Special Section:
Luxury Guide

Small Luxuries

Dazzle loved ones with these gift ideas
that will make any Scrooge’s holiday
— or treat yourself

Electric Pedal

Geeky green chic: you don’t see those three words together often, but they apply to Ultra Motor’s A2B, a $2,700 bicycle that — get this — has an electric motor that kicks in when your legs give out. The motor’s battery charge is good for around 20 miles of travel, at speeds up to 20 mph, and a secondary battery can be enlisted to add another 20 miles. Target buyers for the A2B are carless urbanites, but just about anybody with a short commute and a long grumble about hefty gas prices ought to check it out. Ditto for anybody looking for an eco-friendly alternative to the family car for running local errands. The A2B weighs around 73 pounds, but it’s designed to let the rider get around on pedal power alone: the tires are fat, the seat is plush, and the ride is comfy. http://ultramotor.com/usa/index.aspx

Green Bag

Start with some twigs, maybe some leaves, and some old cactus chunks, and — abracadabra — here’s the Gutesha Dust handbag (from $875), a singular, handmade creation that’s functional, stylish, and eco-oriented. Fibers are natural and minimally processed, and components like handles use reclaimed woods. The bag is sold exclusively at Fred Segal Green, an eco-friendly boutique in Santa Monica, Calif. fredsegalgreen.com

Sparkles Aplenty

Picture a gleaming sparkler of a 2.5-carat princess-cut center stone — and there you have the heart of the eye-catching Omega Princess ring. Weighing a total of four carats, this ring features more than 100 pavé set round stones, and the metal is your choice of white or yellow 14-karat gold or platinum. At its widest point, the ring measures an impressive 11 mm. Were the stones diamonds, the price would easily top $80,000. But this dazzler of a woman’s ring makes much the same big impression at a more affordable $1,895. ziamond.com

The IT Phone

This year’s holiday season may be a slow one for gadgets, but the one “it” product is the new G1 phone from T-Mobile, also known as the Google Phone because the device is powered by Google software. You don’t buy this phone to make calls, although it does that very well. The reason to buy it is that it’s a tiny (5.6 ounces, 117 x 55 x 16 mm) but powerful, super-fast pocket computer that puts Web surfing in your hands, wherever you are. Suddenly want to know the weather in Miami? Activate the browser, and seconds later you’ll know exactly how sunny it is. The G1 also handles e-mail, and there’s a built-in QWERTY keyboard. Worried that you’ll be longing for that other hot phone with a touch screen? No need. The G1 also has a touch screen that lets you execute most commands with a quick tap. t-mobileg1.com

Winning Cookware

At this price ($499), you almost expect these Gordon Ramsay–designed pots to curse at you. They don’t, but this nonetheless is a top-quality, 10-piece stainless steel cookware set, created by the foul-mouthed super-chef (star of Hell’s Kitchen) and manufactured by Royal Doulton. Some chefs put their name on flimsy cookware, but not Ramsay.  These pots may not win you a Michelin star, but they will last — and look handsome in the kitchen. royaldoulton.com

Manly Rocks

Real men wear diamonds — that’s the message from Gems by Chao, which insists that nowadays even the manliest guys just feel better about life when they are wearing rocks that sparkle. The key is buying jewelry that has been designed specifically for men, and that is where Gems by Chao excels. Timeless designs and masculine motifs define this jewelry. A vivid for-instance is the men’s contemporary diamond bracelet ($17,500). Made of 18-karat gold, with 24 round floating diamonds (totaling 2.55 carats), it’s custom-made in your choice of white gold, yellow gold, or a combination of the two. The look is sporty and appropriate for just about anywhere, from the golf course to a black-tie New Year’s Eve gala, but this jewelry is also made to last. gemsbychao.com