HERE & GONE

CALL it the iPod factor: Ever since consumers started shelling out $250 for a music player the size of a cheese slice, a steep price tag has been no guarantee of exclusivity. That’s why seasonal and limited-edition products have become increasingly popular for the holidays. Once the exclusive domain of high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus (one-man submarine, painting of your kids in chocolate, etc.), this season finds high-quality, low-availability goods cutting across all price points and categories. Here are some of the best -- and the most outlandish.

A kiss from Yves

According to YSL house lore, the heart symbol was a favorite of Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent, and one always adorned his favorite runway model. So it makes sense that one of the brand’s limited-edition offerings would be a silvery heart-shaped pendant set with four red Swarovski crystals. Inside is a cache of Rouge Pur No. 131 lipstick and a stash of Golden Gloss No. 11 lip gloss, both easily applied by using the brush hidden in the stem and the mirror inside the lid. ($62, www.yslbeautyus.com)

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Priciest seat in the house

If you’ve got a Mini Cooper’s worth of cash to blow on a pair of handmade pants for the lady in your life (and who doesn’t?), check out the “Iced” jeans made by Bishop of Seventh in collaboration with Japanese jeweler Taka Mizuno. The tush encrusted with seven carats of five-point diamonds set in 14-karat white gold should draw plenty of stares, as will the Brinks armored car that delivers each pair. ($18,000, or with considerably fewer diamonds for a mere $5,500, ladies only, Mojitos Resort Wear, [702] 770-7000.)

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Santa, meet the Reaper

Since 1964, Vans has used the lowly skate shoe as an eye-catching mini-canvas for everything from checkerboard prints to limited-edition band and cartoon art (Iron Maiden and the Simpsons among them) that manages to be both subversive and cute at the same time. This year’s seasonal slip-on is no exception -- an all-over embroidery of a grinning skull wearing a jaunty red Santa Claus cap. ($40, available at Vans retail stores and online at vans.com)

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One-man sleigh

Gap and Vespa have teamed up for a limited-edition LX 50 scooter that is easily the coolest thing Gap has produced in years. The custom paint job is called “Crazy Stripe” -- which happens to match Gap’s holiday collection of striped sweaters, scarves and baby jumpers. The hitch? You’ll need to order this two-wheeled stripe-fest from your local Vespa dealer -- and allow about two weeks for delivery. Available until Dec. 23. ($5,999, find locations at vespausa.com)

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Make it work, people

In most cases, gifting your significant other a sewing machine is the sort of misstep met with an icy glare and a boning knife -- unless that significant other is a fan of “Project Runway” and the machine in question is a limited-edition “Runway” branded home version of the computerized Brother sewing machines used on the show. The two models (the Innov-is-40 and Innov-is-80) went on sale at the start of the season and will only be sold through the finale. ($299 and $399, respectively, through authorized Brother dealers.)