The desire to give at this time of year wells up without regard to finances, and we obey, but now more than ever, these eyes are trained on bargains. So we've rifled through the best gifts of modern design searching for luxury goods at the best prices, and here they are - the lux for less...

The 2 Carat Cup
An easy way to remind your loved one that you're thinking of them - without major cost or commitment. A bright band adorned with a Swarovski crystal makes the handle of the mug, packaged as if in an extra large ring box. One caveat - if you're giving this to the girl you've been dating for eight years, you might want to back it up with the real thing.
$16 from Unica Home.

Hookmaker
Perfect for the woefully unorganized, this cup set on a tile can be seamlessly installed among other standard, 6" tiles (four screws are included) or mounted on an entryway wall to keep keys and phones at hand. $30 by Design Glut.

Bamboo Bowl
The organic, gently curving swoop of the Bamboo Spun Infinity bowl is a natural gift choice made for the lover of unique, green design. $45 at Uncommon Goods.

Tri Candle Holder
A great gift in three parts, this Lucite candle holder can be pieced together like a puzzle or spread out separately across a tabletop. $20 through 2modern.

Grobal Modern Planter
Give the gift of a green thumb courtesy of Karim Rashid's endless pursuit to invigorate the ordinary. With Grobal, Rashid's designed a self watering planter that comes complete with growing medium. We just add plant, water and let the design do all the work.
$25 for the large size, $15 for small at A+R Store.

XXD Load-Ding Device Organizer
Mobile organization will clean up the holidays for gadget loving people on your list. The Load-Ding Device plugs into any US outlet and saves electronics from dangling. $15 at A+R Store.

Modern Tic Tac Toe
A Lucite and stainless steel tic tac toe board from Boom sates an appetite for competition in great taste. Finally, an alternative to the oft redesigned modern chess board.
$36 through Boom.

Cono Thermo Cup
The insulated Thermo cup by Blomus will thrill ardent tea and coffee fans who like to take their time and savor their drinks. The stainless steel cup looks cool, stays hot - who can resist? $45 at Relish.

Illusion Wine Glasses
Modern wine glasses without the fuss of a narrow stem, a delicate, traditional form appears to float inside a much ore utilitarian glass. A set of four $75 through Uncommon Goods.

Mur Mur Vase
A vase and frame made to sit tabletop or be hung on a wall the porcelain MurMur vase looks great en masse or alone, with flowers or without. $75 through Illico.

Clear Teapot
Tea Forte's Sontu Teapot is hand blown precisely with a hole in the lid to hold the company's signature leaf and stem. $35 to please the tea lover in your life, at Tea Forte.

Modern Ant Farm
We think of it as living sculpture, and it's the only no maintenance pet we can come up with. The gel inside was developed by NASA and ants happily live in, feed off, and tunnel through the stuff, leaving their one of a kind creations behind. $29 at AntWorks.

Flora Plates
A great gift for the friend whose beach house you always seem to be at, these polypropylene plates look fresh but will become old standbys for outdoor living and easy entertaining. Set of four, $32 at Out of Gray.

Eva Solo Bird Feeder
A good idea for nature lovers with a modern sense of style, this hand-blown glass donut can be suspended just about anywhere. The shape attracts birds and keeps squirrels at bay. $60 at Feel More Human.