We at Luxist want you to be prepared and properly educated for all situations. Summer wedding season is nigh, so here is our guide to wedding gifts, created with the help of NYC Lifestyle Concierge Lora Chio, a personal shopper to the Manhattan elite. Lora answered all our etiquette questions and gave us some great ideas -- tips for brides and grooms getting ready to register, too!

Luxist: If you can't make the wedding, do you still have to send a gift?

Lora Chio: If you get an invitation, you have to send a gift. Yup. This means that if you don't know the bride, but she invites you to her shower, you need to send a gift (regardless of whether or not you attend; regardless of whether or not she knows your name).

L: Is sending money ever okay? How much should you send?

LC: The unspoken rule of thumb for giving cash is to basically pay for your plates. For example, if you are at a wedding where you believe the reception rings in at $100 per head, and you were allowed to bring a date, you should give $200. That's just a starting point -- many other considerations should be made before you decide on a dollar amount:

• How close are you with the couple? Very? Give a little more.
• Did they give you money at your wedding? If yes, you should give the same amount (or $1 more, just to be clever).
• Did you have to travel for the wedding (and therefore pay for a hotel, a rental car, plane tickets, etc.)? Feel free to knock the dollar amount back a little -- you've already done a lot to be there for the special day.

L: When it is okay to get a gift that's not on the registry?

LC: Buying off-registry is totally acceptable if you feel like you know the bride or groom well enough to give them something they will love. Registries were designed to give a newly married couple a little boost -- a starter kit, if you will. While registering for gifts is very exciting (you get to point a gun at stuff!), many trigger-happy couples regret having to keep half of Bloomingdale's in their storage units because their 700 sq ft apartment doesn't have room for soft-boiled egg cups.

L: What's a good example of an appropriate off-registry gift?

LC: The key to success with a rogue gift (i.e. not on the registry) is having an alternative that you are sure the couple will love. I like to do personalized gift baskets with lots of little things that will make the recipient happy. Ten years ago, before sushi was in corner delis, I sent a friend a home sushi set because she loved sushi -- I wrapped each individual piece as a gift and put them all in a big glass floor vase. She loved being able to open 35 little gifts.

L: Since you often shop for other people, you don't always know the bride and groom. Are there any safe bets for good wedding gifts -- even for people you don't know?

LC: Safe bets for good wedding gifts are often consumable -- something that can be used up and help create a experience for the couple long after the circus has left town. Everyone loves getting nice wine, tickets to a great show, gift certificates for fancy dinners, but if you want to give a tangible present, here are some of my favorite things to give and get:

LC: Actually, I have two more.

We chatted with 1-800-FLOWERS.com bouquet designer Juiie Mulligan about what makes a Mother's Day bouquet really special and luxurious.

She gave us some tips and told us all about spotamom.com, a 1-800-FLOWERS.com project which recommends different bouquets for moms by "type;" like a New Mom, a Pet Lover Mom, a Foodie Mom, and so on. Have a look through our gallery to see all Julie Mulligan's elegant and cheerful designs, get tips (such as adding flowering branches to a colorful bouquet like she did at right), and plan a decadently beautiful floral gift for your mother this year -- even if she's the type who already has everything she wants, including flowers.

The site also allows readers to share stories about moms they know and win $100 gift certificates. If you have a good Mom story, enter it by April 29th and she (or you) could even win a Beaches Resorts trip to Jamaica or the Turks and Caicos.

According to Julie Mulligan, luxury is all about personalization.

The last batch of Harry Winston watches I saw were complex technical marvels with highly unique designs suitable enough for magazine covers. Now the shock-watch luxury brand brings a more elegant lady's watch to the table with the "Talk To Me, Harry Winston" watch. It isn't obvious when you view the watch, but it has a little gimmick to it. Consider the fictional "king of diamonds" who for pleasure rolls loose diamonds in his hands and between his fingers. This concept is metaphorically transcended into the Talk To Me, Harry Winston watch via a roller on the side of the watch (that bears the title of the watch). This roller can be spun to reveal the entire title of the watch, as well as the 24 diamonds on the ring as is spins around the watch case - something to do with your hands when idle. According to the name of the timepiece, you may even speak to it, but don't expect it to talk back.

With an 18k white gold case bearing 290 applied diamonds, the glitzy sun-burst pattern makes for a striking, but simple woman's timepiece. There is also an even more 'diamondier" version of the watch with a full 340 diamonds on the case. Inside the watch is a Swiss quartz movement and the strap is satin. Look for a release at Baselworld soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Valentine's Day just isn't complete without a glass of good wine. Instead of focusing on the most expensive and impressive wines available I decided to add to the ambiance with romantically-inclined labels to help set the mood. Fun, fanciful and approved by cupid these wines or vineyards pay tribute to heartfelt emotions and amorous longings celebrated each year on February 14th. This list should at least get your gears turning in the right direction:

• Seduction from O'Brien Estate, California
• Cupids Arrow from Wild Rock Winery, New Zealand
• Amore Winery, Pennsylvania
• Valentine Vineyards, California
• Terra Valentine, California
• Loves Leap Vineyard & Winery, Kentucky

If none of these fit your Valentine's plans perhaps a pink-hued champagne would strike the right, bubbly note.

The thought of confused men wandering aimlessly around the lingerie sections of department stores this time of year makes me laugh, and it also makes me wonder how many men actually buy lingerie as Valentine's Day gifts? I think these days it's more about women buying it for themselves, and then the wearing of it is the gift for the man in their lives. Lingerie can be expensive, but I think it's totally worth the splurge. After all, it's one of the few things that makes both people happy.

