house and says, "What is that smell?" and they mean it in a good way, we know we're onto something. Help your hostess welcome her own guests with this delicious home fragrance combining jasmine, cucumber, basil and ylang ylang. We have them in every room—and we'd bathe in it if we could!

Price: $45–$195, depending on size

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One of life's minor annoyances? Is it Gorgonzola or Roquefort, Brie or Camembert? Write on this slate tray with chalk or soapstone pencil to ID your hors d'oeuvres or wines. Backed with felt to prevent scratching surfaces, it cleans up easily with water and sponge. For the perfect personal touch, monogram with your hosts' initials. Cheers to no more mystery munching!

Price: $54

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For those oh-so-finicky hosts this holiday, we love vivabox, combining freedom of choice with the personal touch of a real gift. In the box you'll find a theme-inspired gift, along with a gift card that lets your lucky recipient pick out a second gift from vivabox's website. Choose from among 12 themes, including wine, spas, coffee and museums, and you'll never give a bad gift again—viva la box!

Price: $29.95–$160

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Ditch the traditional pumpkin pie this year and show up at the party with these divinely delicious sugar cookies from janeyCakes NYC. Each sugar cookie, glazed with royal icing, is homemade with natural ingredients. The holiday and seasonal shapes are perfect for this time of year. But janeyCakes can bake every flavor, shape, size, color, quantity and theme under the sun, making these cookies perfect for every occasion. They also make cakes and cupcakes. Licking your lips already? We thought so.

Price: $3–$4/cookie, depending on design

Purchase here or call 917.750.5903

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You can never, ever have too much jewelry! So how excited are we to hand out house jewelry as hostess gifts? These agate plates come in rich colors displaying natural character. We love them for cheese, sushi or hors d'oeuvres, but they are also scratchproof and can withstand high temperatures to double as a trivet. There's that functional/beautiful thing again!

Price: $55, set of two small; $70, large

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To make your poker party diva worthy, here are some of our favorite finds from SoLUXE. You'll feel lucky with their monogrammed offerings in sophisticated patterns and colors. Buy them for yourself, bring them to your hostess—either way, it's a sure bet.

Purchase coasters, $35
Purchase tray, $120
Purchase cutting board, $39
Purchase plate, $20
Purchase cards, $55

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This elegant candle shows its true colors (pink, of course!) from its packaging to its wax. Celebrating the rose in all its glory, the divine scent and warm glow will ward off the winter doldrums. And the 20% of October sales they are donating to the Pink Agenda warm our heart. Light the way to a cure.

Price: $68

Purchase here

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You can never be too rich, too thin—or have too many beach towels. Whether it's the beach in the Hamptons or the pool in Connecticut, beach towels from the Monogram Shop are a welcome treat. We love their heavyweight feel in stripes or solids, and monogramming them adds that little something extra. Embroider your hosts' name or initials, or go tongue-in-cheek with Houseguest, Private Property or No Trespassing. Need to kick it up a notch? Skip the gift wrap and roll up the towels inside a monogrammed tote bag!

Purchase here

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A fabulous housewarming gift, this clear Lucite tray can be personalized with your host's initial at the bottom of the tray. We love it for everything from organizing a desk to serving cocktails in style. Choose from an array of trendy patterns, colors and fonts for the bottom of the tray.

Purchase here

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Belle Fleur

My favorite floral arrangements are from Belle Fleur. I love their “season of flowers” package. You can send Elegant bouquets for Valentine’s Day as well as seasonal packages which include four arrangements sent seasonally throughout the year. Four seasons, four bouquets, $400.

Purchase here

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Also from Belle Fleur is their signature collection of aromatic candles. Brand new to their collection is the Celebration Champagne candle for $88.

Purchase here

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My favorite gift for guys is The 30-Second Barista. It’s an espresso pod (one cup) machine that makes rich Italian coffee with frothy milk in 30 seconds. This sleak, modern design in red is $169.95.

Purchase here

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If you crave a more traditional type of lighting, look no further than the classic and elegant Diptyque set of candles. These three aromatic candles promise to add a subtle glow to any room.

Purchase here

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• SoLUXE offers beautiful personalized gifts, stationery and accessories -- a hot trend this season
• Top-selling gift items are trays, cutting boards and luggage tags that come in fresh, modern patterns
• You can also start your own home business -- sign up to be a Soluxe sales rep today

Purchase here