So ... red, white, or black? That is the question.

Who doesn't like package deals especially when it comes to 'wow-ing' your honey on Valentine's Day. Mauboussin, a French jeweler known for capturing emotion in their exquisite pieces, is offering a fantastic deal in partnership with Eleven Madison Park. If a patron purchases $1,500 worth of jewelry at Mauboussin's flagship store on Madison Avenue they will be treated to a complimentary three-course lunch including wine, tax and gratuity on Valentine's Day at the nearby French restaurant. Of all their unique glittering items, often using colored stones, the 'Sexy pour Toi' for $21,490 was my personal favorite but below in the gallery are the pieces recommended by Mauboussin to treat your Valentine this year.

Put "Valentine's Day" and "diamond ring" together and most people's minds will go to "engagement" next, but there are plenty of other reasons to give, get, or wear a diamond ring this Vday. There are anniversary bands, fashion rings, and of course the "Right Hand Ring" is growing ever more popular as women decide that they don't have to wait for a man in order to wear a beautiful diamond.

Engagement rings might be the most common type of diamond rings given and worn next week, but they certainly don't have to be the only type!

Whatever you're doing this Valentine's Day certain things are essential, and one of them is a pretty diamond necklace to complement your little black dress. Whether you hint around with hopes of getting it on vday as a gift from your sweetie or decide to treat yourself, a pretty new diamond pendant will not only make you feel beautiful this holiday but it will also be something you can wear again and again for years to come. Totally worth splurging on (this Harry Winston Snowflake is on my wish list!).

Valentine's Day just wouldn't feel right without chocolate, and although those cardboard heart boxes full of waxy chocolates are certainly nostalgic eating them can leave something to be desired. Take the romance up a notch this Vday with decadent, luxe chocolate from one of the best chocolatiers in the country. Whether you and your sweetie prefer truffles, chocolate blends that are specially formulated to go with your favorite wine, or even hot chocolate, there's something out there for every taste. And most of them are so pretty to look at you might find yourself hesitating to eat them (just for a second).

La Perla has come through with one of the finest holiday collections we've seen in years.

Above, you see a delicious pile of some of the items from the Holiday Song Collection:

• a scalloped lace pushup bra for $289
• a stretch lace panty with "flirty scalloped hem" for $168
• a silk lace-up slip with lace detail and adjustable straps for $489

Each of the items, along with the rest of the Holiday Song Collection in tasteful, lovely colors, is available for purchase from their website, LaPerlaUSA.com, or click here to locate a store near you. All pieces are displayed in artful little heaps, as above.

Being born and raised in Colorado I harbor biases towards original luxury stores that are still 'all Colorado' -- minus the web -- and speak to the alpine nature of the mountains especially. Gorsuch and Golden Bear are perfect examples of rugged glamour. Their artic designs and premium quality are incomparable. Both are located in the town of Vail right off of Bridge Street which makes it easy to get outfitted for winter weather or alpine sports at Gorsuch then crowned in gold and stones at Golden Bear across the street. The gallery below will give you just a taste of their fantastic merchandise but their apparel and jewelry are much more enjoyed when perused in person. And speaking of visiting in person...I'll be there next week to seek my own Rocky Mountain glitz for Christmas. Hooray!

'Tis the season for blankets of snow and frosted branches, ski trips and furry boots, and new handbags to match the winter white theme. Whether you are shopping at Saks, Bergdorfs, Nordstroms, Neimans or Barneys there are clean, colorless clutches, totes and hobos to suit the season. Here are a few of my favorites inspired by the holiday tune, 'White Christmas' that are chic, sophisticated and frosty including the Nablak Vernice Tote from Prada pictured above.

• Coach's Op Art Sabrina - $298 at Nordstroms
• Bottega Veneta's Medium Veneta Hobo - $1,550 at Barneys
• Yves Saint Laurent Medium Calypso Bag - $2,095 at Saks
• Dolce and Gabbana's Washed Leather Dome - $2,125 at Bergdorfs
• Escada Ostrich Shoulder Bag, Small - $3,990 at Neimans

$25,000 may sound like a hefty price for a couple of harmonicas, but not when those harmonicas have been touched by Bob Dylan himself!

In a way, this is your chance to sort-of-almost kiss Bob Dylan. In case you wanted to do that.

Hohner is the manufacturer of these luxury harmonicas. They've been making musical instruments for 151 years, so these harmonicas are definitely not just for show; they are top of the line "blues harps." Hohner claims to have had a "special relationship" with Dylan over the years.

$25,000 will get you a set of five harmonicas hand-signed by Bob Dylan, or you can purchase an individual one (still comes in a nice box) for $5,000. These are, naturally, limited edition, and may sell out before the holiday.

The Hohner Bob Dylan Marine Band Harmonicas are available only from Sam Ash.

[via Sam Ash Music - thanks, reader Ben, for the tip!]

If you've ever really listened to the lyrics to the holiday song, Santa Baby, it details quite a fabulous wish list. Looking around today trying to fulfill every item would make for a bounty of gifts, especially for just one person, but if we were to give it a shot, this is what might end up under the tree:

• 'Santa Baby, just slip a sable under the tree, for me...'
• '...Santa Baby, a '54 convertible too, light blue...'
  
• '...Santa Baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot...'
• '...Santa honey, one little thing I need, the deed, to the platinum mine...'
• '...Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex and cheques...'
• '...Come and trim my Christmas tree with some decorations bought at Tiffany's...'
  
• '...Santa Baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring...'

'Hurry down the chimney tonight...'